Your D.C. Weekend: Commanders kickoff and sports fests galore
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Celebrate women in sports at Legends & Legacy. Photo: Courtesy The Wharf
It's a super sporty weekend in D.C. — whether you want to watch, play or socialize.
Why it matters: We're gearing up for high-energy fall.
🏈 Washington Commanders vs. Giants
The Commanders kick off their season Sunday at 1pm on their home turf at Northwest Stadium in Landover, MD.
- Snag tickets (starting around $160) or #RaiseHail at one of the city's many Commanders bars — including just-opened Upstate FTW (not a Bills bar, despite the name).
🎾 Legends & Legacy at The Wharf
Celebrate women in sports on Saturday (1-8pm) at The Wharf. It's free to RSVP for a day of Olympian talks, golf games for all ages, live music, and the US Open Women's Final on the jumbo screen.
🏀 Wizards 3v3 Tournament
Downtown D.C. transforms into a basketball hub on Saturday and Sunday for the Wizards 3v3 Tournament. Up to 100 teams compete in an open-air showdown outside Capital One Arena, plus youth clinics, food trucks, and family fun (free, noon-10pm daily).
🏃 George Washington Patriot Run
Race past history on Sunday at Mount Vernon. Sign up for a 10-miler or 5K ($57-$82), score a t-shirt and medal, then celebrate with music, food, and a post-race beer.
⚽ Plus: More home games! D.C. United vs. Club America (Sat, 6:30pm) and Washington Spirit vs. Seattle Reign (Sun, 4pm).
More weekend fun:
📚 National Book Festival (Sat): The Library of Congress' 25th annual National Book Festival takes over the D.C. convention center (9am-8pm).
- Meet authors, join panels, and celebrate stories across every genre — and see Axios reporter Mimi Montgomery in conversation with authors Liz Moore and Chris Whitaker about their popular literary thrillers. Free
🐾 Doggie Day Swim (Sat): Let pups splash in four outdoor DC Public Pools as the season ends (noon-4pm). Note: dog license required. Free
🎷 Rosslyn Jazz Fest (Sat): Gateway Park hosts a big jazz fest with Grammy-nominated Southern Avenue, funk and soul acts, food trucks, bars, and family fun. Free
🌱 Fall Plant & Garden Sale (Sat): Mount Vernon's Fall Plant Sale is the place to shop for heirloom varieties and the "General's Choice" selections grown from Washington's historic estate. Free to attend
🎡 DC State Fair (Sat): The DC State Fair returns in Edgewood, Northeast. Expect contests, local vendors, live entertainment, and plenty of D.C. pride. Free