New to D.C.? New to sports? Just trying to win Monday night trivia? Here’s a basic crash course on what (and who) you should be watching in D.C. sports this season and why, with City Cast DC’s resident sports expert Julia Karron.
🏈 Washington Commanders
- Where they play: Northwest Field, Landover MD
- Game to watch: December 25 vs Dallas Cowboys
- Player to know: Jayden Daniels, the team’s quarterback
- Why you should go: The Commanders are FINALLY good again. The Dan Snyder days are done, the team made it to the NFC Championship game last year, and they’re gonna get a fancy new stadium. Tickets won’t come cheap anymore, but if you’re willing to make the trek, get ready for tailgating in the parking lot and the dulcet sounds of Hail To The Commanders.
🏀 Washington Wizards
- Where they play: Capital One Arena, Chinatown
- Game to watch: January 30 vs Los Angeles Lakers
- Player to know: CJ McCollum, guard
- Why you should go: Listen, the Wiz are in tough shape. They’re in a playoff drought, the games tend to be empty, and the roster is a mix of newbies and has-beens. This is a moment where you buy a nosebleed ticket and then make your way as close to courtside as you can.
🏒 Washington Capitals
- Where they play: Capital One Arena, Chinatown
- Game to watch: April 12 vs Pittsburgh Penguins
- Player to know: Alex Ovechkin, the team’s captain
- Why you should go: This might be home-grown sports celebrity Alex Ovechkin’s last year. He broke Wayne Gretzky’s all-time scoring record and the team is giving out paper tickets. If you want to be a part of literal sports history and have the opportunity to frame it, this is your chance.
Washington Commanders against the New York Giants at the Northwest Stadium in Landover, MD on Sept. 7, 2025. (The Washington Post/Getty Images)
⚽ Washington Spirit
- Where they play: Audi Field, Navy Yard
- Game to watch: November 7-9 TBD Playoff Game
- Player to know: Trinity Rodman, forward and US Women’s National Team player
- Why you should go: It’s playoff time baby! As the saying goes, everyone watches women’s sports, and now everyone watches the playoffs. Grab a $20 ticket in the standing room only section and belt out chants with the rest of the Spirit Squadron. They have signs to direct you and everything.
⚽ DC United
- Where they play: Audi Field, Navy Yard
- Game to watch: October 18 vs Atlanta United
- Player to know: Christian Benteke, forward
- Why you should go: DC United is the winningest team from D.C. Yes, a soccer club! Back in the Jaime Moreno days, DC United stacked up championships. They’re in a rebuilding phase right now, but brighter days could be ahead.
Teams that are out of season:
⚾ Washington Nationals
- Where they play: Nationals Park, Navy Yard
- Player to know: James Wood, outfielder
- Why you should go: Look, the Nationals will probably lose the game you go to, but they might have the best happy hour deal in the city. On Tuesdays you can score $12 tickets and $5 concessions (hotdogs, beers, pretzels) if you’re a D.C. resident. Happy hour isn’t dead, it just migrated to Nats Park.
🏀 Washington Mystics
- Where they play: Carefirst Arena, Congress Heights
- Player to know: Sonia Citron, guard
- Why you should go: The Mystics were cool before the Caitlin Clark effect. They were part of the District of Champions moment back in the late 2010s, scoring their first ever championship in 2019. The arena is small but mighty, and it gets loud and packed. Plus, for larger attendance games they make their way to Capital One Arena.
