It’s official: Commanders training camp will run from July 27-August 18, and it will be almost exclusively held at the team facility in Ashburn, Virginia.
The schedule, announced Thursday, does not include a trip to Richmond as it has every season since 2013 (minus the pandemic-affected 2020 campaign). In fact, the only day outside Ashburn will be an August 6 practice at FedEx Field, a practice that will be free and open to the public to attend.
Head coach Ron Rivera had noted earlier this offseason that despite the popularity of the Richmond trip, it cost $100,000 last year, and just wasn’t financially feasible for the franchise.
“The problem with (traveling to Richmond) is it’s not, from what I’m learning, it’s not financially equitable,” Rivera said at the NFL owner’s meetings in March. “You’re there a short, brief time then you gotta move everything and get yourself set up again.”
The FedEx Field practice is truly open, and there will be a lottery system for fans to enter to attend the practices in Ashburn, which the team will release more details about as camp approaches.
“Our inaugural training camp as the Commanders will not only offer our fans front row seats as the team prepares for the kickoff of the 2022 season but also will deliver these experiences across our Commanders community,” team president Jason Wright said in a statement. “We are excited to provide a variety of fan-facing opportunities across the region so fans can come out, watch the team prepare, interact with the players and coaching staff, and join in on the excitement celebrating our first season in this new era.”
Follow Lou DiPietro on Twitter: @LouDiPietroWFAN