D.C. United Eyes District Partnership to Roof Audi Field
D.C. United is pursuing a public-private partnership with the District of Columbia to add a roof to Audi Field. Here's what it means for DC sports.
In brief
D.C. United is actively seeking a public-private partnership with the District of Columbia to add a roof to Audi Field, the MLS club's home stadium near the Southwest Waterfront. Such a deal would represent one of the most significant stadium infrastructure upgrades in DC sports since Audi Field opened in 2018, potentially transforming the venue into a year-round entertainment hub capable of hosting concerts, NFL games, and marquee international soccer matches.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
D.C. United is in discussions with District officials about a shared-cost roof project at Audi Field on Potomac Avenue SW.
A roofed Audi Field would dramatically expand the venue's event calendar, boosting revenue beyond the MLS regular season.
The partnership model mirrors public-private stadium deals struck in other major American cities, where municipalities contribute capital in exchange for economic development and tax revenue.
No dollar figures or timeline have been officially confirmed, but the club's pursuit signals a long-term commitment to the Southwest Waterfront corridor.
DC Council buy-in will be essential — and politically complicated — given ongoing debates about public spending priorities across the District's eight wards.
What D.C. United Wants — and Why a Roof Changes Everything
Audi Field, which opened in July 2018 at a construction cost of approximately $400 million, was purpose-built for Major League Soccer and seats roughly 20,000 fans. The open-air design made sense for a summer sport, but it caps the venue's versatility. A roof — whether retractable or fixed — would allow the stadium to host events during DC's brutal August humidity and cold November nights, extending its commercial viability by months.
D.C. United's business case is straightforward: more non-soccer event days means more revenue, which in turn supports player investment and long-term club stability. The club has struggled competitively in recent MLS seasons, and a stronger commercial foundation would give ownership more runway to build a winning roster. For context, Major League Soccer has seen stadium upgrades and new builds accelerate league-wide, with clubs in Nashville, St. Louis, and Cincinnati all opening or expanding facilities to capture the broader live-entertainment market.
The addition of a roof could also make Audi Field a legitimate candidate for hosting FIFA World Cup warm-up matches, international friendlies, and potentially NFL preseason games — all categories of events that generate significant hotel, restaurant, and retail spending across the District's neighborhoods, from Navy Yard to Capitol Hill. For more on how DC's sports venues shape the city's economic geography, see our DC Power Index.
The Public-Private Partnership Question: Who Pays?
The central political challenge in any stadium deal involving District funds is the allocation of public dollars. Washington DC has navigated this tension before — most notably with Nationals Park, which opened in 2008 after the city committed roughly $611 million in public financing, a deal that still generates debate about return on investment two decades later.
Any roof partnership for Audi Field will require approval from the DC Council, where members representing Wards 7 and 8 — the District's most underserved communities east of the Anacostia River — have historically pushed back on stadium subsidies that don't include direct community benefits agreements. Expect those conversations to surface quickly if a formal proposal reaches the Wilson Building.
Mayor Muriel Bowser's office has generally been receptive to economic development projects tied to the Southwest Waterfront and Capitol Riverfront corridors, but her administration faces fiscal pressure heading into the back half of the decade. According to DC's Office of the Chief Financial Officer, the District's long-range budget picture will require careful prioritization of capital spending — meaning any stadium investment will compete with schools, transit, and affordable housing for bonding capacity.
D.C. United's ownership group, led by Jason Levien and Steve Kaplan, has shown willingness to invest privately in the club and its facilities. The framing of this as a partnership — rather than a subsidy request — suggests the club understands the political environment and intends to put meaningful private capital on the table. Track DC's biggest power moves at our DC Power Players Index.
Stadium politics in DC are never just about sports. Audi Field sits at the intersection of the Capitol Riverfront and the broader Southwest Waterfront redevelopment zone — one of the most active real estate corridors in the city. A roofed, upgraded Audi Field could serve as an anchor for additional mixed-use development nearby, reinforcing the area's trajectory as a destination neighborhood rather than simply a game-day destination.
