Guidance visiting US sport events in autumn

Question

Hello everyone

in the end of September to the middle of October I will do visit both Toronto (25th to 27th September, Buffalo (29th to 30th), New York City (30th to 8rd of October), Philadelphia (9th to 10th) and Washington DC (11th to 16th).

As you are the experts for Washington, lets focus on that. If you are able to share also US insights, then feel free ;o)

I really would like to visit some sports events.

I already know what the NBA wont start before my end trips. NHL and NFL could be options as you to have the Commanders for NFL and the Washington Capitals for NHL. I would also be interested for college football in case of regular games,

I have never organised/booked an north american sports event. As far as I know Ticketmaster is the most popular ticket platform.

a) Is it recommended to book the tickets as soon as the schedules are out? Or is it cheaper and more flexible, booking in the resales closer to the dates?

NFL will publish the schedule next week. I dont know about MLB and NHL.

Prefered I would like to see NFL and NHL and as I will stay longer time in Washington from Saturday 11th to Thursday 16th, I really do hope finding something.

b) Are there any options for sport events, I could visit during my time frame in Washington?

c) If there are any other hints, please let me know

Many thanks for your advices

Answer

Visiting sports events in the U.S., particularly in Washington DC, can be an exciting experience, especially in the autumn when NFL, NHL, and college football seasons are underway. Here’s a detailed overview to help plan your visit and maximize your chances of seeing the games you want.

a) Booking Tickets – Timing and Platforms

In general, North American sports tickets can be purchased in two main ways: directly from official platforms like Ticketmaster, or through resale platforms such as StubHub or SeatGeek. Each approach has pros and cons:

Booking as soon as schedules are released: This is recommended if you want guaranteed seats for popular games, especially NFL or college football, which can sell out quickly. Early booking often secures better seating options and sometimes slightly lower prices than last-minute resales.
Booking via resale closer to the event: Prices can fluctuate. Occasionally you can find cheaper seats shortly before the game, but for high-demand events (like NFL or Capitals games in DC), this can be risky. Also, availability may be limited for preferred sections.
Tip: Once the NFL schedule is released, mark the games of interest immediately and compare official tickets versus resale prices. For NHL, the Capitals’ schedule is typically released in early summer, so you can check then.

b) Sports Options in Washington DC from September 11th to 16th

During your stay in mid-September to mid-October, you have multiple options:

NFL: Washington Commanders home games are held at FedExField in Landover, MD. With your dates, it’s possible one or two home games will occur, as the NFL season typically starts early September. Check the upcoming schedule once released.
NHL: Washington Capitals’ regular season usually starts in early October. If your trip overlaps, you could catch a home game at Capital One Arena in downtown DC.
MLB: The MLB regular season ends in late September/early October. Washington Nationals may still have home games in the first half of October. Opening October can be exciting if they are in playoff contention.
College Football: Nearby universities such as Georgetown, George Washington University, or University of Maryland may have games, but major college football games are usually outside DC or at Maryland stadiums (college football is generally Saturday). Attending an American college football game is a very authentic experience.

Other minor sports options:

Soccer: D.C. United MLS games might be in season during your visit at Audi Field.
Basketball: NBA season starts in mid-October, so you might catch a preseason game if the dates align.

c) Additional Hints and Tips

Buy tickets as soon as your preferred games are scheduled, especially for NFL, NHL, or major college football games.
Check official team websites in addition to Ticketmaster; sometimes teams sell small blocks of tickets not listed on resale platforms.
Consider transportation: FedExField is outside DC proper, so plan rideshares or Metro connections if attending Commanders games.
Arrive early at the stadiums to enjoy tailgating culture, particularly for NFL and college football games.
For NHL or MLB, downtown arenas/stadiums are accessible via Metro, making travel easier.
If flexibility is key, monitor resale markets close to the date, but don’t rely on last-minute purchases for high-demand games.

In summary, with your mid-September to mid-October window, it is very likely you can see both an NFL Commanders game and a Capitals NHL game (or even a Nationals game). Booking early after schedules are released is the safest approach, but resale platforms can provide options if you prefer flexibility or better seating options.

Guidance visiting US sport events in autumn

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