The Washington Football Team will kick off its preparations for the 2021 season at Bon Secours Training Center in Richmond.
Team officials on Friday announced their plans for a return to the Virginia capital for this season’s NFL training camp.
After the COVID-19 pandemic substantially altered the 2020 NFL season, some anxious football fans weren’t sure what this year would bring.
But for local WTF supporters, there’s a reason for celebration. Not only will Washington host camp at Bon Secours Training Center, but fans will be able to attend the festivities.
WTF training camp at Bon Secours Training Center
The good news is that the Virginia-headquartered team will return to Richmond for training camp. The bad news, though, is that it’s a shortened camp and will last just five days, from July 27-31. Afterward, the ream will head to its home base in Ashburn, Virginia, for final preparations before preseason games begin.
Still, it’s a big step toward normality for football fans who watched the 2020 season unfold in front of empty stands.
WFT officials haven’t yet set a detailed schedule or ticket procedures for the training camp. However, they encourage folks to visit a dedicated training camp hub for the latest news. Ultimately, free fan passes will be available.
Additionally, the WFT training camp won’t feature just team practices. Team executives have planned “unique fan experiences and special themed days” throughout the team’s stay in town.
The City of Richmond built the Bon Secours Training Center for the WFT in 2013. An eight-year agreement ended last season (despite the lack of an actual training camp there due to COVID-19). But they reached a deal for 2021, and now the training camp will have full capacity for fans.
WFT President Jason Wright stated:
“Our entire organization is thrilled to return to Richmond for Training Camp this year. Our time spent in Richmond has been successful on and off the field, highlighted by the connection to our fans along with our community engagement efforts that have positively impacted Richmond and the surrounding area. We look forward to strengthening our relationship with the City of Richmond as we return and kick off our 2021 season.”
Washington Football Team odds for 2021
Washington is fresh off an NFC East title in 2020. The team finished the regular season with a 7-9 record but benefited from a down year in the division. They, unfortunately, also made a quick first-round exit from the NFL Playoffs.
Expectations remain subdued for the team as we head into 2021. As we previously reported, at BetMGM in Virginia, Washington is a 66-1 long shot (+6600) in the latest 2021 Super Bowl odds.
The team’s odds to win the NFC (+2700 at FanDuel in VA) and NFC East (+300 at BetMGM) aren’t much more encouraging.
Still, when the team returns to FedExField in Maryland for the regular season, they’ll do so with a new quarterback. Offseason addition Ryan Fitzpatrick will face plenty of pressure as WFT fans want to see the team make some progress. After all, Washington hasn’t won a postseason game since 2015.
Perhaps mingling with fans in Richmond to kick off the season will give the WFT a jolt.
As Washington Football Team head coach Ron Rivera stated:
“Going away for training camp has always been something I find valuable and believe is a positive experience for building team camaraderie. We are eager to get to Richmond to start training camp, and I know I speak for all our players and coaches in saying we are excited to have the opportunity to reach and engage with a different part of our fanbase and see what the city of Richmond has to offer.”
Washington opens the regular season with a home game against the Los Angeles Chargers on Sept. 12. The WFT is a 1-point to 1.5-point underdog.
