The ultimate guide to sports teams in Northern Virginia

Whether you’re a sports fanatic — or just look good in red and white — when it comes to athletics, NOVA has no shortage of teams to support. Our city is home to some of the most loyal fans in the country; become one of them with this guide to everything you need to know about NOVA sports.

🏈 Washington Commanders (NFL) | Est. 1932

This professional football team, based in Washington, DC, is part of the NFC East division. While the team currently plays in Landover, Maryland, they are planning to build a new stadium where RFK Stadium is located.
Where they play:

• Northwest Stadium
• Just five miles east of DC, you can watch the Washington Commanders, with a capacity of 67,617.

Cheer them on:

• Mascot: Major Tuddy
• The official cheer + dance team for the Commander is called the Command Force.
• Shop for merch.

Major accomplishments:

• The Washington Commanders have won three Super Bowls — in 1982, 1987, and 1991. They’ve competed in a total of five Super Bowl games.
• Joe Gibbs is a legendary coach for the team, coaching from 1981 to 1992 and again from 2004 to 2007. He led the team to all three of their Super Bowl victories.

See the team’s schedule.

⚾ Washington Nationals (MLB) | Est. 2005

This Major League Baseball team competes in the National League East division. It was originally founded as the Montreal Expos in 1969, and the team relocated to DC in 2005.
Where they play:

• Nationals Park
• When the team moved to DC, they played their first three seasons at RFK Stadium.

Cheer them on:

• Mascot: Screech
• Started by a fan in section 313, the most common chant to cheer on the Washington Nationals is “N-A-T-S Nats, Nats, Nats, Woo!”
• Make sure to stick around for the race of the “Rushmore Four.” Who are you rooting for: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, or Theodore “Teddy” Roosevelt?
• Shop for merch.

Major accomplishments:

• The Washington Nationals won their only World Series championship in 2019 against the Houston Astros in a close series.
• They have won their division five times since their move to DC in 2005.

See the team’s schedule.

⚾ Fredericksburg Nationals (MiLB) | Est. 1984

The Fredericksburg Nationals, often called the FredNats, are a Minor League Baseball team based in Fredericksburg, Virginia. They’re the Single-A affiliate of the Washington Nationals, playing in the Carolina League.

Where they play:

• Virginia Credit Union Stadium
• The team began playing at Virginia Credit Union Stadium in 2021, with construction completed on the venue in 2020.

Cheer them on:

• Mascot: Gus
• Sign your child up for the Fun Land Kid’s Club to enjoy exclusive events and activities.
• Shop for merch.

Major accomplishments:

• In 2024, the team secured its first Carolina League Championship title.
• In 2025, they introduced the Fredericksburg Frogs alternate identity, honoring an all-Black amateur baseball team from the 1910s and 1920s.

See the team’s schedule.

🏒 Washington Capitals (NHL) | Est. 1974

This hockey team is a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference. The team also has two minor league affiliate teams: the Hershey Bears of the American Hockey League (AHL) and the South Carolina Stingrays of the ECHL.
Where they play:

• Capital One Arena
• Opened in 1997 as the MCI Center, the venue adopted its current name, Capital One Arena, in 2017. Before this, the team played at Capital Centre in Landover, Maryland.

Cheer them on:

• Mascot: Slapshot
• When Alex Ovechkin, left wing, scores a goal, they play “Shake, Rattle and Roll” by Big Joe Turner. Seeing he’s the top goal scorer in the NHL, you will quickly become familiar with this tune.
• The team hosts a variety of promotional theme nights. Take a look at the 2025-2026 season schedule here.
• Shop for merch.

Major accomplishments:

• The Capitals won their only Stanley Cup game against the Vegas Golden Knights in five games.
• Alex Ovechkin is known to be one of its star players. He won the Rocket Richard Trophy nine times, is the leading goal scorer in NHL history, and won the Conn Smythe Trophy in 2018 (playoff MVP).

See the team’s schedule.

🏀 Washington Wizards (NBA) | Est. 1961

Founded as the Chicago Packers, the team became the Zephyrs, then moved to Baltimore. After a brief stint as the Capital Bullets, they became the Washington Bullets — and in 1997, rebranded as the Washington Wizards.
Where they play:

• Capital One Arena
• Before playing at Capital One Arena, the Washington Wizards played at the Capital Centre in Landover, Maryland.

Cheer them on:

• Mascot: G-Wiz
• The team mantra is “Rep the District.”
• Shop for merch.

Major accomplishments:

• The team has performed in the NBA finals four times, winning its only championship in 1978.
• The Washington Wizards have produced various Hall of Fame players: Wes Unseld, Elvin Hayes, Earl Monroe, Gus Johnson, Phil Chenier, Walt Bellamy, Moses Malone, Bernard King, and Michael Jordan.

