The preliminary proposal would reportedly add 8,000 seats to Audi Field, taking its capacity beyond the current 20,000, while also installing a “climate-controlling” roof. The aim is clear: make the home of D.C. United more reliable through winter and more attractive for events throughout the year.
The stadium already hosts football, rugby, lacrosse, concerts and other events. D.C. United are also expected to move to an autumn-to-spring league calendar in 2027, increasing the importance of a venue designed for colder, wetter months.
Mendelson called the legislation a “first step” towards a public hearing in the autumn. The bill remains subject to change.
The District would reportedly commit $300 million, paid in annual instalments over five years, while D.C. United would contribute $360 million and cover potential overruns under the proposed arrangement.
That public investment will demand a convincing return. The proposal says ticket, concession and merchandise sales could help repay the city’s share, but the political debate is likely to extend beyond football. Any redevelopment backed by public funds must demonstrate benefits for residents who may never attend a match.
The wider scheme includes 467 homes, including affordable senior and general affordable housing, alongside retail, offices and public open space.
Club chief executive and chairman Jason Levine previously said a city partnership was needed to “future proof” the stadium. That vision would make Audi Field more than a soccer ground: it would become a year-round sports and entertainment district.
The next major storyline is the public hearing and the scrutiny that follows. Until then, the expansion remains a proposal-but one that could reshape D.C. United’s place in Washington for decades.