Commanders unveil first renderings of interior of new D.C. stadium

The Washington Commanders and the architectural firm HKS on Wednesday released the first renderings of the seating bowl inside the team's planned $3.8 billion stadium in D.C.

Much like the exterior of the stadium, the interior has design elements that intentionally harken back to the team's former home at RFK Stadium. Among them:

• An increased lower bowl capacity and better seat angles that are intended to bring fans closer to the action on the field and, in conjunction with the roof design, help create a loud environment.

• A "wall of fans" that will include "affordable, fan-friendly" seating while creating an imposing environment for opponents, according to a release from the team. The L.A. Clippers created a similar feature at Intuit Dome.

• One continuous seating bowl that rises from field level to the top level to create unobstructed views. There will be no stacked premium seating areas and minimal overhangs.

The Commanders have said the venue will have upward of 65,000 seats. It is slated to open in 2030.

Among the more modern features is a raised lower level that will create clear sightlines along the sideline. Many newer NFL stadiums have premium field-level seating or club areas that are typically some of the most expensive tickets in the venue. But the views are often obstructed by the bench areas.

Washington's new venue will also have a dynamic video board system that includes two end zone boards, sideline boards and a connecting halo that wraps around the interior of the bowl.

"Our vision for the new stadium is to create a world-class venue that honors the legacy of RFK while setting a new standard for the fan experience," Commanders president Mark Clouse said in a news release. "Every aspect of the design is intended to amplify the energy and intensity of the crowd, create an immersive shared viewing experience, and bring fans closer to the action."

The Commanders released the first concept renderings of the stadium's exterior in January, revealing multiple elements that resembled RFK Stadium, such as the wavy roofline, the transparent top that will resemble an open-air venue, the colonnade exterior and even foundations that will be fused with those of the old stadium.

"One of the things I'll say about the stadium is that it's not just a stadium," owner Josh Harris said in March. "That's a small part of what's going to be four neighborhoods and it's going to be really a community for the DMV. … We want to host amazing events. We're trying to get the Women's World Cup to play there and all the best acts will play there."

The Commanders' return to D.C. didn't become truly feasible until 2023, when Harris and his partners purchased the team for a then-record $6.05 billion. Harris made the new stadium a priority and almost immediately began to scout locations while simultaneously working with lobbyists and local officials to make the RFK Stadium site available for development.

H.R. 4984, the "Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium Campus Revitalization Act," transferred administrative control of a 180-acre plot of land from the federal government to D.C. and cleared the way for the team and District to build a stadium as well as a mixed-use development with housing, retail and entertainment space.

In September 2025, the D.C. Council approved the public-private partnership that will include an investment of roughly $1.1 billion by the city for infrastructure, parking facilities and utilities.

The Commanders touted a $2.7 billion investment (plus any overruns) to fund the stadium construction and opening-day parking garage. But part of that sum will ultimately come from fans, through personal seat licenses. The Commanders will also use the NFL's G-5 loan program, which allows them to borrow up to $300 million that they can repay with funds that would otherwise be subject to league revenue sharing.

As part of their agreement with the city, the Commanders will pay a minimal rent -- $1 annually -- for the stadium, parking facilities and commercial development, and no property taxes.

This article originally appeared in The Athletic.