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This is a guide to the Washington Commanders home stadium (FedEx Field). Going to a NFL game can be fun, but it is also a unique experience that you will want to plan for accordingly. There are certain policies and procedures you will want to be aware of beforehand, as well as stadium gate and parking lot locations for easy entrance.
Need Tickets or Parking Passes? – I like to use Vivid Seats because they show me what my view from the seat will look like prior to purchase. Click here to view Washington Commanders tickets and parking passes available at VividSeats.com (affiliate link takes you to vividseats.com).
In this article we will discuss:
- What to bring to a Commanders Game
- Washington Commanders Ticket Information
- FedEx Field Gate Information
- Best Place to Park at FedEx Field
- Does FedEx Field Take Cash?
- How Long are Washington Commanders Games?
- Where is the Commanders Pro Shop?
Table of Contents
What to Bring to a Washington Commanders Game?
If you are going to a Washington Commanders game, planning ahead is always important. Below is a list of things you might need to bring, and you will want to make sure you are complying with any security protocols the stadium has:
- Clear Stadium Bag – NFL stadiums have strict bag policies and recommend a clear stadium bag like this one available at Amazon (paid affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com). Make sure to verify the size dimensions meets the size standards for FedEx Field.
- Reserve Parking – Many stadiums recommend fans to pre-purchase parking passes if needed to help avoid the hassle and wait times associated with buying passes at the stadium. Click here to view the current prices of Washington Commanders parking passes and tickets available at Vivid Seats (paid affiliate link takes you to VividSeats.com).
- Weather and Sun Protection – FedEx Field is an open-air stadium, which means you will need to be prepared to face the elements when you go to a Washington Commanders game.
- Cashless Payment – Many stadiums are transitioning to cashless payments, so bringing a form of payment other than cash is a good idea.
- Noise-Canceling Headphones – Stadiums can get very loud, and noise-canceling headphones may be needed for toddlers.
Can You Bring a Bag Into FedEx Field?
As an emphasis on security has increased in recent years, NFL stadiums have adjusted their bag policies. There are strict regulations regarding the types of bags allowed inside a stadium. The NFL recommends fans to use clear stadium bags like this one available at Amazon (paid affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com).
Clear stadium bags help with security at the gate, and not only make the stadium safer, but also help security lines move faster. But each stadium has its own safety guidelines, and may include certain exceptions. To read more, I would advise you to visit the FedEx Field information guide.
Can You Bring a Sign Into FedEx Field?
Signs must be handheld, event-related, in good taste, and cannot obstruct another guest’s view. They may not contain commercial messages, logos, or political endorsements and may not be hung off affixed stadium structures. Signs on poles or sticks, or constructed of wood or metal material, are also not permitted. Management reserves the right to confiscate signs that are in violation of stadium policy.
Creating a fun sign can be a fun way to add to the experience of a Commanders game. But can you bring a sign into FedEx Field? The answer is yes, but with some restrictions. Here are some of those restrictions:
- FedEx Field Signs much be handheld
- FedEx Field Signs much be event related
- FedEx Field Signs much be in good taste
- FedEx Field Signs can’t obstruct other guest’s view
- FedEx Field Signs can’t contain commercial messages, logos or political endorsements
FedEx Field Signs on poles or sticks, or constructed of wood or metal material, are also not permitted. Management reserves the right to confiscate signs that are in violation of stadium policy. It is always a good idea to check out the FedEx Field information guide or contact the team if you have any questions.
Washington Commanders Ticket Information
Buying Commanders Tickets
As of this year, the Commanders ticket office no longer sells hard tickets at the stadium. The ticket office at the stadium is open only to assist in ticket resolution issues. Buying in advance is almost always necessary.
You can buy your tickets directly from the team’s website, but once the game is sold-out, you will need to use the secondary ticket market, where you can buy Commanders tickets that are being re-sold. For these types of tickets, I like to use Vivid Seats because they show me what my view from the seats will look like prior to purchase.
- Click here to viewWashington Commanders tickets available at Vivid Seats (affiliate link takes you to VividSeats.com).
Commanders Ticket Office located on the south side of the stadium in between Gate A (NRG) and Gate H (Pepsi). You will see the sign for the Pro shop and Entry A is just to the right of that. The ticket office will be open on game days for ticket resolution only.
Please remember that NFL stadiums have adopted mobile ticketing in an attempt to reduce the risk of ticket fraud. To learn more about how the Commanders mobile ticketing works, click here.
