Northwest Stadium—formerly FedEx Field and the home of the Washington Commanders—is a bit of a logistical nightmare. Let’s just be real about that. It’s tucked away in Landover, Maryland, surrounded by a sea of asphalt and suburban sprawl. If you’re looking for hotels near Commanders Stadium, you aren't just looking for a bed. You’re looking for a survival strategy.
Traffic in the DMV (DC, Maryland, Virginia) area is legendary for all the wrong reasons. On a Sunday afternoon when the Commanders are playing a division rival, the Capital Beltway turns into a parking lot. I’ve seen fans miss the entire first quarter because they thought a five-mile drive would take ten minutes. It won't. Picking the right hotel is basically the difference between a high-fiving-strangers kind of weekend and a screaming-at-your-GPS kind of weekend.
The Reality of Staying in Landover
Staying right next to the stadium sounds smart on paper. You think, "Hey, I'll just walk!" Well, Landover isn't exactly a pedestrian paradise. Most of the immediate area is industrial or residential, and while there are a few options like the WoodSpring Suites Washington DC Northeast, they fill up months in advance.
These budget-friendly spots are fine if you just need a place to crash, but don't expect luxury. You're paying for the proximity. Honestly, the prices during game weeks can get pretty offensive. You might see a room that usually goes for $120 suddenly listed at $400. That’s the "Commanders Tax." If you're going to pay those prices, you might as well stay somewhere with a decent bar or a decent breakfast.
The Courtyard by Marriott Albany/Largo is a frequent go-to for fans. It’s about two miles out. Is it walkable? Technically, if you’re ambitious and the weather holds up. But most people end up Ubering, which brings us to the next problem: the rideshare surge. After the game, getting an Uber out of the stadium is like trying to find a needle in a haystack, except the haystack is also on fire and costs $90.
Largo is Your Best Bet for Convenience
If you want to stay close but actually have access to things like food and a pharmacy, look toward Largo. The Residence Inn Largo Medical Center is a solid choice because of the suites. When you're traveling with a group of friends for a game, having a kitchen and a bit of extra floor space for jerseys and gear is a lifesaver.
Largo is also home to the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Largo-Washington DC. This is usually where you’ll find a mix of visiting fans and the occasional media person. It’s dependable. You get the cookie at check-in, the beds are predictable, and it’s close enough to the Blue and Silver Metro lines.
That’s the secret, really. The Metro.
The Morgan Boulevard Station is the primary stop for the stadium. If you stay at a hotel near a Blue or Silver line station further out, you can often save $100 a night and actually get to the stadium faster than someone fighting traffic in a rental car. Places like the Homewood Suites by Hilton Largo/Washington, D.C. are right in that sweet spot. You get the suburban comfort without being trapped in the immediate stadium gridlock.
Why Some Fans Choose New Carrollton instead
New Carrollton is just north of the stadium and it’s a massive transit hub. The Courtyard by Marriott Washington, D.C./New Carrollton is right there. It’s a bit of a utilitarian choice, sure. But here’s why it works: you have the Orange Line, the MARC train, and Amtrak all right there.
If you’re coming in from New York or Philly for an away game, you can literally step off the Amtrak and be at your hotel in three minutes. From there, you're a short drive or a quick train hop away from the action. It lacks the "charm" of DC, but it’s efficient. And when you’re dealing with NFL crowds, efficiency is a form of luxury.
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Avoiding the "Near the Stadium" Trap
Marketing is a funny thing. You’ll see hotels listed as "near Commanders Stadium" that are actually in Alexandria, Virginia. Sure, it’s only 10 miles away "as the crow flies." But you aren't a crow. You're a human in a Chevy Suburban. That 10-mile drive across the Woodrow Wilson Bridge can take an hour on a bad day.
If you do stay in Alexandria—which is a much nicer place to spend an evening than Landover—just know what you’re getting into. The Westin Alexandria Old Town is beautiful. You’ll have great dinners and see the Potomac. But you need to leave for the stadium at least three hours before kickoff if you want to tailgate. No joke.
