The Washington Commanders NFL team has announced additional upgrades to FedExField, bringing targeted investments in improving the stadium to more than $75m (£59m/€69m) since the franchise changed ownership in July.
The upgrades will include faster entry into the stadium, new premium seating options and suite experiences, improved food and beverage options, and sound system upgrades. Improvements will also be made to elevators and escalators, water and mechanical systems, and other infrastructure.
The Commanders announced an initial slate of $40m in renovations to FedExField back in September. These upgrades focused on improving the stadium’s infrastructure and the overall fan experience, and included updated team-branded signage, new food vendors, and three new suites.
The latest upgrades, announced yesterday (Tuesday), will give fans the opportunity to sample new experiences on game days, including a VIP field tunnel club and the 1932 Club, a new premium suite space. The Commanders will also upgrade furniture and carpeting in select premium areas, fit new terrace tables, and install an upgraded USO lounge for veterans and military members.
New market concepts and drink lanes will also be fitted throughout FedExField to allow fans to get back to their seats more quickly. A more efficient parking system and frictionless security entry points will also be introduced, enabling fans to tailgate and get into the stadium much faster.
Meanwhile, it has emerged today that FedEx has opted to end its sponsorship of FedExField, which it has held naming rights to since 1999.
FedEx’s deal with the Commanders had been due to expire in 2026 but the company has decided to end the agreement early.
In a statement to the Associated Press, FedEx said: “We continuously review our marketing programs to ensure our investments are aligned with our evolving business objectives.
“As part of this review, we have decided to not continue as the naming-rights sponsor of FedEx Field as we focus on our broader NFL sponsorship and opportunities that reflect our global footprint.”
In July, NFL owners approved the sale of the Commanders to a group led by Josh Harris, founder and managing general partner of Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment (HBSE). The $6.05bn transaction – a record fee for a North American sports team – ended the unpopular reign of Dan Snyder.
FedExField, which opened in 1997, once had a capacity of 91,000 but this has since shrunk to 62,249. On March 9 and 10, fans who have a deposit for season tickets will be able to choose from the best available seats at the annual ‘Select Your Seat’ event at the stadium.
The Commanders have a deal to play at FedExField until September 2027 and the team has been linked with a move to Maryland or Virginia. In July, it was reported that James Comer, the chairman of the influential congressional committee that oversees Washington, D.C., was preparing to introduce legislation that could enable the District to build a new stadium for the team.
