A Sports Fan's Guide to Arlington, Virginia

Sports culture runs deep in Northern Virginia, and Arlington sits at the epicenter of the action. While the city itself hosts elite training facilities and collegiate showdowns, its position as the gateway to Washington D.C. makes it the ultimate basecamp for fans heading to see the Capitals, Wizards, or Commanders. Navigating the heavy congestion of I-66 or the George Washington Memorial Parkway on game day is a challenge for even the most seasoned local drivers.

That’s where Charter Bus Arlington comes in. We specialize in comfortable and stress-free group travel, and our big network of motorcoaches lets us connect every fan group with the perfect ride. So whether you’re planning a tailgate with your fan group at a local park or an outing with your youth team to a reliable training session, you’ll have plenty of room to stretch out, scroll through your social feed with the onboard WiFi, watch hype videos over the TVs, and enjoy the ride to these top sports venues in and around Arlington:

A few of the companies we’ve worked with

MedStar Capitals Iceplex

Located atop the Ballston Quarter parking garage, the MedStar Capitals Iceplex is a unique athletic marvel. It serves as the official practice facility for the NHL’s Washington Capitals and is the highest rink above street level in the United States. Fans can often catch morning skates for free, providing an intimate look at reliable athletes in action without the stadium price tag.

Planning a youth hockey tournament or a group skating party? The facility houses two NHL-sized rinks and multiple locker rooms, but its location in the heart of Ballston makes parking a nightmare for oversized vehicles. The public garage has a strict height clearance of 6'8", which immediately disqualifies even the smallest executive sprinters. When you book a shuttle with Charter Bus Arlington, your driver will utilize the designated commercial loading zone on N. Glebe Road. We provide a seamless "drop-and-go" service, allowing your skaters to take the elevators directly to the 8th floor while your bus stages at a remote lot near the East Falls Church Metro station.

Address: 627 N Glebe Rd, Arlington, VA 22203

Charter Bus Parking: There is no onsite bus parking at Ballston Quarter. Buses must drop off on Glebe Road and stage at the nearby commercial zones in Westover or near the Pentagon City mall area until the event concludes.

Long Bridge Park and the Aquatic & Fitness Center

For fans of outdoor field sports and competitive swimming, Long Bridge Park is Arlington's premier destination. With over 30 acres of parkland and a state-of-the-art aquatic center, it frequently hosts regional swim meets and soccer tournaments. The park offers stunning views of the Roaches Run Water Garden and the D.C. skyline, making it a scenic spot for a team victory meal.

Getting a team of 50 swimmers to the blocks on time requires precision. Traffic along Richmond Highway (Route 1) can become gridlocked during weekday meets or Saturday morning soccer surges. By renting a private motorcoach, your athletes can stay focused and hydrated in a climate-controlled cabin rather than cramped in separate cars. The drivers are familiar with the specific traffic patterns of Crystal City and will ensure you arrive at the designated drop-off circle near the main entrance of the Aquatic Center.

Address: 333 Long Bridge Dr, Arlington, VA 22202

Charter Bus Parking: Long Bridge Park has limited parking. Oversized vehicles are encouraged to use the designated bus lanes for unloading. For long-term staging, drivers often utilize the bus-friendly lots located near the Pentagon or along Army Navy Drive.

Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium

While the Commanders play just across the river, Arlington serves as the primary hub for fans staying in Northern Virginia. Northwest Stadium (formerly FedEx Field) is a massive 67,000-seat venue that demands a logistical plan. For Arlington-based fan clubs, the 15-mile trek can take upwards of an hour on game day due to bottlenecks on the Capital Beltway (I-495).

Before or after the game, many Arlington fans gather at the various sports bars in Clarendon or Shirley Highway. However, if your group is heading to the stadium for a full day of tailgating, a 56-passenger motorcoach is the only way to go. You can store your grills, coolers, and tents in the undercarriage bays, keeping the interior clean and comfortable for the ride. We help you bypass the "Orange" and "Green" lot chaos by heading straight to the dedicated bus parking area.

Address: 1600 FedEx Way, Landover, MD 20785

Charter Bus Parking: The stadium requires a specific Bus Parking Permit, located in the Landover Road or Arena Drive lots. Prices vary by season but range from $150 to $250. Our team can help you navigate these requirements during the booking process to ensure your driver has exactly what they need for Gate access.

Audi Field and Nationals Park

Arlington soccer and baseball fans have it easy—provided they aren't the ones driving. Audi Field, home to D.C. United and the Washington Spirit, and Nationals Park are located just across the Francis Scott Key Bridge or the 14th Street Bridge. Both venues sit in the bustling Navy Yard district, where street parking is virtually non-existent and private lots charge exorbitant rates for standard cars.

