Upcoming Washington Commanders dates
Dates and live ticket listings appear here as soon as they are on sale. The guide below covers what to know before you buy.
Washington's NFL franchise, from Boston to Commanders
The Washington Commanders play home games at Northwest Stadium in Landover, Maryland, about 2.5 miles east of the District line in Prince George's County. The stadium seats about 64,000. The NFL season runs from September into early January, with preseason games in August. A new stadium on the former RFK Stadium site in Washington, D.C., is planned to open in 2030.
The franchise began on July 9, 1932, as the Boston Braves, became the Boston Redskins in 1933 and moved to Washington in 1937. It played as the Washington Redskins through 2019, as the Washington Football Team in 2020 and 2021, and as the Commanders since 2022. A group led by Josh Harris bought the team in May 2023.
Washington won NFL championships in 1937 and 1942 and three Super Bowls, after the 1982, 1987 and 1991 seasons. Those 1980s and early-1990s teams, and their offensive line known as "the Hogs," remain the core of the franchise's identity. The team plays in the NFC East, and its rivalries with the Cowboys, Giants and Eagles are among the oldest in the league.
How Northwest Stadium is laid out
The stadium opened on September 14, 1997, as Jack Kent Cooke Stadium, carried the FedExField name from 1999 to 2024 and became Northwest Stadium in August 2024. It once held more than 91,000, but the team removed large blocks of upper-deck seats in the 2010s; capacity was about 62,000 in 2022 before roughly 1,500 seats were added back in 2025.
- Lower level: sections 101–142, closest to the field.
- 200 level: sections 201–242.
- Club level: sections 301–342, with padded seats and access to indoor, air-conditioned clubs.
- Upper level: sections in the 400s, the least expensive seats in the building.
The best value for watching the game is usually a 200-level or club-level seat between the 20-yard lines. Low end zone rows in the 100 level put you close to the action at one end and far from it at the other. Upper-level corners are the cheapest seats but are a long way from the field. Northwest Stadium has no roof, and upper and club seats outside the indoor lounges have little overhead cover, so check the forecast and bring rain gear for wet days. Sideline assignments can change, so look at the seating chart for your specific game if sitting behind the home bench matters to you.
The Commanders games with the biggest crowds
Washington plays eight or nine regular-season home games each year. The ticket market follows a few clear patterns:
- The Cowboys: the defining rivalry, and the game Washington fans circle first. Dallas fans travel in large numbers, so this game usually draws the most buyers.
- The Eagles and Giants: both fan bases are a short drive or train ride away, and visiting fans can make up a large share of the crowd.
- Prime-time games: Sunday, Monday and Thursday night games bring added national attention.
- Late-season games with playoff stakes: demand rises when a December game matters for the standings.
Preseason games and early-season games against non-division opponents with small traveling followings are typically the easiest to buy. In seasons when visiting fans buy in heavily, sitting on the same side as other home fans makes for a more comfortable afternoon.
Getting to Landover: Metro, parking and tailgating
The nearest Metro stop is Morgan Boulevard on the Blue and Silver lines, about a mile from the stadium, a walk of roughly 20 minutes. As of the most recent posted guidance, there is no regular shuttle between the station and the stadium, though MetroAccess riders can schedule service to Gates A and E. After late-running events, entry is limited to the Morgan Boulevard and Downtown Largo stations.
- Parking: most fans drive. According to the stadium's tailgating policy, lots open four hours before an event (the RedZone A lot opens five hours before), and lots close two hours after it ends. Buy parking in advance.
- Tailgating: grills are allowed, but flames must be out before you enter the stadium, and tailgating ends at kickoff. Every person in the vehicle needs a game ticket or a valid parking pass.
- Rideshare: pickup and drop-off use the Rideshare/RedZone Lot, reached from Harvey Drive and Sheriff Road. Expect long waits right after the game.
- Bags: clear bags no larger than 12 by 6 by 12 inches, a one-gallon clear freezer bag or a small clutch about 4.5 by 6.5 inches.
Policies change from season to season; check the Northwest Stadium transit page and entry rules before you go. Every GoodSeats order is backed by a 100% guarantee.
The planned stadium at the RFK campus
On April 28, 2025, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and team owner Josh Harris announced an agreement to build a new Commanders stadium on the site of RFK Stadium, the team's home from 1961 through 1996. The D.C. Council gave preliminary approval in August 2025 and final approval in September 2025. As reported at that time, the project calls for:
- Cost: about 3.8 billion dollars, with the team covering about 2.7 billion and the District about 1.06 billion for infrastructure, a parking garage and utilities.
- Capacity: about 65,000 seats, plus room for about 5,000 standing.
- Design: a translucent roof and a grass field, designed by HKS.
- Timeline: groundbreaking planned for early 2027 and opening planned for 2030.
No stadium name has been announced. The surrounding campus is planned to include housing, retail, hotels and green space. Until the new stadium opens, Northwest Stadium remains the home venue, and it is expected to be demolished after the move. Timelines for projects of this size often shift, so treat the 2030 date as a target.
A history built at RFK Stadium
Washington played at Griffith Stadium from 1937 to 1960 and at RFK Stadium from 1961 through 1996 before moving to Landover. Most of the franchise's championship history happened at RFK, which is why the planned return to that site carries weight with longtime fans.
- Early titles: NFL championships in 1937, the team's first season in Washington, and 1942.
- Three Super Bowls in ten seasons: XVII, XXII and XXVI, after the 1982, 1987 and 1991 seasons.
- The Hogs: the offensive line of the 1980s and early 1990s, still a point of pride for the fan base.
The fight song is now "Hail to the Commanders." More on the team is at commanders.com.
Frequently asked questions
Where do the Washington Commanders play?
At Northwest Stadium in Landover, Maryland, about 2.5 miles east of Washington, D.C. The stadium opened in 1997 and was known as FedExField from 1999 to 2024.
When will the Commanders move to the new stadium at the RFK site?
As reported after the D.C. Council's final approval in September 2025, groundbreaking is planned for early 2027 and opening for 2030. Large stadium timelines can change.
How do you get to Northwest Stadium on Metro?
Take the Blue or Silver line to Morgan Boulevard, then walk about a mile, roughly 20 minutes. As of recent guidance there is no regular shuttle from the station.
What is the capacity of Northwest Stadium?
About 64,000 after roughly 1,500 seats were added back in 2025. It once held more than 91,000 before upper-deck seats were removed.
Can you tailgate at Commanders games?
Yes. Lots open four hours before kickoff, grills are allowed, and tailgating must end by kickoff. Everyone in the vehicle needs a game ticket or parking pass.