Washington Commanders launch Tunnel Club

Article posted by Coliseum, August 2^nd, 2024

Image: Populous

The NFL’s Washington Commanders are set to unveil an array of upgrades to their Commanders Field stadium in Landover this season, including a new Tunnel Club.

The Washington Post said the “Tunnel Club,” a 2,100 square foot space in the tunnel of the stadium, will give 150 season ticket holders access to an area where players travel to and from the field and locker room.

Membership of the Tunnel Club includes exclusive stadium entry, parking, field access before the game and all-inclusive food and beverage. It also comes with admission to select events with team executives and an all-inclusive trip to a road game, among other perks.

The Washington Commanders are a professional American football team based in the Washington metropolitan area (US). The Commanders compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the National Football Conference East division.

Image: Populous

The 67,617-capacity Commanders Field is an American football stadium located in Landover, Maryland, 5 miles east of Washington, D.C. (US). The stadium is the home of the Washington Commanders. From 2004 until 2010, it had the NFL’s largest seating capacity: Over 91,000.

Earlier this year the Commanders announced a slew of additional upgrades to their home stadium, bringing targeted investments in improving the stadium and fan and player experience to a total of more than $75 million, once completed, since new ownership purchased the team in July 2023.

The upgrades will be noticeable from the moment fans enter the parking lots and include faster entry into the stadium, new premium seating options and suite experiences, improved food and beverage options, and sound system upgrades.

The stadium has also had a structural refresh, including upgrades to elevators and escalators, water and mechanical systems, and other infrastructure improvements.

Image: Populous

Fans will have the opportunity to enjoy new experiences throughout gameday, including the VIP field Tunnel Club where they can purchase access to cheer on the Commanders from feet away as the team takes the field.

The team worked with architectural design firm Populous on the club concept and turned to Clark Construction to build it.

The Washington Post further stated that the chance to high-five Terry McLaurin pregame doesn’t come cheap. Membership starts at $15,000 and includes two passes to the Tunnel Club.

Washington’s ownership group, led by Josh Harris, began to make incremental improvements before its inaugural season and has continued to make alterations ahead of Year 2.

The aim is to create a more attractive game-day experience in Landover while continuing to search for a new stadium location in D.C., Maryland or Virginia.

Image: Populous

Harris said last year, “We’re going to improve the existing stadium as much as we can while we look for a new home because it’s not the bones, necessarily. The bones obviously can be repaired; they can be fixed.

“It’s more the way modern stadiums are set up; they’re very different than stadiums that are older. And so whether it’s the premium areas being really close to the game itself, how the suites are situated, how much premium there is, the WiFi — I mean, a lot of that stuff just can’t be done in an older stadium. So, we’re going to be looking at ultimately how do we move to a new stadium.”

The team announced most of the changes in February, including the 1932 Club, a 22,000 square foot premium space for season ticket holders. It includes 28 private suites for up to 12 people apiece (all are sold out) and 108 theater box seats.

Washington also added touchless security at all of the stadium’s entry gates, upgraded the sound system and lighting, added touchless food and beverage markets on the main concourse, resurfaced parking lots and updated furnishings and carpet on the club level.

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