DC is also watching how its peer cities handle the sports-infrastructure arms race. The Washington Commanders' stadium pursuit — whether at RFK Stadium or an alternative site — has consumed enormous political oxygen. A D.C. United roof deal, comparatively modest in scale, could serve as a proof-of-concept for public-private stadium partnerships in the District, setting precedent for how the city structures future sports facility agreements. Follow the full landscape of DC sports politics at our DC Politics Guide.
Beyond the politics, there's a fan experience argument that resonates with anyone who has sat through a rain delay at Audi Field or sweated through a July evening on Potomac Avenue SW. A roof makes soccer in DC more comfortable, more marketable, and more competitive with peer entertainment options across the city — from Capital One Arena in Penn Quarter to the renovated venues emerging along the 16th Street corridor.
What Comes Next for Audi Field
The immediate next step is whether D.C. United and District officials can agree on a framework — cost-sharing percentages, governance structure, and a community benefits agreement that can win Council votes. The Washington Business Journal first reported the club's pursuit of a partnership, and additional details on financing and design are expected as negotiations advance.
If a deal materializes, construction timelines for a project of this scope typically run 18 to 36 months from groundbreaking, meaning fans could realistically see a roofed Audi Field by the late 2020s. The club has not publicly confirmed a design firm or structural approach — retractable versus fixed roof — but those decisions will significantly shape both the cost and the venue's ultimate versatility.
For DC sports fans, the broader question is what kind of city Washington wants to be for live sports and entertainment. The District has the demographics, the income levels, and the event appetite to support world-class facilities. Whether it has the political will to fund them — even partially — is the test Audi Field's roof will put to the Wilson Building.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why does Audi Field need a roof? A: Audi Field is currently an open-air stadium, limiting its use to fair-weather events. A roof would allow D.C. United and venue operators to host concerts, international matches, and other events year-round, significantly increasing revenue and fan comfort during DC's extreme summer heat and fall rain.
Q: How much would a roof for Audi Field cost? A: No official cost estimate has been publicly released. Stadium roof projects at comparable venues in other cities have ranged from $100 million to over $400 million depending on design, materials, and whether the roof is fixed or retractable.
Q: Does DC have a history of funding stadium projects with public money? A: Yes. The District committed approximately $611 million in public financing to build Nationals Park, which opened in 2008. That deal remains a reference point — both positive and cautionary — in DC stadium policy debates.
Q: Who owns D.C. United? A: D.C. United is owned by a group led by Jason Levien and Steve Kaplan, who acquired the club in 2012. The ownership group has made significant investments in the club, including the construction of Audi Field.
Q: Would a roofed Audi Field affect the Commanders' stadium negotiations? A: Indirectly, yes. A successful public-private partnership at Audi Field could establish a framework and political precedent for how DC structures larger stadium deals — including any eventual agreement tied to a renovated or new Commanders facility at the RFK Stadium site.
Q: When could a roofed Audi Field be completed? A: No timeline has been confirmed. If a partnership agreement is reached and approved by the DC Council in the near term, construction on a project of this scale would typically take 18 to 36 months, putting a potential completion in the late 2020s.
The bottom line: D.C. United's push to partner with the District on an Audi Field roof is equal parts sports business strategy and DC political maneuvering. The club needs a more versatile venue to compete commercially; the city needs a compelling community benefit argument to justify public dollars. If ownership and the Wilson Building can bridge that gap, the Southwest Waterfront gets a landmark upgrade — and Washington gets a clearer template for how it funds the next generation of sports infrastructure.
What to watch next: Listen for DC Council members — particularly those on the Finance and Revenue Committee — to signal whether they'll engage with a formal partnership proposal. Any movement toward a community benefits agreement framework will be the tell that this deal has real momentum. Stay with WDCM Power Moves for updates as negotiations develop.
