The Washington Commanders and HKS have unveiled the first conceptual renderings of the team’s new, world-class stadium. The roofed stadium will be a dynamic, year-round destination for sports, entertainment, and community engagement, integrating sustainable design practices and reimagining the fan experience through immersive spaces.
HKS was selected as the lead architect for the stadium in November and has developed this first round of visuals in partnership with the Commanders team. HKS’ portfolio includes SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. As illustrated in the renderings, the proposed stadium, which will be able to accommodate up to 70,000 plus people, is envisioned as a catalyst for surrounding mixed-use development, delivering lasting value for District residents while serving as both a neighborhood gathering place and a national stage.
“We are proud to share the first visuals of our future stadium, a defining milestone in the next phase of the development process,” said Mark Clouse, president of the Washington Commanders. “This moment underscores the strength of our partnership with HKS, whose thoughtful, forward-looking approach has helped us shape a concept that is worthy of its extraordinary site along D.C.’s Monumental Axis and truly embodies the spirit and character of the District. We are deeply grateful to the District and the Mayor for their leadership, collaboration, and continued support, which have been instrumental in bringing this vision to life.
“From the beginning, our focus has been on delivering a best-in-class experience for Commanders fans while honoring the legacy of RFK Stadium and our team,” Clouse added. “We’re designing a stadium that amplifies the energy of football, supports year-round events, and becomes a place the community can be proud of. We look forward to hearing feedback from our community as the design continues to evolve.”
“HKS is honored to work on one of the world’s most extraordinary sports and entertainment sites, and this project calls for an equally extraordinary response. Every design decision is guided by the significance of place—shaped by its local, regional, and national history and generations of memories rooted in RFK Stadium,” said Mark A. Williams, FAIA, HKS global venues director. “Monumental in presence, grounded in the L’Enfant Plan and scaled to the urban fabric of the District, the stadium design will be a bold civic landmark that carries the city’s architectural legacy forward in a way that is confident, dynamic and unmistakably Washington, D.C.”
“These renderings give D.C. a lot to look forward to—a beautiful and unique waterfront stadium and the return of our Commanders; year-round events that are steps away from an entertainment district and public transportation; and, of course, jobs for D.C. residents and new opportunities for D.C. businesses,” said Mayor Muriel Bowser. “I’m grateful for the shared commitment from both the Commanders and HKS to designing an iconic stadium that honors the history of our city – and our skyline—while also being a true catalyst for future opportunity at the RFK campus.”
Located on the former RFK Stadium site and aligned with the L’Enfant Plan, the project expands the existing waterfront and park experience while enhancing the surrounding recreational network through new outdoor plazas, public spaces and green areas. Guided by the goal of long-term accessibility, the stadium’s design ensures at least 30 percent of the site will be dedicated to active and passive recreation.
Designed to link the city’s historic core with the Anacostia River and neighboring landscapes, the stadium will feature a sculpted, transparent domed roof that establishes a dynamic yet respectful profile rising to welcome visitors from the north and south while maintaining a lower presence along the east–west axis in deference to the U.S. Capitol and monuments. Drawing inspiration from the legacy of RFK Stadium, the design emphasizes openness, continuity and shared experience, with a continuous colonnade strengthening the relationship between the public realm and the interior and reinforcing the stadium’s role as a unifying civic landmark.
In collaboration with the District of Columbia and the Commanders, HKS participated in a series of community engagement sessions to inform the evolving design through input from local leaders and residents, with additional meetings planned through January. Stadium construction is anticipated to be completed in 2030.
