Commanders Field Explained

Stadium Name:Commanders Field
Address:1600 FedEx Way[1]
Location:Landover, Maryland, U.S.
Coordinates:38.9078°N -76.8644°W
Pushpin Relief:yes
Pushpin Map:USA Maryland#USA
Pushpin Map Caption:Location of Commanders Field in Landover, Maryland##Location in the United States
Broke Ground:[2]
Expanded:1998, 2000, 2005
Owner:Washington Commanders (Josh Harris)
Surface:Bermuda grass
Construction Cost:251 million
($ in dollars)
Architect:HOK Sport
Structural Engineer:Bliss & Nyitray, Inc
Services Engineer:M-E Engineers, Inc.[3]
General Contractor:Clark Construction[4]
Main Contractors:Driggs Construction Co.[5]
Former Names:Jack Kent Cooke Stadium (1997–1999)
Redskins Stadium (1999)
FedExField (1999–2023)
Tenants:Washington Commanders (NFL) 1997–present
Suites:257
Seating Capacity:65,000Former capacity:
Publictransit:Washington Metro
at Morgan Boulevard

Commanders Field is an American football stadium located in Landover, Maryland, east of Washington, D.C. The stadium is the home of the Washington Commanders of the National Football League (NFL). From 2004 until 2010, it had the NFL's largest seating capacity at 91,000, with it currently having a capacity of 65,000.[6] [7] The stadium is owned and operated by the Commanders, with non-NFL events managed by team owner Josh Harris's company Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment (HBSE). The stadium opened in 1997 as Jack Kent Cooke Stadium, with it being known as FedExField from 1999 to 2023. The stadium was renamed Commanders Field in 2024 after the naming rights were relinquished by FedEx.[8]

History

In the 1990s, Washington Redskins owner Jack Kent Cooke was seeking to replace RFK Stadium as the team's stadium. Cooke sought to build next to Laurel Park Racecourse along Whiskey Bottom and Brock Bridge roads, but lack of parking facilities and public support prompted him to discard the idea.[9] Instead, the stadium was built in Landover, Maryland, on Wilson Dairy Farm. A special exit, Exit 16 (Arena Drive), was built from Interstate 495, also known as the Capital Beltway. Cooke named the site Raljon after his sons Ralph and John, registering it with the United States Postal Service for the stadium's ZIP Code. Cooke died months before the opening of the new stadium, which his sons named Jack Kent Cooke Stadium. It opened on September 14, 1997, with the first game being held against the Arizona Cardinals.[10]

Daniel Snyder bought the team and stadium from Cooke's estate in May 1999, briefly renaming it Redskins Stadium before selling naming rights to FedEx for 27 years at an average of $7.6 million per year. The stadium was officially renamed FedExField on November 21, 1999.[11] The Raljon dateline requirements and placename were phased out by Snyder by the start of the 1999 season.[12] From 2002 to 2010, the Redskins led the NFL in home attendance.[13] In the early 2010s, 14,000 seats were removed from the upper deck due to lack of demand.[14] By 2015, another 4,000 seats had been removed.[15] In July 2023, the team and stadium were acquired from Snyder by a group headed by Josh Harris for $6.05 billion.[16] The following year, Harris's company Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment (HBSE) took over operating non-NFL events at the stadium.[17] In February 2024, FedEx announced that it had opted out of its naming rights contract before its expiration in 2026.[18] The franchise applied the team name to the stadium while seeking a new sponsor.[19]

Design

The stadium has five levels: the Lower Level, the Club Level, the Upper Level, and the Lower and Upper Suite Levels. The Lower Level is named after Bobby Mitchell, a running back and executive with the team from 1962 to 2002.[20] [21] The Club Level is named after Joe Gibbs, the team's head coach from 1981 to 1992 and from 2004 to 2007. The Upper Level is named after former NFL commissioner Pete Rozelle. The stadium has 257 suites .

Notable events

College football

Commanders Field hosts the annual Prince George's Classic college football game, which is a game usually between two historically black universities. It has hosted several other college football games, including the 1998 game between Notre Dame and Navy, the 2004 Black Coaches Association Classic between USC and the Virginia Tech, and the 112th Army–Navy Game.

Soccer

Commanders Field has been used for several international soccer matches. On March 28, 2015, Argentina defeated El Salvador at the stadium before a crowd of 53,978.[22] On June 7, 2014, the stadium hosted a doubleheader. In the first game, Spain, the 2010 World Cup winner, defeated El Salvador 2–0 in a warm-up match in front of a crowd of 53,267. In the second game, D.C. United played Columbus Crew to a scoreless draw in the first regular-season game United hosted at the stadium. It hosted four preliminary matches and one quarterfinal doubleheader in the 1999 FIFA Women's World Cup. On July 1, 1999, the United States women's national soccer team defeated Germany 3–2 in the FIFA Women's World Cup 1999 quarterfinals.

