Historically, the franchise started in Boston in 1932 as the Boston Braves, then became the Boston Redskins before moving to Washington, D.C. in 1937. That’s where the identity stuck—Washington—even though the team itself has never actually played inside the D.C. city limits for most of its modern history. The old RFK Stadium, a cherished dump of a venue in the District’s east end, was their home from 1961 to 1996. Locals still get misty-eyed about RFK’s electric atmosphere, where the stands shook and “Hail to the Redskins” felt like a religious hymn.
Today, if you’re driving to a game, you’ll end up in Prince George’s County, Maryland, about 30 minutes from downtown D.C. by car. It’s a sprawling, tailgate-friendly parking lot of a location, and honestly, it feels more like a suburban office park than a hallowed ground. But that’s the trade-off: easy highway access and room for 67,000 fans to grill burgers and argue about quarterbacks.
But Wait—Is the Name Even Real Anymore?
This is where it gets sticky. The team changed its name to Washington Commanders, but the “Redskins” branding still echoes in merchandise, memorabilia, and the hearts of fans who refuse to let go. Legally, the name is retired, but culturally, it’s like a faded tattoo. You’ll still see bumper stickers with the old logo in Virginia parking lots, and some bars in D.C. have “Redskins” specials on Sunday afternoons. The official location of the “Redskins” as a current entity? Nowhere—and everywhere, as a memory.
Fun fact: The team’s training camp used to be in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, at Dickinson College, until 2013. That little college town became a pilgrimage site for fans who wanted to see players up close. Talk about a road trip worth the gas money.
