First Sportsbook Inside NFL Stadium Opens at FedEx Field

The Washington Commanders opened the Fanatics Sportsbook at FedEx Field last Friday.
With an area of 5,000 square feet, the sportsbook has 8 betting windows, 21 self-service betting kiosks, 38 TV monitors, and two LED walls.
It is the first retail sportsbook to be built inside an NFL arena.

The Washington Commanders and partner Fanatics opened the first retail sportsbook inside an NFL stadium last Friday.

The first sportsbook inside an NFL stadium 👀
This morning, the @Fanatics Sportsbook at FedExField officially opened! pic.twitter.com/Ymb86w0eze
— FedExField (@FedExField) January 20, 2023

Washington Commanders 2022 Fan of the Year Chris Bryant placed the inaugural wager at the Fanatics Sportsbook. Bryant wagered $20 on a parlay featuring the Washington Wizards and Washington Capitals to win their next respective outings at +167 odds.

The Fanatics Sportsbook at FedEx Field in Maryland marks the first-ever venture into the sports betting industry for the sports apparel giant. It is also the 4th in-stadium sportsbook in the state, joining Audi Field, Capital One Arena, and Nationals Park.

In a statement, Washington Commanders President and former NFL player Jason Wright, said:

“When our journey began over two years ago, we knew we had to reinvigorate the guest experience at FedEx Field and open the campus to the community. Today is a special moment in realizing that vision as we open this innovative sportsbook, operating seven days a week for sports fans throughout our community.”

First Retail Sportsbook Inside NFL Stadium

Last September, the Arizona Cardinals opened a 17,000-square-foot BetMGM sportsbook at State Farm Stadium. However, while that was the first-ever brick-and-mortar sportsbook at an NFL stadium, it was built on The Great Lawn, which sits outside the Cardinals’ home stadium. On the other hand, the Commanders’ Fanatics Sportsbook is actually inside the stadium.

The sportsbook is located next to the Washington Commanders Team Store, which is also operated by Fanatics. With the store and sportsbook sitting next to each other, fans will get a “super fan experience” when at FedEx Field as they can watch games, buy team gear, and place sports wagers in one area.

It has a total area of 5,000 square feet and features 8 betting windows, 21 self-service betting kiosks, and a full-service restaurant that boasts 38 TV monitors and two LED video walls. The sportsbook is open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 12 midnight. Per NFL policy, however, sportsbooks at NFL stadiums are not allowed to accept bets on game days so the Fanatics Sportsbook at FedEx Field will be open for dining only when the Commanders play at home.

Opening a Sportsbook a Priority of Commanders President

According to Wright, building a retail sportsbook inside FedEx Field was his priority after he took over in August 2020. Wright said that shortly after he was hired, he began talking to Maryland House of Delegates speaker Adrienne Jones and Maryland Senate President Bill Ferguson.

Wright termed it as a “downpayment on a revamped experience” at FedEx Field. The stadium has had its share of issues over the years. The Commanders are looking to secure land to build another stadium but they don’t have to leave FedEx Field until 2026. They have the option to renew their contract to play at the venue if they cannot build a new stadium yet.

Sports betting was legalized in Washington D.C. way back in 2019. But the NFL was opposed to gambling for a long time before recently embracing it after the sports betting boom. In 2021, the league announced the first sports betting partnership. Meanwhile, the Commanders received approval for a five-year sports betting license in August 2022.

Fanatics’ Foray into Sports Betting

Last year, Fanatics announced that it would expand its horizons by venturing into the sports betting industry. During the announcement, CEO Michael Rubin declared that his company plans to go live in around 15 to 20 U.S. states before the start of the 2023 NFL season. While that may have sounded too ambitious, it’s clear that Rubin and Fanatics are making a move.

So far, aside from its presence in Maryland, Fanatics has sports betting licenses to operate in Ohio and Massachusetts. It has yet to launch in Ohio but already has partnerships with the Columbus Blue Jacket and Cleveland Guardians in place while it has told the Massachusetts Gaming Commission that it will be ready to join the statewide online sports betting launch in March. Fanatics also has pending license approvals in six other states, including Pennsylvania.

Fanatics has also been rumored to be eyeing to acquire BetParx, although the company has yet to confirm those stories. By acquiring BetParx, Fanatics could speed up their plan to open in 15 to 20 states by gaining market access to the states where BetParx operates.