FedEx Field
Washington Redskins
About Stadium
The home of the Washington Redskins, FedEx Field is located in Prince George’s County, Maryland. Opened in 1997, the stadium’s capacity eventually ballooned to 91,000 from 2004 to 2010, as the Redskins fanbase set the record for paid attendance. The capacity was downsized to its current size of 82,000 today.
The stadium has garnered a lot of criticism over the years and was ranked 28th out of 31 NFL stadiums for quality fan gameday experience. Partially due to some poor design flaws that were made in efforts to maximize profits, but have caused other challenges.
The DC United Men’s soccer team in the MLS declined to follow the Redskins when they parted from Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium, and still plays at the stadium. However, they are currently looking for a new stadium in the Washington DC area.
After almost 20 seasons played at FedEx field, owner, Dan Snyder is in the beginning stages of shopping around for a new venue potentially in Downtown DC or even the Virginia area
While the team has never soldout the stadium, they’ve also never had a game blacked-out on local television since 1972.
The stadium is considered to cater to the more wealthy fans with an excessive number of suites throughout the stadium, and a number of other promotional seating packages such as “Dream Seating” located directly behind the bench.
•Capacity: 82,000
•Opened: September 14, 1997
•Playing Surface: Latitude 36 Bermuda Grass
•Location: 1600 FedEx Way
Landover, Maryland 20785
History
• In 1994 the Redskins began their search for a replacement of their current home, Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium in Washington, D.C. The plan had originally targeted Laurel Park Racecourse along Whiskey Bottom as the location for the stadium, but due to lack of parking, the destination was changed to Landover, Maryland.
• The stadium opened in 1997 by the name of Jack Kent Cooke Stadium, in honor of the late owner of the team.
• In May of 1999, Dan Snyder purchased the team and the field from the Cooke estate. Later that year, in November of 1999, Snyder sold the naming rights to FedEx for $7.6 million per year.
• From 2004 to 2010, the Redskins continually set the record for home paid attendance.
• On January 8, 2000, the Redskins got their first Playoff victory at FedEx field, by a score of 27-13 against the Detroit Lions.
• The stadium has hosted a number of notable College Football Games including the 2004 Black Coaches Association Classic, the BCA Classic, the 112th Army vs Navy game, and the West Virginia vs James Madison game played on September 15, 2012.
• In July 2005, the local soccer team, DC United played host to Chelsea F.C. at the stadium, with 31,473 in attendance.
Past and Current Teams
Washington Redskins (NFL) (1997–present)
