About Northwest Stadium
Northwest Stadium sits in Landover, Maryland — a 67,617-seat venue where the Washington Commanders play NFL football in a suburban setting 10 miles east of the National Mall. It is a stadium defined by its contradictions: once the largest in the NFL at 91,704 seats, now significantly reduced; a venue that has hosted presidents, Army-Navy games, and Beyoncé, but one that has also drawn criticism for its location, aging infrastructure, and a franchise in perpetual transition.
The Commanders have played here since 1997, when the stadium opened as Jack Kent Cooke Stadium — named for the late owner who championed its construction. Built for $250 million and designed by Populous, the stadium was the successor to the beloved RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C. The move to suburban Prince George’s County gave the franchise a massive venue and ample parking, but it traded the urban energy of RFK for a location that felt disconnected from the city the team represents.
The stadium has had four names in 27 years — Jack Kent Cooke Stadium, FedExField, Commanders Field, and Northwest Stadium — more identity changes than any other NFL venue. Thousands of upper-deck seats have been removed as the franchise dealt with declining attendance during years of on-field struggles and off-field controversies. The original capacity of 91,704, once the pride of the franchise, proved unsustainable.
Despite all of this, Northwest Stadium has moments of genuine greatness. The 2011 Army-Navy Game, the 2004 BCA Classic (which drew a record 91,665), major concert tours, and the rare Commanders playoff game have shown what this venue can be when the circumstances are right. The franchise is actively pursuing a new stadium — potentially back in Washington, D.C. — that would finally give the Commanders a home that matches the history of the franchise.
Getting to Northwest Stadium
Public Transit
Northwest Stadium is served by the Washington Metro, with Morgan Boulevard station less than a mile from the stadium.
→ Via Metro Blue/Silver Line: Morgan Boulevard station is 0.9 miles from the stadium — about a 15-minute walk along a dedicated pedestrian path. From downtown D.C. (Metro Center), the ride is about 20 minutes. Metro adds extra trains on game days.
→ Via Shuttle Bus: On select game days, shuttle buses run between Morgan Boulevard station and the stadium entrance. Check the Commanders website for shuttle availability.
Metro is the best option for visitors staying in D.C. The walk from Morgan Boulevard is straightforward, though the 0.9-mile distance can feel long in bad weather. Driving is the default for most fans.
Driving + Parking
The stadium address is 1600 FedEx Way, Landover, MD 20785. The Capital Beltway (I-495) is the primary approach.
→ From Downtown Washington, D.C. (~10 mi): I-295 North or Route 50 East to I-495 to Arena Drive. About 20–30 minutes without traffic.
→ From Baltimore (~35 mi): I-95 South to I-495 West to Arena Drive. About 40–50 minutes.
→ From Northern Virginia (~20 mi): I-495 East (Capital Beltway) to Arena Drive. About 30–45 minutes.
The stadium complex has massive surface parking lots at $40–$60 on game days. Lots open 3.5 hours before kickoff. Tailgating is permitted in all general lots and is the centrepiece of the game-day experience here — the suburban location means the parking lot culture is more developed than at most NFL stadiums.
Rideshare
Uber and Lyft have designated zones near the stadium’s main gates. From downtown D.C. hotels, expect $20–$30. From Arlington, $25–$35. Post-game surge is heavy — walk to Morgan Boulevard station and take Metro, or wait 30 minutes for rideshare rates to settle.
From the Airport
→ Ronald Reagan National (DCA): 10.5 miles west, about 20–30 minutes by car. Convenient domestic airport accessible via Metro Blue/Yellow lines to Metro Center, then Blue/Silver to Morgan Boulevard. Rideshare runs $20–$30.
→ Dulles International (IAD): 35 miles west, about 45–60 minutes by car. Major international hub. Silver Line Metro connects to Morgan Boulevard with one transfer. Rideshare runs $50–$70.
→ Baltimore-Washington International (BWI): 30 miles northeast, about 35–45 minutes by car. Hub for Southwest Airlines. No practical transit connection to the stadium. Rideshare runs $45–$60.
History of Northwest Stadium
Northwest Stadium was built to replace RFK Stadium, where Washington’s football team played from 1961 to 1996. Owner Jack Kent Cooke chose a site in Landover, Maryland — controversial even then, as many fans wanted the team to stay in Washington, D.C. The $250 million project, designed by Populous, was the largest stadium in the NFL when it opened with 91,704 seats.