See the team’s schedule.

🏀 Washington Mystics (WNBA) | Est. 1998

Part of the Eastern Conference in the Women’s National Basketball Association, it’s one of the league’s early expansion teams.
Where they play:

• CareFirst Arena
• This arena has 4,200 seats.
• This venue is located in the Congress Heights neighborhood in Washington, DC.

Cheer them on:

• Mascot: Pax the Panda
• Shop for merch.

Major accomplishments:

• The team won its first WNBA title in 2019, defeating the Connecticut Sun. They were the first team in the WNBA to win a championship on their home court.
• They’ve made 13 appearances in the WNBA playoffs.

See the team’s schedule.

⚽ Loudoun County FC (USL) | Est. 2018

This professional soccer league is based in Leesburg and competes in the USL Championship, the second tier of American soccer. In 2019, Loudoun County FC became the reserve team for DC United.

Where they play:

• Segra Field
• This venue has a 5,000-seat capacity.
• Construction for the venue began in March 2019, with the total cost being around $15 million.

Cheer them on:

• Mascot: Winger
• The official support group for Loudoun County FC is The Loudoun Stampede.
• Shop for merch.

Major accomplishments:

• 2024 has been the team’s most successful season with a record of 11W-14L-9D.
• In 2025, the team merged with the Virginia Revolution Soccer Club.

See the team’s schedule.

⚽ DC United (MLS) | Est. 1996

DC United is Washington, DC’s Major League Soccer team, founded in 1996 as one of the league’s original clubs. Known for its passionate fan base and iconic black-and-red colors, the team has a storied history, including four MLS Cup championships.
Where they play:

• Audi Field
• This venue has a capacity of about 20,000.
• Groundbreaking for Audi Field took place in 2017, with the stadium opening its doors in 2018.

Cheer them on:

• Mascots: Talon the Eagle + Ronnie the Racoon
• Headed to a game? Learn the chants here.
• Shop for merch.

Major accomplishments:

• The club has won the Supporters’ Shield, given to the team with the best regular season record, four times.
• DC United won the US Open Cup on three occasions: 1996, 2008, and 2013.

See the team’s schedule.

⚽ Washington Spirit (NWSL) | Est. 2012

The Spirit has become a standout club in women’s soccer, highlighted by winning the 2021 NWSL Championship. The team is known for developing top US women’s national team talent.
Where they play:

• Audi Field
• You can join the Spirit Squadron and supporters as they march to Audi Field before kickoff.

Cheer them on:

• Mascots: PK Eagle
• Learn the chants — you can even hear how they sound on this website.
• Shop for merch.

Major accomplishments:

• The team won the 2021 NWSL Championship against the Chicago Stars.
• Seven Spirit players represented four different countries in the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2023.

See the team’s schedule.

🛼 NOVA Roller Derby (WFTDA) | Est. 2011

NOVA Roller Derby is a women-led flat-track roller derby league based in Northern Virginia. Founded in 2006, it features competitive teams that play high-energy, full-contact bouts throughout the region.
Where they play:

• Michael + Son Sportsplex

Cheer them on:

• The slogan for this team is “Skate hard, give back.”
• Flat Track derby is played on a flat, oval track and consists of two 30-minute periods.

Major accomplishments:

• In May 2023, the team reached its highest-ever regional ranking at 42nd in the North America Northeast division.

See the team’s schedule.

🏉 NOVA Rugby (USA Club Rugby) | Est. 1976

The NOVA Rugby Club is a competitive men’s rugby team that competes in both regional and national tournaments.

Where they play:

• Gravelly Point Park
• Make sure to bring a chair or a blanket to sit on because this venue does not have stands.

Cheer them on:

• Mascot: “The Bird”
• Shop for merch.

Major accomplishments:

• 2025 USA Club Rugby 7s National Champions in a match against the Chicago Lions.
• The 7s and 15s teams both have played in numerous MAC Championships and Nationals.

See the team’s schedule.

🏉 Northern Virginia Women’s Rugby Club (USA Club Rugby) | Est. 1982

The NOVA Women’s Rugby team is a competitive squad dedicated to promoting women’s rugby and developing top-tier players. This team competes in various games around the region and the United States.

Where they play:

• Gravelly Point Park
• Make sure to bring a chair or a blanket to sit on because this venue does not have stands.

Cheer them on:

• Mascot: Piranha
• Shop for merch.

Major accomplishments:

• The USA Rugby Division I were National Champions in 2024, 2022, and 2019.

See the 15s team’s schedule.
See the 7s team’s schedule.