The stadium has also hosted a number of club soccer exhibition matches. During the 2005 World Series of Soccer, D.C. United hosted Chelsea F.C. there; the 31,473 spectators represented D.C. United's third-highest ever home attendance. On August 9, 2009, D.C. United hosted another international friendly against Real Madrid at FedExField. On July 30, 2011, Manchester United ended its 2011 summer tour with a 2–1 win over F.C. Barcelona at FedExField in front of 81,807 fans. FedExField was used on July 29, 2014, in the International Champions Cup as Manchester United played Inter Milan.[23] On July 26, 2017, Manchester United played F.C. Barcelona again at the FedExField as part of International Champions Cup. This time the Catalan club secured a narrow 1-0 victory over Manchester United in front of 80,162 fans, with Neymar's last goal for F.C. Barcelona being the difference.[24] On August 4, 2018, FedExField hosted a 2018 International Champions Cup match between Real Madrid and Juventus. Real Madrid won 3-1. On July 23, 2019, FedExField also hosted a match between Real Madrid and Arsenal. The match ended 2-2, and Real Madrid won the penalty shootout. Commanders Field was being considered as a 2026 FIFA World Cup venue before being rejected.[25] [26]

Rugby union

Commanders Field hosted a rugby union match between New Zealand and the USA Eagles on October 23, 2021.[27] This was the first time a rugby union game has been hosted at FedExField. The Eagles lost 104–14 in front of a crowd of 39,720 people.[28]

Concerts

The stadium has hosted several major concerts, including the HFStival and George Strait Country Music Festival in 2000, the Rolling Stones with the Strokes in 2002 and with Ghost Hounds in 2019, Metallica with Deftones, Linkin Park, and Limp Bizkit in 2003, Bruce Springsteen in 2003, Kenny Chesney in 2005, 2011, 2012, and 2013. U2 with Muse, and Paul McCartney with Thievery Corporation in 2009.

In 2017, U2 returned to the stadium with The Lumineers. Guns N' Roses and Alice in Chains played at the stadium in 2016, Coldplay played in 2017 and 2022, Taylor Swift performed two nights in 2018 as part of her Reputation Stadium Tour with Camila Cabello and Charli XCX. Beyoncé and Jay Z performed two nights as part of the On the Run II Tour with Chloe x Halle and DJ Khaled. Childish Gambino and Lil Wayne performed in 2019 as part of the Broccoli City Festival. The Weeknd performed at the stadium in 2022 as part of the After Hours til Dawn Stadium Tour. In 2023, Ed Sheeran performed at the stadium as part of his Mathematics Tour while Beyoncé performed two events as part of her Renaissance World Tour.

Criticisms

The stadium is regarded as one of the worst stadiums in the NFL, being ranked as the worst in several polls.[29] [30] [31]

In January 2007, The Washington Post reported that former team owner Daniel Snyder met with Washington, D.C. officials and former Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe about building a new stadium.[32] [33] In 2005, eight years after the stadium opened, 1,488 premium "dream seats" in three rows were added in front of what was the first row when the stadium was built.[34] The stadium is about a mile away from the Morgan Boulevard station, the nearest Washington Metro station to the stadium. Furthermore, federal regulations prohibit publicly paid shuttle service from public transit agencies when a private service is available.[35]