For a Washington Nationals game, we recommend a "shuttle-loop" approach for large corporate groups. Your driver can drop your party off at the corner of N Street SE and 1st Street SE, right near the Center Field Gate. This avoids the heavy pedestrian traffic on South Capitol Street. For D.C. United matches at Audi Field, buses utilize the commercial drop-off point on 2nd Street SW. After the final whistle, your group won't have to fight for a spot on a crowded Metro train; your private, air-conditioned bus will be waiting at the pre-arranged staging area.

Addresses: Nationals Park: 1500 S Capitol St SE, Washington, DC 20003 Audi Field: 100 Potomac Ave SW, Washington, DC 20024

Charter Bus Parking: Bus parking for Nationals Park is managed through the Union Station bus terminal or designated spots along P Street SW. For Audi Field, buses often stage at the Buzzard Point area or return to Arlington lots during the match.

Capital One Arena

If you’re a Capitals or Wizards fan, you know that the atmosphere at Capital One Arena is electric. Located in Chinatown, this venue is surrounded by narrow one-way streets and heavy foot traffic. Navigating a 45-foot coach through these streets requires a reliable. Avoid the stress of the 14th Street Bridge traffic and the frustration of "Full" signs at every parking garage.

Your drivers utilize the commercial curbside zones near 6th and G Street for quick unloading. This puts your group within a block of the entrance, allowing you to bypass the main congestion at the Gallery Place-Chinatown Metro station. Whether it's a playoff hockey game or a high-stakes NBA matchup, we ensure your group arrives together and leaves comfortably.

Address: 601 F St NW, Washington, DC 20004

Charter Bus Parking: Capital One Arena does not have onsite bus parking. Buses must stage at the RFK Stadium parking lots or the Union Station Bus Deck. Your driver will stay in constant contact with your group leader via cell phone to coordinate a precise pick-up time at the end of the fourth quarter or overtime.

Rally for Your Favorite Arlington Sporting Event

Whether you’re a fan group going to cheer on the Caps at practice or a youth soccer team heading to a regional tournament at Long Bridge Park, your travels will be much easier with a bus rental! Let Charter Bus Arlington connect your fans to a clean and modern motorcoach, and rest easy knowing everyone will arrive right on time and all together, no matter what. We understand the specific gate requirements, height restrictions, and traffic patterns that only a local operator knows.

Give us a call at 227-263-8000 whenever you’re ready to learn more about charter bus rentals in Arlington, and we’ll offer you a free and personalized quote with no obligation to book!

Frequently Asked Questions About Arlington Sports Transportation

Where do charter buses drop off at Northwest Stadium for Commanders games?

Our charter buses utilize the designated commercial drop-off zones off Landover Road (Maryland Route 202). Unlike rideshares that are funneled into the general traffic flow on Brightseat Road, we use the bus-only lanes to ensure your group gets to the tailgate lots as quickly as possible. We recommend arriving at least three hours before kickoff to avoid the heaviest congestion near the Prince George’s County border.

Can a charter bus park at the MedStar Capitals Iceplex?

No, the parking garage at Ballston Quarter has a low clearance that prevents motorcoaches and even most executive sprinters from entering. For Capitals practices, the drivers drop off passengers at the commercial curb on N. Glebe Road. The bus then stages at a remote lot, such as the one near the East Falls Church Metro, and returns for pick-up via a coordinated text message from your group leader.

How do we handle parking for a Washington Nationals game?

Nationals Park does not offer onsite oversized vehicle parking in the immediate vicinity of the stadium. We drop groups off at the designated zone on 1st Street SE. The drivers then move the vehicle to the Union Station Bus Deck or a specialized commercial lot in the Navy Yard district. This ensures you aren't paying for multiple expensive spots in private lots that can't accommodate a bus's turning radius.

What is the best route for a bus from Arlington to Capital One Arena?

To avoid the frequent height restrictions and narrow lanes of the Theodore Roosevelt Bridge, the drivers often prefer taking the 14th Street Bridge (I-395) or the Francis Scott Key Bridge depending on your starting point in Arlington. We specifically avoid the Rock Creek Parkway and portions of the GW Parkway where low-hanging trees and stone overpasses present hazards for full-sized 13-foot-high motorcoaches.

Is there bus parking available at the Arlington Aquatic Center?

Long Bridge Park has a dedicated loading zone for buses, but long-term parking is extremely limited. For large swim meets, we provide a shuttle service where the bus drops the team off at the front circle and then stages at the nearby commercial parking areas along Army Navy Drive or the Pentagon City overflow lots. This prevents the park’s smaller lot from becoming gridlocked, ensuring a smooth exit for your athletes after the meet.