FedEx Field Seats in Sun & Shade

Unlike the local baseball team, the Washington Commanders (formerly Football Team) plays ten miles east of the nation’s capital at FedEx Field in Maryland. The first few months of the NFL season are still quite toasty in the Mid-Atlantic region and fans may seek the relief of a seat in the shade. Later in the season when the weather turns brisk finding a seat in the sun will likely improve your gameday experience. Use this article in combination with the FedEx Field seating chart to find the seats in the shade and sun.

Where are the seats in the shade and sun at FedEx Field?

As a general rule, the seats in the shade at FedEx Field are located:

• On the Football Team’s home side of the field
• In the lower bowl in a row three quarters of the way back and under cover

And the seats in the sun at FedEx Field are located:

• On the visitor’s side of the field
• In rows closer to the field and not under cover

Most games at FedEx Field kick off at 1:00pm with the occasional night game or late afternoon start. For specific details about sections and start times, read on.

FedEx Field Orientation to the Sun

FedEx Field is oriented in a northwest to southeast direction. By noon the sun is high in the sky near the southeast endzone. Over the course of the afternoon it dips down behind home field side of the stadium and eventually sets near the northwest endzone.

The graphic below shows the approximate location of the sun throughout the day on October 1st.

Click or tap here to see an interactive seating chart at FedEx Field.​

Seats in the Sun and Shade at Early Afternoon Washington Commanders Games

Depending on the time of year a seat in the shade or in the sun may be preferable. The sun advances across the afternoon sky behind the home side of the field. That means that fans in sections 101-105, 138-142, 301-305, and 338-342 will experience shade the earliest. In the upper bowl sections 401-404 and 451-454 will get shade once the sun dips below the stadium structure. Eventually seats in the northwest corner of the stadium, near the endzone, will be shaded too.

If you’re seeking the rays of the sun, most sections on the visitor’s side of the field will keep you warm, as long as its not a cloudy day. Sections 117-136 and 317-336 are a good bet. Just don’t sit so far back that you’re under cover that blocks the sun. The upper bowl sections 424-431 will get plenty of sun, but seats in the nosebleeds are so high the wind chill might cancel it out on a breezy day.

Seats in the Sun and Shade at Late Afternoon Washington Commanders Games

When Washington kicks off after 4:00pm it’s a lot easier to find a seat in the shade than in the sun. For late day games, most seats on the home side of the field, as well as home-half of the endzone sections, will be shaded for most or all the game. If you’re looking for sun, stick to the visitor’s side of the field. The sun is low in the sky at this time of day and depending on the exact time of year it may be dark before halftime!

Ready to buy shaded seats at FedEx Field?

Use the individual game links on the side (or middle of the page on mobile) or click or tap here to see the Washington Commanders upcoming game list. Learn about why we recommend buying NFL tickets on SeatGeek.

Enjoy the game!

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