BREAKING: Trump to Attend Lions-Commanders Game, Join Military Halftime Tribute — and Push for Commanders’ New $3.7B D.C. Stadium to Be Named After Him.
President Donald Trump will attend Sunday’s Detroit Lions-Washington Commanders game at Northwest Stadium as Josh Harris’ guest. Sources confirm back-channel talks with the Commanders’ ownership group express Trump’s desire for the new $3.7 billion domed stadium in D.C. to bear his name. The venue, set for the old RFK site by 2030, marks the team’s return to the capital.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt stated Trump made the stadium’s rebuilding possible, calling his name “beautiful” for it. A senior official told ESPN it’s likely to happen. Trump will join halftime military honors, with the team preparing for potential stadium discussions during his visit.
The Commanders hold naming rights, typically sold to sponsors for millions. However, a source says honoring an individual like Trump could be separate. Final approval rests with D.C. Council and National Park Service, as the land is federal and leased by the district.
In April, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, Mayor Muriel Bowser, and Harris announced the RFK project. The Commanders invest $2.7 billion, covering overruns, for a 65,000-seat stadium plus housing and retail—the largest D.C. development ever. The district adds $1 billion.
Trump previously threatened to block construction unless the team reverts from Commanders to the old Redskins name, dropped in 2020 over Native American concerns. Some fans want the original back, but no formal naming talks have occurred yet.
The RFK site holds deep sentiment, home from 1961-1996. Most NFL stadiums feature corporate sponsors, like GEHA Field at Arrowhead. A few, including Lambeau Field, honor individuals without sponsors—Trump seeks similar tribute.
Trump’s properties often carry his name, with recent pushes like renaming the Kennedy Center. Sources say he has leverage via approvals and environmental processes to ensure his wish, without buying the rights.
The game offers a platform for Trump to advance his stadium vision amid military tributes. As construction looms, D.C. officials and the NFL face pressure on this unprecedented personal naming request.
