FILE - People make their way to RFK Stadium in Washington before the start of an MLS soccer match between D.C. United and ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ FC, Saturday, Aug. 5, 2017. D.C. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais, File)
FILE - Washington Commanders controlling owner Josh Harris, center, is passed a helmet to sign next to District of Columbia Mayor Muriel Bowser, right, after announcing a new home for the NFL football team on the site of the old RFK Stadium, Monday, April 28, 2025, at the National Press Club in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, File)
Washington Commanders’ return to DC clears another hurdle with preliminary council approval
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Washington Commanders’ hopes of returning to the site of their former home at RFK Stadium cleared a significant hurdle Friday when the District of Columbia Council approved the legislation.
FILE - People make their way to RFK Stadium in Washington before the start of an MLS soccer match between D.C. United and ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ FC, Saturday, Aug. 5, 2017. D.C. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais, File)
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Washington Commanders’ hopes of returning to the site of their former home at RFK Stadium cleared a significant hurdle Friday when the District of Columbia Council approved the legislation.
The bill passed by a 9-3 vote, but it still must be approved a second time by the council before being sent to Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser, who negotiated the original plan with Commanders owner Josh Harris in April.
The Commanders currently play at Northwest Stadium in Landover, Maryland, but aim to open a new venue in 2030.
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The ownership group led by Harris has been considering locations in Washington, Maryland and Virginia since in 2022. transferring the RFK Stadium land to the city that was signed by then-President Joe Biden .
That paved the way for making it possible to replace the old stadium with a mixed-use development, including the new playing field for the Commanders.
However, federal support for the stadium project unless the team . That issue did not come up during Friday’s council meeting.
Council Chairman Phil Mendelson’s office recently estimated the redevelopment could generate $26.6 billion in tax revenue over 30 years. The district would contribute $1 billion toward the stadium project, while the team would fund the remaining $2.7 billion.
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