To read more, visit our article about purchasing Commanders tickets at the stadium.
FedEx Field Gate Information
FedEx Field General Admission Gate Entrances open 2 hours prior to kickoff. The Bud Light Party Pavilion and Merrill Lynch Touchdown Club open three hours prior to kickoff.
FedEx Field has 8 general admission entrances along with the Bank of America Suite and Loge Entrance and the NRG Suite and Loge Entrance. These club entrances are located on the north and south sides of the stadium.
To read more about the location of entry gates, visit our FedEx Field Gate Guide, or how to buy Commanders tickets in general.
Best Place to Park at FedEx Field for Commanders Games
There are numerous parking lots around FedEx Field. You can buy a parking pass ahead of time for one of these lots or there is onsite parking permit sales.
The parking lots at FedEx Field will typically have a color and a letter for each lot. So make sure you pay attention to both. The onsite parking can be found by taking Arena Drive to Brightseat Road and enter in the Gray Lot.
You will have an assigned parking lot when you get your parking pass. Make sure your parking pass is visible at all times, or you face the possibility of getting your vehicle towed at your expense. With each parking lot, there is a specific entrance road you will have to take.
FedEx Field Parking Tips
- Buy Prepaid Parking if Possible – Buying a parking pass in advance can help you avoid the hassle of buying at the stadium, and allows you to reserve a spot in a parking lot that makes the most sense for you. This is where you can view the current price of parking passes available for Commanders games at Vivid Seats (paid affiliate link takes you to VividSeats.com).
- Tailgating – While tailgating is allowed at FedEx Field, it is recommended that you only do it in the Safeway Redzone Lot. So if you are looking to tailgate, I would suggest getting a parking permit in this lot. Not only is it set up for tailgating with extra space, the lot will usually open 1 hour earlier than the other lots.
- Using the Correct Entrance – Your parking pass will have an assigned lot to it. Each lot also has an assigned entrance road. If you do not use the correct road, the Parking Staff will force you to turn around and use the correct road. You can find a parking map and instructions here.
- Waze App – While all GPS apps will likely get you to the stadium, the Commanders recommend you use the Waze App as it will have the latest information from the team, while others may not. It is always a good idea to stay up to date as possible on traffic patterns.
To read more about lots and options, visit our Washington Commanders Parking Guide.
How Long Do Washington Commanders Games Last?
You can expect a Washington Commanders game to last slightly over three hours on average, but it is worth noting that some games can last closer to 3.5 hours (or longer) depending on pace of play. In 2021, the average length of a Washington Commanders game was 3 hours and 5 minutes.
In 2021, the longest Washington Commanders game lasted 3 hours and 29 minutes, and the shortest Washington Commanders game lasted 2 hours and 46 minutes. The main takeaway is most Washington Commanders games last slightly over three hours, but there are exceptions both ways.
To read more, visit our article about the length of football games.
SOURCE: Pro Football Reference Gamelogs
Where is the Commanders Pro Shop?
The FedEx Field Prop Shop is located next to the Pepsi Gate (Gate H) on the Lower Level across from Section 141 (view). The Team Store is open during the week from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday through Saturday, all year round. On gameday, the store opens when parking lots open and stays open up to two hours after the game.
If you are shopping for Commanders fan gear, you can also do that online. This is where you can view Commanders gear available at NFLShop.com (paid affiliate link takes you to NFLShop.com).
Does FedEx Field Accept Cash Inside the Stadium?
FedEx Field does not accept cash inside the stadium. All food & beverage, parking, and retail transactions will be cashless. Major credit and debit cards, as well as mobile pay will be accepted throughout FedEx Field (source). If you would like more information on the stadium, try our Washington Commanders FedEx Field Fan Guide.
This website (sportsfanfocus.com) has no affiliation with FedEx Field, the Washington Commanders, NFL, or any of the events hosted at FedEx Field.
Any information is provided “as is” with no guarantee of completeness, meaning much of this information is subject to change, and although we do our best to keep these guides updated, we can’t guarantee accuracy at all times. For all official information, we urge you to contact the Washington Commanders staff. Contact information is below:
- FedEx Field Washington Commanders – View Stadium Contact Information
- FedEx Field Information Guide – View Stadium Information
Need Tickets or Parking Passes? – I like to use Vivid Seats because they show me what my view from the seat will look like prior to purchase. Click here to view Washington Commanders tickets and parking passes available at VividSeats.com (affiliate link takes you to vividseats.com).