Reporting drawn from: The Business Journals. Washington DC Magazine provides original analysis, DC-specific context, and editorial perspective beyond the source material.This article was produced with AI assistance and reviewed by WDCM editorial staff. Washington DC Magazine is committed to accuracy, transparency, and editorial integrity. If you believe any information in this article requires correction, please contact editor@washingtondcmagazine.com.
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CAN I KICK IT? screens New Jack City at the Sylvan Theater, Washington Monument, on Aug. 22. (Courtesy SHAOLIN JAZZ)
The live-cinema series CAN I KICK IT? returns to the National Mall this month with what its producers are calling the "Gangsters on the Mall" chapter of their free outdoor summer run. On Saturday, August 22, the SHAOLIN JAZZ production brings the 1991 crime classic New Jack City to the Sylvan Theater at the Washington Monument for a night of film, music, and community under the DC summer sky.
What sets the event apart is the sound. As the film plays, DJ 2-Tone Jones builds an original score in real time, reimagining one of the most iconic crime movies of the ’90s through hip-hop, soul, funk, and more. It is less a movie screening than a live performance built around the film.
The details:
Film: New Jack City (1991), with a live soundtrack by DJ 2-Tone Jones
When: Saturday, August 22 — seating opens at 7:30 p.m. (bring lawn chairs and blankets); film begins at 8:30 p.m.
Where: Sylvan Theater at the Washington Monument, Independence Ave SW & 15th St NW
A parking note from the organizers: expect road closures and restricted parking east of 14th Street NW due to a separate race event in the District. Roads west of 14th Street NW will be accessible and available for parking.
New Jack City is the second of three screenings in this year’s free CAN I KICK IT? outdoor series, which opened with Black Panther at Skyland Town Center and concludes with Scarface at the Lincoln Memorial on September 5. Produced by the Washington, DC-based multimedia arts company SHAOLIN JAZZ, the series has presented more than 150 live cinematic experiences at venues across the country, from Lincoln Center to SXSW.
"I wanted to be able to tell good stories with substance and remove the ‘ego’ out of the art," said Andrew Huang during a recent interview. Now, he’s building his career at the intersection of discipline, creativity and innovation.
Andrew Huang, founder of New Place Studios. (Courtesy photo)
As a Chinese American, Huang was reared with a deep respect for hard work, consistency and excellence. He describes his childhood as "not so affluent" and later attended college to hone his passion for videography. "In college I tried to do something I loved, which was video, but along the way I knew that I had to find a job. And so I thought, ‘what was the low hanging fruit to get to that stable 9 to 5 job?,’" he stated.
Later in life, Huang found himself working for corporations where his creativity was often limited, eventually leading to burnout. "I worked in a corporation for a long time and there were a lot of missing pieces. I wanted to fill in gaps missing in corporate video production," said Huang.
He later described how his upbringing and a mindset of "survival" led him toward a corporate career. However, his desire for balance and authentic storytelling ultimately pushed him to take the entrepreneurial leap.
"I founded a new place where you can create video and film with ‘substance and style,’" said Huang. His desire for work-life balance and passion for storytelling naturally evolved into a small business based in Virginia. With the launch of New Place Studios, the entrepreneur quickly found himself reconnecting with the values that would become the foundation of everything he creates behind the camera.
Huang said being a business owner has allowed him to first embrace himself. While others may see video as simply capturing moments, he sees it as a way to preserve stories that inspire, connect and leave a lasting imprint.
By combining cinematic visuals with cutting-edge production techniques and a keen understanding of branding, Huang helps organizations and individuals communicate their vision with purpose. He said understanding a client’s "why" serves as the compass for delivering the services they need.
One benefit of working with a small business, he said, is that clients get to see the production process unfold through a micro lens while working with the same faces throughout the entire project. "The work feels personal," said Huang.
Huang does not regret leaving behind the flash-over-substance mentality and corporate hustle culture. That does not mean the Asian American entrepreneur has been without challenges in the industry. "It’s relatively hard to find other Asian American creatives or people who would want to work with me in the DMV," said Huang.