First Game (September 14, 1997): Washington defeated the Arizona Cardinals 19–13 in overtime before 78,270 fans. The stadium was named Jack Kent Cooke Stadium in honour of the owner, who had died six months earlier.
FedEx Naming Rights (1999): FedEx purchased naming rights for $205 million over 27 years, and the stadium became FedExField — one of the most expensive naming deals in sports at the time.
2004 BCA Classic (September 4, 2004): A college football doubleheader — Hampton vs. Howard and USC vs. Virginia Tech — drew 91,665 fans, setting the stadium’s all-time attendance record and proving the venue could still fill when the event was right.
2011 Army-Navy Game (December 10, 2011): The annual rivalry between Army and Navy was played here before a crowd of over 82,000, with midshipmen and cadets filling the field in a pregame ceremony that remains one of the most stirring scenes in American sports.
Franchise Transition (2020s): The team rebranded from its previous name to the Washington Commanders in 2022, and new ownership under Josh Harris arrived in 2023. The stadium briefly became Commanders Field in early 2024 before Northwest purchased naming rights later that year. The franchise is actively pursuing a new stadium to replace the aging Landover venue.
From RFK’s farewell to the naming rights carousel to the pursuit of a new home, Northwest Stadium represents a franchise in transition — a venue that was built for 91,000 but now seats 67,000, waiting for the next chapter of Washington football to begin.
Photo Gallery
Fun Facts
Northwest Stadium originally held 91,704 seats when it opened in 1997 — the largest capacity in the NFL — but thousands of upper-deck seats have been removed over the years to improve the fan experience and adjust to lower demand, reducing capacity to approximately 67,617.
The stadium has had four names in its history: Jack Kent Cooke Stadium (1997–1999), FedExField (1999–2024), Commanders Field (2024), and Northwest Stadium (August 2024) — more name changes than any other NFL venue in the same time span.
During Beyoncé's 2023 Renaissance World Tour stop at the stadium, Metro extended service hours and added extra trains to handle the crowd — a level of transit accommodation typically reserved for presidential inaugurations and major national events.
Stadium Location
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the seating capacity of Northwest Stadium?
- Northwest Stadium currently seats approximately 67,617 for NFL games. The stadium originally held 91,704 when it opened in 1997 — the largest in the NFL — but upper-deck sections have been removed over the years to improve the experience and match reduced demand.
- Where is Northwest Stadium located?
- Northwest Stadium is at 1600 FedEx Way in Landover, Maryland 20785. It sits in Prince George's County, about 10 miles east of downtown Washington, D.C., near the intersection of the Capital Beltway (I-495) and Arena Drive.
- How do I get to Northwest Stadium by public transit?
- The Washington Metro Blue and Silver lines stop at Morgan Boulevard station, 0.9 miles from the stadium — about a 15-minute walk. Metro runs extra service on game days. The walk from Morgan Boulevard follows a dedicated pedestrian path. Shuttle buses sometimes run between the station and the stadium.
- Is there parking at Northwest Stadium?
- The stadium complex has extensive surface parking lots. General parking costs $40–$60 on game days. Lots open 3.5 hours before kickoff. Tailgating is permitted in all general lots and is a central part of the game-day experience. The lots are massive — this is a suburban stadium built for cars.
- Why has the stadium changed names so many times?
- The stadium opened as Jack Kent Cooke Stadium in 1997, named for the team's late owner. FedEx purchased naming rights in 1999 for $205 million over 27 years, making it FedExField. After a franchise rebrand, it briefly became Commanders Field in 2024. Northwest, a mutual fund company, then purchased naming rights, renaming it Northwest Stadium in August 2024.
- Are the Commanders building a new stadium?
- Yes. The Washington Commanders have been pursuing plans for a new stadium, potentially in Washington, D.C., Virginia, or Maryland. The current lease at Northwest Stadium runs through 2027, and the franchise has signalled its intent to move to a new purpose-built venue, with a target of approximately 2030.
- How far is the airport from Northwest Stadium?
- Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) is 10.5 miles west of the stadium, about 20–30 minutes by car. Dulles International (IAD) is 35 miles west, about 45–60 minutes. Baltimore-Washington International (BWI) is 30 miles northeast, about 35–45 minutes. DCA is the most convenient for game-day visitors.
Last updated: 2026-03-05
