Clark Construction Group, Mortenson and Smoot Construction Company of Washington, D.C., have been selected to build the new Washington Commanders stadium at the former RFK Stadium site in Washington, D.C.
The three companies will work as Clark, Mortenson, and SmootDC, a joint venture, to deliver the approximately 1.8-million-square-foot venue, which will become the Commanders’ new home and a year-round sports and entertainment destination.
The Washington Commanders announced the selection on August 11, 2026, marking a major step toward construction of the approximately 65,000-seat enclosed stadium. The project targets completion in spring 2030.
The joint venture combines three construction firms with experience delivering major sports and entertainment venues.
Clark Construction has delivered prominent Washington-area projects including Nationals Park and Capital One Arena. Mortenson brings experience from major NFL stadiums such as Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas and U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.
Smoot Construction Company of Washington, D.C., adds decades of experience in the District and a long history of working with local and small businesses.
That combination gives the Commanders a construction team with experience on complex stadium projects as well as an established presence in the Washington region.
The Commanders said the team’s stadium experience, local commitment and focus on community impact helped drive the selection.
1.8 Million-Square-Foot Stadium Planned at Former RFK Site
The new stadium will anchor a planned 180-acre campus at the former RFK Stadium site.
The approximately 65,000-seat facility will feature an enclosed, climate-controlled environment designed to support events throughout the year. The broader campus will have the capacity to host more than 200 events annually, including sporting events, concerts, community festivals and national celebrations.
Sustainability, advanced technology and an immersive fan experience will also play major roles in the stadium’s design.
The project therefore extends beyond providing a new home for the Commanders. The stadium is being planned as a year-round destination that can attract sports and entertainment events beyond the NFL schedule.
Main Stadium Construction Set for Spring 2027
Today’s builder selection does not mean the main stadium construction has already started.
Enabling work to prepare the former RFK site began in June 2026. The Commanders expect construction of the new stadium itself to begin in spring 2027, with completion targeted for spring 2030.
That puts the project in an important transition period. Site preparation is underway, while the newly selected joint venture prepares to take the project into its main construction phase next year.
The three-year construction window will culminate in a new enclosed venue capable of operating throughout the year.
$3.7 Billion Development Deal
The stadium is part of a roughly $3.7 billion development agreement between the Commanders and the District of Columbia. The Commanders have committed $2.7 billion, while the District will provide roughly $1 billion toward the stadium and broader development at the RFK site.
Local Businesses and Workers Part of Construction Strategy
The Commanders are also tying the construction program to local economic participation.
The team has prioritized Certified Business Enterprise participation and hiring D.C. residents, with the goal of directing a larger share of the project’s economic benefits toward businesses and workers in the District.
That emphasis is particularly significant given the scale of the development. The Commanders describe the stadium and broader site development as a generational opportunity and the largest private investment in Washington, D.C.’s history.
The selected builders also bring established relationships and experience in the local construction market, which the Commanders say will support the project’s broader community objectives.
A New Stadium Joins Washington’s Major Venue Investments
The Commanders’ stadium is emerging alongside another major sports-venue transformation in Washington.
Recently, Monumental Sports & Entertainment unveiled new renderings for the ongoing $1 billion-plus transformation of Capital One Arena. The designs show the arena’s planned new exterior, upgraded District and Terrace levels, new gathering spaces, a food hall and the Visibowl as construction advances toward completion in 2027.
The two projects represent different stages of Washington’s current sports-venue investment. Capital One Arena is already undergoing its transformation, while the Commanders’ new stadium is moving from site preparation toward main construction.
Together, they point to a significant period of investment in the District’s sports and entertainment infrastructure.
New Stadium Targets 2030 Opening
Once completed, the new Commanders stadium will replace the team’s current home outside Washington and return the franchise to the District.
The venue’s enclosed design, large capacity and ability to host more than 200 events annually are intended to make it a year-round destination rather than a facility used primarily for football.
With the construction team now selected, the next major milestone will be the start of main stadium construction in spring 2027.
If the current schedule holds, the approximately 65,000-seat venue will be completed in spring 2030 and anchor the redevelopment of the former RFK Stadium site.
New Washington Commanders Stadium Factsheet
- Project: New Washington Commanders Stadium
- Location: Former RFK Stadium site, Washington, D.C.
- Construction team: Clark Construction Group, Mortenson and Smoot Construction Company of Washington, D.C.
- Joint venture: Clark | Mortenson | SmootDC
- Size: Approximately 1.8 million square feet
- Capacity: Approximately 65,000 seats
- Cost: $3.7 Billion
- Facility: Enclosed, climate-controlled stadium
- Campus: Approximately 180 acres
- Annual events: More than 200
- Enabling work: Began June 2026
- Main stadium construction: Expected to begin spring 2027
- Target completion: Spring 2030
- Primary tenant: Washington Commanders
- Key priorities: Sustainability, advanced technology, fan experience, CBE participation and D.C. resident hiring
Leave a Reply