ASHBURN, Virginia — Washington leaders have paid more than $100 million for a plot of land in Virginia, a potential next step in building a new stadium, as well as numerous retail stores, restaurants and apartments.
According to a source familiar with the purchase, the leaders paid just over $100 million for about 200 acres. The deal was finalized late last week, but has not yet been submitted to Prince William County, the site of the land. One source described it as the team’s preferred location for a new stadium, but other options remain open.
There is an opportunity that the franchisor will purchase another 65 to 70 acres at a location approximately 23 miles from Washington, D.C., and will be within easy reach of the I-95 exit in Woodbridge, Virginia. It would be approximately 80 miles from Richmond.
Leaders loved this site because of how it was developed. According to a source, their plans include a 60,000-seat domed stadium – which can be used year-round – as well as: a team training facility; amphitheater with a capacity of 15,000 to 20,000; small indoor music plaza; high end retail stores; Bars, restaurants and residential living. The roof will be translucent and the colors of the stadium facade can change – it will be white during the day, and, for example, burgundy at night.
Washington wants to leave FedEx Field, which was built by former owner Jack Kent Cooke and opened in 1997. The team owns the stadium as well as surrounding property, but their contract to play at that location expires in 2026. They can renew it and stay longer, if necessary.
Before approving a site, the team needs to know how much money the state and Prince William County are willing to commit before finalizing plans for construction.
This is why they keep options open in Maryland and the District of Columbia as well as other locations in Virginia. Maryland said it will spend $400 million to develop the area around the FedEx field in Landover, Maryland. The team will then build a domed stadium next to their current home. Washington is still searching for land in Loudoun County, near the current training facility.
The team would like to return to the District of Columbia at RFK Stadium, their home from 1961 to 1966. But, being on federal soil, several government hurdles keep this out of reach.
The Virginia legislature continues to debate the creation of a stadium authority that would allow money to help pay for the new Leaders Stadium. Under one proposal, the leaders would receive $350 million from Virginia.
It is uncertain how much money the leaders themselves will spend to build a stadium.
The purchase comes amid an ongoing investigation into the leader’s owner, Dan Snyder. Both Congress and the NFL continue to examine allegations of sexual misconduct, which Snyder has vehemently denied. They also responded to the allegations of financial wrongdoing with a 105-page letter sent to the Federal Trade Commission, with emails and signed affidavits they say prove their innocence. Attorneys general offices in Virginia and the District of Columbia said they would investigate the financial claims.