In 2021, three water leaks occurred near to fans.[36] In 2022, as Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts was walking down the away team tunnel, a barrier separating seated fans from the away team tunnel gave way and caused several people to fall near him.[37] According to several witnesses, team staff did not show care for or call for medical attention for the fans who fell, but yelled "get the F off the field". The team released a statement responding to the criticisms, claiming the team did provide medical evaluations on site, but one fan denied that they did. Hurts was the only one who asked if they were okay.[38] Hurts later wrote an open letter about the incident to the NFL, asking that action be taken to prevent an incident like this from recurring.[39]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: FedExField Stadium Guide. Washington Commanders. February 2, 2022. February 2, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220202212340/https://www.commanders.com/stadium/stadium-guide. live.
  2. Web site: March 13, 1996: Construction Begins on JKC Stadium . May 6, 2012 . March 12, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160312004930/http://redskinshistorian.com/taxonomy/term/89 . dead.
  3. Book: Illuminating Engineering Society. Lighting design & application: LD & A. May 6, 2012. 28. 1998. Illuminating Engineering Society. 39. March 1, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240301024800/https://books.google.com/books?id=lK4nAQAAMAAJ. live.
  4. Web site: FedEx Field. Featured Projects. Clark Construction Co.. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20110812161735/http://www.clarkconstruction.com/projects/feature_project/11. August 12, 2011.
  5. News: Where a Stadium Soon Will Grow. The Washington Times. March 23, 1996. October 23, 2011. May 31, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220531032854/http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=WT&p_theme=wt&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EB0F1CEE26B1EDE&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM. live.
  6. News: Allen . Scott . Hahn . Fritz . 2024-09-07 . The complete guide to FedEx Field . 2024-03-24 . The Washington Post. en.
  7. News: Fortier . Sam . 2023-09-10 . At FedEx Field, full parking lots, full seats and full hearts . 2024-03-24 . The Washington Post . en.
  8. Web site: Rogers . Winston . 2024-02-28 . FedEx drops naming rights of Commanders' stadium 2 years before contract expires . WJLA . en.
  9. News: Katherine . Richards . Redskins owner Jack Kent Cooke is seeking a special exception that would allow a $160 million National Football League stadium in an industrial zone east of Laurel in Anne Arundel County. The Redskins are also hoping for variances from county codes on matters such as parking and landscaping for the 78,600-seat stadium. . Clergymen protest stadium: Traffic would hurt churches, they say . . . August 11, 1994.
  10. News: Vick . Karl . Heath . Thomas . September 15, 1997 . After Bumpy Beginning, a Can't-Be-Beat Ending . 2024-02-28 . The Washington Post.
  11. News: Heath . Thomas . November 22, 1999 . Absolutely, Positively It's Now FedEx Field . 2024-02-28 . The Washington Post . July 6, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200706034339/https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/sports/redskins/longterm/1999/gamerep/week11/fedex22.htm . live .
  12. News: August 20, 1999 . Goodbye to Raljon, and good riddance . October 27, 2021 . . January 27, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220127100623/https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-1999-08-20-9908200062-story.html . live .
  13. Web site: 2008 NFL Attendance Data. Pro-Football-Reference.com. September 6, 2019. March 22, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190322192705/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2008/attendance.htm. live.
  14. News: Brad . Biggs . FedEx Field official: Redskins removed seats they couldn't sell . National Football Post . July 15, 2011 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20201001133137/https://www.nationalfootballpost.com/2008-2018-nfp-archive/latest-nfl-news/fedex-field-official-redskins-removed-seats-they-couldnt-sell/ . October 1, 2020.
  15. News: Steinberg. Dan. Allen. Scott. For Third Time in Six Years, Redskins Remove Seats From FedEx Field. The Washington Post. June 1, 2015. June 1, 2015. June 2, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150602123753/http://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/redskins/for-third-time-in-six-years-redskins-remove-seats-from-fedex-field/2015/06/01/555299d6-088a-11e5-a7ad-b430fc1d3f5c_story.html. live.
  16. News: Jhabvala . Nicki . Josh Harris preaches patience, discusses plans for Commanders . The Washington Post . 3 December 2023 . December 1, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231201143909/http://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2023/11/30/josh-harris-commanders-rebuild/ . live .
  17. Web site: Muret . Don . HBSE takes over booking FedEx Field events . VenuesNow.com . February 5, 2024 . 10 February 2024 . March 1, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240301024757/https://venuesnow.com/hbse-takes-over-booking-fedex-field-special-events/ . live .
  18. News: Jhabvala . Nicki . Maske . Mark . 2024-02-28 . FedEx ends naming-rights deal for Commanders' stadium two years early . 2024-02-28 . The Washington Post . en-US . 0190-8286 . February 28, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240228134753/https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2024/02/28/commanders-fed-ex-naming-rights/ . live .
  19. News: Kronzer . Patrick . Venezky . Emily . FedEx drops name off Commanders' Landover stadium, ending its naming rights agreement early . . February 28, 2024 . February 28, 2024 . February 28, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240228161903/https://wtop.com/washington-commanders/2024/02/fedex-ends-naming-rights-sponsorship-of-commanders-stadium-2-years-early/ . live .
