Washington Commanders

Washington Commanders Travel Guide: Northwest Stadium

Important 2026 Context: While the franchise recently announced plans to build a brand-new stadium on the historic RFK site in Washington, D.C. by 2030, the Commanders currently play at Northwest Stadium (formerly known as FedExField and Commanders Field) in Landover, Maryland.  

How to Get There

• Flying In: You have three major airport options in the region. Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) is by far the most convenient if you plan to stay in D.C. proper, as it connects directly to the Metro. Alternatively, you can fly into Baltimore/Washington International Airport (BWI) or Dulles International Airport (IAD), though both require longer commutes into the city or out to Landover.

• Airport Transit: If you fly into DCA, you can easily hop on the Washington Metro system to get to your hotel without needing a rental car. D.C. traffic can be notoriously brutal, so utilizing the Metro is highly recommended.

Where to Stay

You have two distinct strategies for a Commanders weekend: stay in the Maryland suburbs near Landover for pure game-day convenience, or stay in Washington, D.C. for a premium city experience while relying on the Metro to commute to the game.

Budget Options (Near the Stadium)

• Courtyard by Marriott Largo Medical Center Drive: Located about a mile from Northwest Stadium, this is an incredibly popular launchpad for fans looking to prioritize proximity. It features comfortable rooms, an indoor pool, and allows you to avoid the major highway traffic bottlenecks on game day.

• Holiday Inn Express I-95 Capitol Beltway-Largo: Situated roughly a mile from the stadium gates, this reliable option provides a free hot breakfast buffet and keeps you securely in the immediate stadium footprint for an easy, quick rideshare to the tailgating lots.

Higher-End Options (In Washington, D.C.)

• The Morrow Washington DC, Curio Collection by Hilton: If you want a chic, upscale city experience, this luxury property is located in the vibrant NoMa neighborhood. It features a spectacular rooftop lounge and keeps you close to Union Station for easy transit. Expect redemptions to hover around 60,000 to 80,000 Hilton Honors points per night.

• JW Marriott Washington, DC: For a quintessential capital city experience, stay at this premier hotel located right on Pennsylvania Avenue. It offers incredible proximity to the National Mall, the White House, and world-class dining. As a luxury property, it typically requires 50,000 to 70,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night.

Nearby Activities

• The National Mall: You are in the nation's capital. Spend your Saturday exploring the free Smithsonian museums, walking past the Lincoln Memorial, and touring the historic monuments.

• Georgetown: Head to this historic, charming neighborhood to walk the cobblestone streets, shop at upscale boutiques, and grab a fantastic dinner along the waterfront.

Pregame Food and Drink

• The Tailgating Scene: Northwest Stadium features massive, sprawling parking lots, making it a heavy tailgating culture. The lots open four hours before kickoff. The team explicitly encourages fans looking for extra space to target the RedZone Lot (which opens five hours before kickoff) for the best tailgating setups.

• Hail BBQ: If you want to experience the legendary fan culture, look up the Hail BBQ tailgate operating in Lot G Gold. It is one of the largest home-team tailgates at the stadium and serves as an incredible, welcoming hub of die-hard Commanders fans.

• DC Bars: Because the stadium is located in a suburban area surrounded by parking lots, there are very few immediate walk-up bars. If you are staying in the city, many fans grab early drinks at sports bars in the Penn Quarter or Navy Yard neighborhoods before hopping on the Metro to the stadium.

Getting to the Event

• The Washington Metro: The Metro is the most popular way to reach the stadium from D.C. Take the Blue or Silver Line to the Morgan Boulevard Station. From the station, it is a roughly 1-mile (15 to 20-minute) pedestrian walk down a dedicated path straight to the stadium gates.  

• Driving: If you choose to drive, you absolutely must pre-purchase a digital parking pass; you cannot pay cash at the toll booths. When driving, use an app like Waze and search for your specific assigned lot name rather than the general stadium address to ensure you are routed to the correct entrance.

• Rideshare: There is a dedicated Uber and Lyft drop-off and pick-up zone, but be prepared for heavy surge pricing and long wait times after the final whistle as thousands of fans attempt to leave Landover simultaneously.

Where to Sit at Northwest Stadium

The most crucial element of buying tickets at Northwest Stadium is understanding the sun. The stadium is completely open-air, and early-season games in September and October can be incredibly hot and humid.  

• Beat the Sun (The South Sideline): The stadium is oriented so that the sun dips behind the South side of the stadium as the afternoon progresses. If you want shade, you must buy tickets on the Commanders' home sideline (the South side), specifically looking at Sections 101-105, 138-142, or the 300-level sections above them.

• Warning: The North Sideline: The visitor's sideline on the North side of the stadium (Sections 117-126) is the absolute sunniest part of the building. The sun will beat down directly into your face for almost the entire game. If you sit here, sunscreen and a hat are strictly mandatory.

• The Premium Club Experience: The Club Level provides the most comfortable game-day experience. These tickets grant access to an enclosed, climate-controlled concourse—a total lifesaver for escaping extreme heat or bitter late-season cold—and feature padded, extra-wide seats with excellent elevated sightlines.  

• The Dream Seats: Northwest Stadium features a unique row of seats located practically on the field level directly behind the team benches. These "Dream Seats" include all-inclusive food and non-alcoholic beverages with in-seat wait service, providing an unparalleled, intimate view of the players.  

• The Budget Move: The 400-level and 500-level (upper deck) offer the cheapest tickets. Look for sections on the East or South sidelines for the best combination of value and full-field visibility, but be aware that the upper deck aisles can be quite steep.