The Washington Commanders and global design firm HKS have unveiled the first conceptual renderings of the franchise’s proposed new home on the site of the old RFK Stadium.

Designed by HKS, the roofed, 70,000+ seat venue is envisioned as a year-round hub for sports, entertainment and community activity. HKS — whose portfolio includes SoFi Stadium, US Bank Stadium and AT&T Stadium — which was selected as lead architect in November, and has planned the new Commander stadium as a centrepiece of a broader mixed-use development aligned with the L’Enfant Plan and the District’s Monumental Axis.

“We are proud to share the first visuals of our future stadium, a defining milestone in the next phase of the development process,” Commanders president Mark Clouse said. “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 DC’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.”

Clouse said the design prioritises both fans and the surrounding community, as the Commanders return from self-imposed exile in Maryland following the decision to leave the original RFK Stadium in 1996.

“From the beginning, our focus has been on delivering a best-in-class experience for Commanders fans while honouring the legacy of RFK Stadium and our team,” he said. “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.”

According to HKS, the stadium is intended to serve as a civic landmark while respecting Washington’s historic skyline. The design features a sculpted, transparent domed roof and a continuous colonnade meant to reinforce openness and connectivity between the public realm and the interior. The building’s massing is designed to rise to the north and south while maintaining a lower profile along the east–west axis to preserve views of the US Capitol and other monuments.

“HKS is honoured to work on one of the world’s most extraordinary sports and entertainment sites, and this project calls for an equally extraordinary response,” said Mark A. Williams FAIA, the company’s global venues director. “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. 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, DC.”

District leaders emphasised the project’s broader economic and community impact.

“These renderings give DC 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 DC residents and new opportunities for DC businesses,” Mayor Muriel Bowser said. “I’m grateful for the shared commitment from both the Commanders and HKS to designing an iconic stadium that honours the history of our city – and our skyline – while also being a true catalyst for future opportunity at the RFK campus.”

Plans call for the stadium to expand the existing waterfront and park experience along the Anacostia River, with new outdoor plazas, public spaces and green areas. At least 30 percent of the site is slated for active and passive recreation, with the goal of long-term public accessibility.

HKS and the Commanders have already held multiple community engagement sessions with District residents and local leaders, with additional meetings planned through January. Stadium construction is anticipated to be completed in 2030.