  20. Web site: Washington Redskins To Retire The Late Bobby Mitchell's Jersey . Washington Football Team . October 27, 2021 . June 20, 2020 . October 27, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211027150305/https://www.washingtonfootball.com/news/washington-redskins-to-retire-bobby-mitchell-jersey-number . live .
  21. News: Fortier . Sam . Redskins to remove George Preston Marshall's name from all team material . The Washington Post . October 27, 2021 . June 24, 2020 . June 25, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200625142606/https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2020/06/24/redskins-remove-george-preston-marshalls-name-all-team-material/ . live .
  22. http://www.ticotimes.net/2015/03/28/no-messi-but-argentina-is-still-too-much-for-el-salvador "No Messi, but Argentina is still too much for El Salvador"
  23. http://internationalchampionscup.com/news/?article_id=112 Man United defeats Inter in Shootout
  24. http://www.internationalchampionscup.com/matches/170 Barcelona 1 - 0 Manchester United
  25. Web site: World Cup 2026: What are the host cities in USA, Mexico and Canada going to be?. June 14, 2018. September 10, 2018. August 12, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180812115353/https://www.cbssports.com/soccer/world-cup/news/world-cup-2026-what-are-the-host-cities-in-usa-mexico-and-canada-going-to-be/. live.
  26. News: Keating. Steve. November 23, 2021. FIFA wraps up inspection of potential 2026 World Cup venues. en. Reuters. January 4, 2022. January 4, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220104192848/https://www.reuters.com/lifestyle/sports/fifa-wraps-up-inspection-potential-2026-world-cup-venues-2021-11-22/. live.
  27. Web site: USA Eagles confirm match at FedEx Field. July 26, 2021. September 1, 2021. August 27, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210827061832/https://www.usa.rugby/2021/07/usa-rugby-to-host-legendary-new-zealand-all-blacks-in-washington-dc-on-saturday-october-23-at-fedex-field/. live.
  28. News: Lourim . Jake . All Blacks give U.S. rugby fans a thrill — and U.S. rugby a boost — in 1874 Cup . . October 23, 2021 . October 25, 2021 . October 24, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211024013824/https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2021/10/23/all-blacks-rugby-us-1874-cup/ . live .
  29. News: FedEx Field ranked as worst NFL stadium . . August 27, 2022 . August 15, 2023 . August 15, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230815235516/https://www.wusa9.com/article/news/local/maryland/fedex-field-ranked-worst-nfl-stadium/65-d5737e44-6c48-474f-8832-382fd536d003 . live .
  30. News: Fan-driven stadium guide considers FedEx Field the worst in almost everything . Commanders Wire . . April 16, 2023 . August 15, 2023 . August 15, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230815235652/https://commanderswire.usatoday.com/2023/04/16/washington-commanders-fedex-field-seatgeek-fan-driven-stadium-guide-worst/ . live .
  31. Web site: Hand . Mark . FedEx Field, Home Of The Priciest Beer, Ranked Worst Stadium In NFL . . . August 24, 2022 . August 24, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220824194122/https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nfl/fedex-field-home-of-the-priciest-beer-ranked-worst-stadium-in-nfl/ar-AA112VUZ . August 24, 2022.
  32. News: Ryan . Nobles . McAuliffe and Snyder have met to discuss Redskins stadium . Decision Virginia . . September 14, 2014 . August 27, 2014 . September 11, 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140911000321/http://blogs.nbc12.com/decisionvirginia/2014/08/mcauliffe-and-snyder-have-met-to-discuss-redskins-stadium.html . dead.
  33. News: Next 2 D.C. Stadium Deals Might Smell a Bit Sweeter. Marc. Fisher. The Washington Post. January 11, 2008. April 23, 2008. November 8, 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20121108214103/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/01/10/AR2007011002496.html. live.
  34. News: Redskins' Revenue Reaches $300 Million . The Washington Post . Thomas . Heath . August 20, 2005 . August 27, 2017 . March 13, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170313064727/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/08/19/AR2005081901898.html . live .
  35. News: Metro Shuttle To FedEx Field Is Scuttled . https://archive.today/20130419105041/http://articles.washingtonpost.com/2008-08-06/news/36778504_1_private-bus-shuttle-fedex-field . dead . April 19, 2013 . The Washington Post . Eric M. . Weiss . August 6, 2008.
  36. Gastelum. Andrew. Water Falls From Stands at FedEx Field, Washington Football Team Fans Claim 'Sewage'. Sports Illustrated. September 12, 2021. February 1, 2022. January 7, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220107153821/https://www.si.com/nfl/2021/09/12/washington-football-team-fans-water-leak-fedex-field-sewage. live.
  37. News: Hermann. Adam. WATCH: Stands collapse near Hurts after Eagles-WFT game. NBC Sports. January 2, 2022. February 1, 2022. February 1, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220201162510/https://www.nbcsports.com/philadelphia/eagles/watch-fedex-field-stands-collapse-eagles-jalen-hurts-leaves-field. live.
  38. Web site: January 3, 2022 . Fans deny being offered on-site medical evaluation by Washington Football Team after railing collapse at FedEx Field . March 10, 2022 . ESPN.com . en . March 10, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220310041300/https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/32987370/fans-deny-being-offered-onsite-medical-evaluation-washington-football-team-railing-collapse-fedex-field . live .
  39. Web site: January 4, 2022 . Jalen Hurts wants answers from WFT, NFL over 'near-tragic' railing collapse at FedEx Field . June 18, 2022 . yahoo.com . en . June 18, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220618213912/https://sports.yahoo.com/jalen-hurts-wants-answers-from-wft-nfl-over-near-tragic-railing-collapse-at-fed-ex-field-223802769.html . live .

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