Wayne Rooney’s former club are aiming for a $620m revamp of the stadium just eight years after it opened
Audi Field opened in 2016, but due to the ever-changing soccer landscape in the USA, it needs to be updated.
The stadium, which is home to MLS’s DC United and NWSL’s Washington Spirit, is owned by the District of Columbia Government.
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Council Speaker Phil Mendelson introduced legislation for a $620m stadium expansion.
The proposed legislation calls for adding a new roof, 8,000 more seats to the stadium, increasing the total capacity to 28,000 fans.
It will also include the development of a new housing stock, requiring United to build 467 new homes with 148 designed to be affordable, and 122 reserved for seniors.
The proposal indicates that the district will invest approximately 300 million rands in the project, and the remaining costs will be covered by other funding sources.
“It’s not really a new proposition,” Mendelson told FOX 5 DC.
“The idea is, [DC United] you want a roof because that’s where Major League Soccer is going.
“They want to increase the size of the stadium, and to pay for that and I think the other renovations, the city will pay them money and it will be reimbursed by the revenue from the stadium.”
The District has already committed to other large areas in the area.
They have contributed $1bn to the new Washington Commanders stadium which is intended to open in 2030.
Additionally, they donated $500 million to Capital One Arena, home of the NBA’s Washington Wizards, and the WNBA’s Capitals.
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“For years we have been talking about how we are going to diversify our economy,” Mendelson continued.
“I wouldn’t have thought that sports is the first place we go, but [MLB’s] Nations are very popular.
“Everyone is very happy with the Commanders, in fact football is a growing game in this country.
“Also, what we’re looking at is the concept where the stadium pays for the maintenance. And that’s what this law says.”
The council will consider the ordinance in the fall.
DC United was one of the first franchises when MLS was launched in 1996. We have won four MLS Cups.
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It played at Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium until 2017 when it moved to Audi Field.
In its first season at the new venue, it welcomed Manchester United and England legend, Wayne Rooney, following his spell at Everton.
Rooney finished his time in MLS with 23 goals and 15 assists in 48 regular season games.
Rooney had a total of 25 goals in 52 games (all competitions) for DC United.
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