Northwest Stadium guide: What to know about the Washington Commanders’ home field (2024)

Editor’s note: This article is part of theStadium Guidesseries, a comprehensive guide to your NFL team’s stadium experience.

Buy tickets on StubHub to Washington Commanders games at Northwest Stadium here.

Let’s be honest: When the Commanders’ home stadium gets mentioned, ridicule follows (along with leaky pipe jokes). Factor in more than two decades of ugh football and fans of one of the NFL’s most storied franchises kept their distance. In 2024, signs are pointing to a revival at the newly renamed Northwest Stadium.

Not because of the generic aesthetics, mind you, though the organization announced in February a $75 million investment to upgrade the 28-year-old building after years of neglect by the previous regime. With rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels and the first-year combination of general manager Adam Peters and head coach Dan Quinn overseeing a rebuild, sincere excitement is back on the menu after two decades of mostly dark clouds.

That trio won’t patch over flaws with the aging stadium or convince large swaths of the fan base to quiet their advocating for a new rebrand (though the stadium gets one with an eight-year naming rights deal with Northwest Federal Credit Union). But they should help bring back the ticket-buying burgundy and gold masses. After seeing visiting fans invade for years, an atmospheric upgrade is welcome.

More excitement comes when the next stadium site is announced. Whether that’s in the District or on the current suburban Maryland site, don’t expect opening day until at least 2030 — managing partner Josh Harris called that a “realistic target.” At least the new on-field projection won’t make the wait a slog.

The Athletic has compiled 32 stadium guides, one for each NFL team, to give fans vital information about the game day experience. We’ve also asked readers to weigh in on the best food, beer and tailgate options at each stadium, among other things, to help football fans enjoy their visit.

Insider tips

2024 must-watch game at stadium: vs. Dallas Cowboys, Nov. 24

If this is a true factory reset season, then we circle back to what was once the NFL’s top rivalry. The Commanders, now coached by Quinn, the former Cowboys defensive coordinator, host the series season opener before traveling to Dallas in Week 18. Whether Washington is in the spoiler role or playing for more, the energy in this matchup should be higher than in recent seasons.

Fan tradition to know

Are fans rallying around the revised version of the old fight song, now called “Hail to the Commanders” since 2022? Not exactly. Generating wins and points might change that.

Ben Standig’s favorite thing

That the ownership group is working toward the next stadium. Activate that plan and the interim years at the Commanders’ home field will (fingers crossed) fly by. In the meantime, changes at the current digs include a new sound system, faster driving routes into the stadium, improved food and drink options and a VIP section known as the “Tunnel Club” that allows fans to watch the players head to the field.

The Athletic’s stadium ranking: 30

Northwest Stadium, formerly FedExField/Commanders Field, ranked last in the NFL in our 2023 rankings. “It’s old but not revered,” Standig wrote. “The basic amenities are outdated for this 21st-century world. With the locals choosing to stay away in recent years amid the losing/non-contending and ownership embarrassment, cheers from hordes of visiting fans often dominate the atmosphere.”

Game day advice

What is the ‘best bang for your buck’ seating section?

I prefer between the 30-yard lines and not too close to the field because it can be difficult to see some of the action live compared to those sitting further back. — Tim F.

What’s the can’t-miss food?

Changes to the food and drinking options — the fare and the in/out time — are among the biggest upgrades for 2024. Expect the usual stadium offerings with hamburgers and hot dogs, but also shrimp and crab egg rolls, BBQ and an array of desserts on the suite and club level. There are also new markets throughout the main concourse with frictionless exit points as fans can walk in, flash a credit card, grab what they want and get charged without waiting in lines.

Media receiving a tour of the various upgrades at Commanders Field. Let's start this thread with new frictionless markets across the main concourse. Standard fare plus new food weekly. Data then used to determine faves going forward pic.twitter.com/AcIK1IqiHk

— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) August 25, 2024

What’s the best beer option?

The domestic beers in Legends Plaza were available for $6.75 until kickoff last season.

Where is the best spot to take a photo

The club or upper level is great for those who want the playing field in the background.

Where is the best place to tailgate?

What to know if you go

Address: 1600 FedEx Way, Greater Landover, Md. 20785.

Year opened: 1997.

Roof: No.

Stadium capacity: 67,617.

2023 average attendance per game: 63,951.

Tickets: $207 is the average StubHub ticket cost at Northwest Stadium for a 2024 NFL game, according to StubHub.

Bag policy: Bags made of clear plastic, vinyl or PVC that are no larger than 12 by 6 by 12 inches are allowed. Non-clear bags that are no larger than 4 1/2 inches by 6 1/2 inches and are about the size of a hand are permitted. These bags can be carried with or without a strap or hand. Other bags that are allowed include one-gallon clear plastic freezer bags, binocular cases and camera cases. Official NFL team logo clear plastic tote bags are also permitted. Exceptions may be made for medically necessary items after inspection.

Outside food policy: No outside food or beverages allowed.

ADA: The Americans with Disabilities Act requires at least 1 percent of stadium seats to be wheelchair accessible. For more information on all accessibility services at Northwest Stadium, click here.

Tailgating policy: Tailgating is permitted in all stadium parking lots, except the Platinum Reserved Lots, H-Purple Park-and-Go lot, and lots designed for team personnel and staff. All parking lots are open four hours before the start of an event, except the RedZone parking lot, which opens five hours before the start of an event. Tailgating closes at kickoff. All lots close two hours after the end of the game.

Transportation options: Driving, Uber, subway and bus are all available.

Learn more: https://www.commanders.com/stadium/stadium-guide

The Stadium Guides series is part of a partnership with StubHub.

The Athletic maintains full editorial independence. Partners have no control over or input into the reporting or editing process and do not review stories before publication.

(Top illustration: Dan Goldfarb / The Athletic; photos: Scott Taetsch / Getty Images)