We’re at the latter stages of this NFL schedule release news cycle. You can tell when a story like this drops into your timeline.
We’ve broken this Commanders schedule down from every possible angle, which you can backread using the related content below.
There is one stone, however, left unturned: Helping Commanders fans looking to make a road trip.
There’s a once-in-a-lifetime option on the schedule. Others could get you out of the winter cold and into a party town. Some are just ho-hum, and one might
steer you right into a blizzard.
I’ve been around the NFL long enough to have experienced every current stadium at least once, so let me play trip advisor, for this article only, and help you out planning an excellent Commanders vacation.
We’re gonna exclude the NFC East cause that’s probably nothing new for Commanders fans who like to hit the road.
And let’s be honest, those venues are meh. You shouldn’t pay to fly to Dallas and go to AT&T Stadium. It’s a venue that looks like an alien spaceship landed in the middle of a bunch of car dealerships (and a very average ballpark), just to watch the game on that giant screen? Philly’s stadium is surrounded by, well, other stadiums and not much else, not super close to a city with history less cool than Washington. The Meadowlands is the other option, where you could be close to New York but not in the city and sit in a stadium that looks like a raincloud inside and out (think about it).
We’ll veto all three of those for you and focus on the less common trips. There are some good ones, and others you should skip.
6. Jacksonville (EverBank Stadium), Week 17, Date and time TBD
This may sound insane, to pass up a chance to go to Florida in late December. Jacksonville Beach is roughly 30 minutes from city center, and a stroll in the sand might be a welcome change. But the water will be too cold and it could be windy and gross. You aren’t getting much in terms of city nightlife – I always went from hotel to game to airport for Jacksonville trips – and the stadium’s deeply rooted in 1990s tech. Not a fun or interesting place to watch a game. There’s a reason why the venue’s getting a $1.4 billion facelift.
5. Minnesota (U.S. Bank Stadium), Week 16, Date and time TBD
This was a tough one. U.S. Bank Stadium is my favorite NFL stadium. The outside is magnificent, and it’s relatively close to downtown nightlife. The inside is incredible and the pregame spectacle – they make it snow indoors!! — would be fun for someone outside the division.
But you’d have to go in late December, possibly with feet of snow on the ground. This isn’t like Green Bay or Chicago where cold is part of the game atmosphere. It would just be a logistical mess. Wait ‘til Washington plays there in the warmer months.
4. Arizona (State Farm Stadium), Sunday, Nov. 29 at 4:25 p.m. ET
Spending a longer, post-Thanksgiving weekend in the Phoenix area sounds pretty good. The weather will be warm but not hot, the golf courses are pristine and the food scene is awesome. One big problem with the trip: State Farm Stadium itself feels like you’re in a Costco with nothing on the shelves – the Cardinals should be well out of it by Week 12 and the energy could be low. The immediate surrounding entertainment district is so-so, but stay in nearby Scottsdale and you’ll have a blast no matter what you like to do. One big plus: odds are high you’re witnessing a Commanders win.
3. San Francisco (Levi’s Stadium), Monday, Oct. 19 at 8:15 p.m. ET
Picking this over Arizona came down to the game itself. Seeing a primetime game in a road stadium is fun, and Levi’s Stadium has all the modern amenities you could ever want, though everything is expensive. And, fair warning, the 49ers do NOT play in San Francisco. Levi’s is about 50 miles from the Golden Gate Bridge, often through heavy traffic. The San Jose area is nice but not a tourist destination. (I lived in the Bay Area for nine years). If you want to see San Francisco and make a long weekend of it, that’s possible and worth it cause the city is gorgeous. Pro tip. I once took an Uber from San Francisco to Levi’s. If you go early to a primetime game (which you should) and pack the car with at least three folks, it’s not that long a trip and not that expensive.
2. Tennessee (Nissan Stadium), Sunday, Dec. 6, 1 p.m. ET
The Titans aren’t very good, but finding a warmer climate in the winter is a good idea. Nissan Stadium is right downtown, likely walkable from most places you might be staying. That part of Nashville is super fun, with live music at essentially every venue or bar you can find. Even if you’re not a country music fan, there’s plenty for you. The stadium’s right on a river, and while the amenities aren’t super nice, the sightlines are great and there aren’t bad seats in the house. There’s a fun trip ahead (and likely a Washington win) in store.
1. Indianapolis in London (Tottenham Hotspur Stadium), Oct. 4, 9:30 a.m. ET
This trip is obviously not cheap. You’re flying across the Atlantic and staying in a super expensive city, but it’s nothing like seeing NFL football in the U.S. London’s a great town. A-plus. Tottenham Hotspur Stadium is modern and amazing in most every way. You can take public transit the whole time if you want and experience England while watching your favorite team play. These teams play abroad a ton, and it’s worth watching the Commanders play overseas if you can. Count this as a great opportunity to do so.
Which road games do you plan on attending this season?
