Washington council debates Audi Field roof plan as $300M public share draws scrutiny

Full report

The D.C. Council's Committee of the Whole held a public hearing on October 23 on the Soccer Stadium Redevelopment and Maintenance Act of 2026 (Bill 26-769). Introduced by Council Chair Phil Mendelson, the bill would authorize the Mayor to enter a public-private financing agreement with D.C. United to redevelop Audi Field.

The project totals about $620 million: roughly $300 million from the District and about $320 million from D.C. United. The core work is a climate-controlled roof and roughly 8,000 additional seats, taking capacity from about 19,000 to 28,000, to suit Major League Soccer's shift to a year-round calendar starting in 2027, with games in colder months.

The bill also creates a Soccer Stadium Preservation and Improvement Fund, offers tax exemptions on excess site revenue, and commits D.C. United to an ancillary housing development of nearly 500 units, including affordable homes and homes for seniors.

The hearing exposed clear divisions. Ward 6 Councilmember Charles Allen, whose ward includes Audi Field, said he wants a cap on the District's commitment, warning otherwise of an open-ended liability. Councilmember Elissa Silverman pressed D.C. United officials on why a profitable club needs public dollars. D.C. United's head of business operations, Danita Johnson, replied that in the long term the project would put dollars back into the city.

The stadium's other tenant, the Washington Spirit, took a neutral stance but asked for concrete protections on its operations, scheduling and facilities. The public comment period runs until 5:00 p.m. on November 6, and the Council is expected to deliberate further before any amendments or votes.