KEY POINTS
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The Washington Commanders selected Clark Construction Group, Mortenson and Smoot Construction Company of Washington, DC to lead construction of a new stadium in the District.
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The enclosed venue will anchor a planned 180-acre campus designed to host more than 200 events annually, including sporting events, concerts and community festivals.
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Preparatory work began in June, while the project team is targeting a spring 2027 construction start and spring 2030 completion.
The Washington Commanders have selected a joint venture of Clark Construction Group, Mortenson, and Smoot Construction Company of Washington, DC to lead construction of a new stadium at the site of the former RFK Stadium in Washington, DC.
The Clark, Mortenson, and SmootDC joint venture team will lead construction of the Commanders’ approximately 1.8-million-square-foot home field, an enclosed venue with about 65,000 seats. The stadium is planned as the anchor of a 180-acre campus, according to the Commanders’ Aug. 11 announcement.
Anticipated Construction Timeline
Enabling work to prepare the former RFK Stadium site began in June. Construction of the new Washington Commanders Stadium is anticipated to begin in spring 2027, with completion targeted for spring 2030.
The announcement did not provide a total project cost although a 2025 announcement from local officials and the Commanders put the cost around $3.6 billion. The team described the stadium and broader site development as a generational opportunity and the single largest private investment in Washington, DC’s history.
Construction Joint Venture Brings Experience and Focus to the Build
The joint venture combines Clark’s long-standing presence in the Washington region with Mortenson’s experience delivering large sports and entertainment facilities and Smoot's local construction history.
The firms’ previous sports and entertainment work includes Nationals Park and Capital One Arena in Washington, as well as Allegiant Stadium and U.S. Bank Stadium. The partners said that experience will support delivery of the Commanders’ new venue while creating opportunities for local businesses and residents.
“Their combined experience building some of the most iconic venues in professional sports, together with their strong presence in the DC region and commitment to community impact, made them the clear choice for this transformational project,” Matt Haas, head of construction for the Washington Commanders, said in the announcement.
Stadium Sets Big Expectations for Jobs, Fans, and the Local Economy
The Commanders said the climate-controlled facility is intended to provide a year-round fan experience and support more than 200 events annually.
Officials noted that the planned event calendar includes global sporting events, concerts, community festivals, and national celebrations.
Lee DeLong, group CEO of Clark Construction Group, described the stadium as a potential civic landmark and a catalyst for economic growth and community connection. DeLong added that the company’s work in DC has included projects that helped define the local skyline.
A rendering of the Washington Commanders new stadium at the site of the former RFK Stadium in Washington, DC. The stadium is planned as the anchor of a 180-acre campus, according to the Commanders’ Aug. 11 announcement. Image: Washington Commanders
Sustainability, advanced technology and an immersive fan experience are expected to be central elements of the stadium’s design, according to the statement from the team.
The Commanders said the stadium and broader site development are intended to deliver jobs and fuel economic growth in the District of Columbia.
Mortenson said its sports and entertainment team will bring experience from U.S. Bank Stadium and Allegiant Stadium to the project.
Logan Gerken, vice president and general manager of Mortenson Sports + Entertainment, said the company’s focus will include delivery certainty as well as the stadium’s broader role in the community.
The Commanders said they prioritized participation by Certified Business Enterprises, or CBEs, and hiring DC residents. The team said the strategy is intended to direct economic benefits from the project to local businesses and workers over the long term.
Smoot Construction has operated in the Washington region for nearly six decades. Mark S. Cain, the company’s president and CEO, said the firm’s participation will continue its work with minority- and small-business partners and local residents.
Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser said the Commanders and the joint venture share a commitment to building an iconic stadium while creating opportunities for DC businesses and residents.
Bowser described the project as a step toward transforming the 180-acre Anacostia waterfront site into a broader destination with housing, entertainment, and public space.
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