D.C. Council Makes Final Decision on Commanders Stadium

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Josh Valdez | Last updated Sep 17, 2025 8:15 PM ET

No sports organization has changed as much as the Washington Commanders in recent years. From their team name to ownership to the roster, the new-look Commanders couldn't be more different than before.

The franchise's fortunes started to shift when investor Josh Harris took over as controlling owner in 2023. It never made the NFC Championship game under Dan Snyder's reign, which spanned from the 1999-2022 seasons. However, it finally made it to that point in 2024, just the second year under Harris.

This wouldn't have happened without quarterback Jayden Daniels, whom general manager Adam Peters drafted No. 2 overall last year. Peters had taken over just three months prior, and his first draft choice was one of the best in franchise history. Daniels won the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award after notching 3,568 passing yards on a 69 percent completion rate with 25 touchdowns and nine picks, as well as 891 rushing yards (six per carry) with six scores.

To recap, the franchise changed its name from the Washington Football Team to the Washington Commanders in 2022. Then, it changed its owner in 2023 before hiring Peters and head coach Dan Quinn in 2024. After that, it drafted a star quarterback and had its best season since it won Super Bowl XXVI in 1991.

Now, the Commanders will officially have a new home by 2030, via ESPN's John Keim.

"The Commanders' return to Washington is finally official as the District of Columbia Council voted in favor of the measure once more -- an expected outcome given its vote more than a month ago," he reported on Wednesday.

"The Council voted 11-2 on Wednesday to approve the RFK Stadium Project, allowing the team to return to the site it called home for more than three decades," he continued.

The Commanders have played at Northwest Stadium (formerly FedEx Field) in Landover, Maryland, since 1997. They previously played at D.C.'s RFK Stadium from 1961-1996, and plan to return to the new version of it that's currently being built.

It’s over. Homeward bound… https://t.co/PNFxSfvsSE
— John Keim (@john_keim) September 17, 2025

Commanders Continue Exciting New Era

On top of the franchise's recent success, its Washington-based fans now get to celebrate a more convenient stadium location. Landover is approximately 10 miles outside of the city, while RFK is in D.C.'s southeast quadrant.

This move is still five years down the line, but the fanbase has plenty to be excited about until then, too. Daniels and the new regime are just in their second year, and they have time to win a Super Bowl before they leave Landover.

Up next for the Commanders is a home date with the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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