Emotions were running high as the Washington Commanders officially confirmed their return to D.C. Josh Harris is putting his money where his mouth is, and the team is now ready to move back to its spiritual home.
Harris, together with Mayor Muriel Bowser and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, confirmed the old RFK Stadium site will be the new home of the Commanders from the 2030 season, pending approval from the city council. Barring any drastic setbacks, Washington's football franchise is coming home at long last.
This was among Harris's biggest priorities after wrestling the Commanders from Dan Snyder's grasp. He grew up watching Washington at RFK during some of the team's glory days. Now, he's spearheading the project to bring this football powerhouse to its rightful place.
Commanders' stadium return to D.C. hailed as defining moment in franchise history
The billionaire hailed this as a defining moment for the Commanders and the entire DMV (D.C., Maryland, and Virginia). Harris is honoring the past while harboring big ambitions for the future. This starts by regenerating a site that has been left to rot for the best part of three decades.
"Today is a defining moment for the DMV and the Washington Commanders. RFK Stadium holds a legendary place in our history – it's where the team dominated the NFL, capturing three Super Bowls and creating unforgettable memories for fans. Now, we have the opportunity to honor that legacy by building a new world-class stadium – one that is also a once-in-a-generation catalyst for uplifting and transforming our region."Josh Harris via Commanders.com
A timeline for events leading up to the stadium's grand opening was also revealed. Here's what fans can expect in the coming years before the Commanders get their new home.
Summer 2025: The plans, which include at least $2.7 billion from the Commanders to fund the project (the largest private investment in D.C. history), are set for council approval. Hopefully, there will be enough support behind the proposals to keep complications to a minimum.
Summer/Fall 2025: Planning will commence for parks, housing, and recreation around the stadium.
Fall/Winter 2026: Stadium site ground-breaking. This will probably be preceded by the RFK Stadium demolition and the great memories this historic building once held.
Early 2029: Plaza site ground-breaking.
Summer 2030: Sportsplex ribbon-cutting, barring any unforeseen delays during construction.
Fall 2030: The stadium will officially open during Washington's season opener for the 2030 campaign.
Getting approval is the first part. After that, it's all systems go for the 180-acre project, which will confirm Washington's status as an industry leader both on and off the field.
Harris preached the importance of restoring faith in the fanbase and the wider community after assuming ownership. Snyder brought nothing but embarrassment, scandal, and disgrace to the franchise. Washington became one of the stains on the league. Now, it's one of its shining lights once again.
This is a monumental moment in franchise history. It's also another sign that Harris means business and will stop at nothing to ensure the Commanders become the heartbeat of the region and the NFL itself.