He identifies the industry culture in which everyone is trying to blend in, creatives may fear displaying their Asian identity and some feel pressure to adopt an American corporate persona. He also points to what he describes as a level of gatekeeping within the industry. According to the U.S. Small Business Administration’s 2024 statistics, Asian American and Pacific Islander entrepreneurs own more than 3 million businesses and employ 5.2 million people in the United States.
After tapping into organizations such as SCORE, which offers free small business mentorship, New Place Studios has become a trusted creative partner throughout the DMV (Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia). The company produces a range of creative services, including commercials, corporate branding, documentaries, film, 2D animation, motion graphics and photography.
For Huang, entrepreneurship has become more than a departure from corporate life. It has given him the freedom to create with intention, build meaningful connections and tell stories that go beyond the surface.
The 2026 CAN I KICK IT? outdoor series. Poster courtesy of SHAOLIN JAZZ.
For three Saturdays this summer, some of Washington’s most familiar public spaces will do something they rarely do after dark: fill up with blankets, lawn chairs, and the sound of a movie being scored live, in real time. CAN I KICK IT?, the traveling “live cinema” series produced by the DC-based multimedia arts company SHAOLIN JAZZ, is bringing a free outdoor run to the city — pairing three era-defining films with an original soundtrack performed on the spot by DJ 2-Tone Jones.
The premise is what sets it apart from a normal screening in the park. Rather than simply pressing play, 2-Tone Jones builds a score as the film unfolds, pulling from hip-hop, soul, funk, jazz, rock, electronic music, and sounds from around the world. The result, the organizers say, is less a movie night than a one-time performance — the same film you know, wired to a soundtrack you have never heard and will not hear again. Guest DJs warm up the crowd starting at 7:30 PM before each 8:30 PM screening.
The 2026 outdoor schedule
All three events are free and open to the public.
Saturday, August 8 — Black Panther at Skyland Town Center. A pop-up marketplace and community activities kick off the evening; guest DJs at 7:30 PM, film at 8:30 PM. Marvel’s superhero epic gets a one-night-only live score in Southeast DC.
Saturday, August 22 — New Jack City at the Sylvan Theater, Washington Monument. Seating begins at 7:30 PM; the film starts at 8:30 PM. The 1991 crime drama plays out at the foot of one of the country’s most recognizable landmarks.
Saturday, September 5 — Scarface at the Lincoln Memorial. Seating at 7:30 PM; film at 8:30 PM. The series closes with Brian De Palma’s crime saga against the backdrop of the Memorial, scored live from start to finish.
First up: Black Panther at Skyland Town Center on August 8. Poster courtesy of SHAOLIN JAZZ.
A DC company with a national footprint
SHAOLIN JAZZ describes itself as a Washington-based arts company working at the intersection of music, film, art, and culture, and CAN I KICK IT? is its signature production. According to the organizers, the series has staged more than 150 live cinematic experiences around the country — at performing arts centers, museums, festivals, and cultural institutions including Lincoln Center in New York, SXSW, the Denver Center for the Performing Arts, Republic Square in Austin, the Tacoma Armory, and The Cary Theater.
“CAN I KICK IT? has always been about creating a shared experience,” said Gerald Watson, co-founder of SHAOLIN JAZZ. “When you combine iconic films with live music in public spaces, something special happens. People aren’t just watching a movie — they’re experiencing it together. That’s what makes these nights so memorable.”
Cinema as a community event
The DC run lands as cities across the country look for new ways to activate public space through arts and culture — and this series is a straightforward pitch for how to do it: take a landmark everyone already knows, add a film everyone has an opinion about, and let a live soundtrack turn the evening into something neighbors experience shoulder to shoulder. Families, film buffs, and music fans are all invited, and admission won’t cost a thing.
The CAN I KICK IT? outdoor series runs August 8, August 22, and September 5. All events are free; check SHAOLIN JAZZ (shaolinjazz.com) for the latest details and any weather updates before heading out.