The Luxury Route: DC Proper
Let’s say you don’t care about the budget. You want the full experience. In that case, stay at the InterContinental Washington D.C. - The Wharf. It’s gorgeous. You're on the water. You have some of the best food in the city within walking distance.
To get to the game, you take the Metro from L'Enfant Plaza. It’s a straight shot on the Blue/Silver line to Morgan Boulevard. It’ll take about 35-40 minutes on the train. You’ll be surrounded by other fans, the energy is great, and you don’t have to deal with the $60 parking fees at the stadium.
Staying in the city also means you aren't stuck in a suburban food desert after the game. Landover doesn't have a lot of "celebration" spots. If the Commanders actually pull off a win, you’ll want to be near 14th Street or The Wharf to actually enjoy the vibe.
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A Note on Pricing and Booking
I’ve seen people wait until the week of the game to book, hoping for a "last-minute deal." In the world of NFL travel, that is a recipe for disaster. Hotels near Commanders Stadium operate on a supply-and-demand curve that is incredibly steep.
- Book fully refundable rates: Plans change. Injuries happen. Schedules get flexed. Don't get locked into a non-refundable room three months out.
- Check for "Game Day" packages: Some hotels in the Largo area offer shuttles. These are worth their weight in gold. Even if the hotel is slightly more expensive, if they provide a bus that drops you at the gate, take it.
- Verify the parking situation: Some hotels in the area charge $20-$30 a night for parking on top of the room rate. Read the fine print.
Navigating the Area Like a Local
If you’re driving in, try to avoid the Beltway (I-495) as much as possible, though I realize that’s like telling someone to avoid water in the ocean. Use apps like Waze, but take them with a grain of salt. Local police often close roads around the stadium for "crowd control" that the apps don't always pick up immediately.
For food near the stadium hotels, you're mostly looking at chains. There’s a Copper Canyon Grill in Glenarden that’s actually pretty decent for a post-game meal. It’s in the Woodmore Towne Centre, which is a massive shopping complex. If you're staying at the Holiday Inn Express & Suites I-95-Capitol Beltway, you'll likely spend a lot of time in this shopping center. It has a Wegmans, too, which is the gold standard for grabbing tailgate supplies or a quick sandwich.
Final Logistics Check
Most fans underestimate the walk from the Metro or the parking lots. It’s about a mile from the Morgan Boulevard station to the actual gates. If someone in your party has mobility issues, staying at a hotel further away with a dedicated stadium drop-off service is much better than staying "close" and having to walk that mile.
The stadium itself is showing its age. It’s been criticized for years, and while the new ownership is making updates, the infrastructure of the surrounding Landover area remains the same. It's a high-volume, high-stress environment on game days.
When picking your spot, prioritize your exit strategy. If you need to catch a flight out of Reagan National (DCA) right after a 1:00 PM game, staying in Crystal City is smarter. You can Metro to the game and be right next to the airport for your evening flight. If you're staying for the whole weekend, Largo offers the best balance of price and proximity.
Next Steps for Your Trip
- Check the Metro Map: Before booking, pull up the WMATA map. If your hotel isn't within a 10-minute walk of a Blue, Silver, or Orange line station, you're going to spend a fortune on Ubers.
- Verify the Stadium Name: Make sure you're searching for "Northwest Stadium" or "Commanders Stadium." Some older third-party booking sites still use "FedEx Field," which can lead to confusing results.
- Download the SmartTrip App: Don't faff around with paper tickets at the station. Load $20 onto a digital card on your phone before you even leave your hotel.
- Confirm Shuttle Services: If a hotel claims to have a shuttle, call the front desk directly. Sometimes these services are "seasonal" or only run during specific windows.
Getting a room is easy. Getting the right room requires knowing that Landover is a place you visit, not a place you wander around. Pick your base, map your route, and focus on the game.