Washington Redskins Announce Training Camp Dates In New Richmond, VA Facility

The Washington Redskins, in partnership with Bon Secours Virginia Health System, the City of Richmond and the Virginia Governor’s Office, announced their 2013 training camp schedule, set to take place at the new world-class Bon Secours Washington Redskins Training Center from July 25 through Aug. 16 in Richmond, Va. The schedule features a total of 17 days of practice sessions that will be open to the public highlighted by Fan Appreciation Day on Saturday, Aug. 3.

***DATES AND TIMES SUBJECT TO CHANGE

PRACTICE SESSIONS CAN BE CANCELED WITHOUT NOTICE***

Thursday, July 25

Friday, July 26

Saturday July 27

Monday, July 29

Tuesday, July 30

Wednesday, July 31

Thursday, Aug. 1

Friday, Aug. 2

Saturday, Aug. 3       (Fan Appreciation Day – Noon)

Monday, Aug. 5

Tuesday, Aug. 6

Saturday, Aug. 10

Monday, Aug. 12

Tuesday, Aug. 13

Wednesday, Aug. 14

Thursday, Aug. 15

Friday, Aug. 16

Prior to their arrival at training camp, Redskins fans are encouraged to fill out their free Training Camp Fan Invitation, which will be available on www.redskins.com/trainingcamp.

The Washington Redskins hosted training camp at Redskins Park for 11 summers (2000, 2003-12). The move to Redskins Park in 2000 marked the first time the franchise opened the complex to visitors in team history. In the 11 years that the Redskins have trained at Redskins Park, the preseason camp has attracted an average of more than 100,000 fans per summer and has annually had Fan Appreciation Day attendance surpass 25,000-plus fans.

Admission is free for all fans at the new Richmond location. Two practice sessions are tentatively scheduled for each day of training camp. Practice times range between one-to-two hours. Following practice, Redskins players and coaches will be made available to sign autographs and take pictures with fans, schedules permitting. Fan interaction has been solid at past camps in Ashburn, VA. but the team wants to take their accessibility up a few more notches. That will definitely excite the traveling fans and Richmond residents who are stoked to now be able to call the Redskins their neighbors for a few weeks each summer.

“Fan interaction is a priority for our team and our new facility is built specifically with our fans in mind. We hope this historic move will set the standard of excellence for training camp experiences in all of professional sports,” Washington Redskins Executive Vice President/General Manager Bruce Allen said. “We are proud that Redskins training camp represents the single largest team sports event to take place within the Commonwealth of Virginia and we are excited to bring this unforgettable fan experience to Richmond.”

More from the press release:

The new $10 million dollar state-of-the-art training center will feature two full-size natural grass fields, a natural grass drill field, spectator areas, locker rooms and a high-tech training room. The Bon Secours Virginia Health System will also ensure the facility serves as a valuable year-round resource for the community when camp is not in session. They will operate the facility as a full service sports medicine rehabilitation and men’s health center on the property throughout the year, in addition to offering men’s health, fitness and education programs. The facility will also be home to movin’ mania, Bon Secours’ healthy kids initiative.

The City of Richmond is developing field utilization plans to ensure the facility will also be available for a variety of sporting events and other activities throughout the year. The fields will be available for youth programming, tournaments and other uses that generate revenue and positive exposure for the City of Richmond when camp is not in session.

“We are honored to be the Official Training Camp Hospital Partner of the Washington Redskins and take great pride in this project; it will have such a significant impact on our city, both economically and from a health perspective,” said Peter Bernard, CEO of Bon Secours Virginia Health System. “In addition to promoting overall health and wellbeing, this new facility and partnership will allow us to further our long-established Healthy Communities initiative, which focuses on bringing health-care services and educational programs to Richmond’s underserved areas.”

Among the other noteworthy components of Bon Secours Washington Redskins Training Center will be a new City park with a multi-tier outdoor amphitheater and walking trails to enhance the benefits for residents, as well as camp attendees.

The City of Richmond will offer a variety of parking options for Redskins fans during training camp. With the exception of City Stadium, which will cost $7 and includes a shuttle, all parking facilities provided by the City will be $5. All fees are flat rates for the day (with no in-out service). Available parking lots provided by the City of Richmond will be announced closer to camp.

“As the official training camp home of the Washington Redskins, we are looking forward to an exciting training camp season at our new state-of-the-art facility,” said Richmond Mayor Dwight C. Jones. “Our optimal location – within a day’s drive of over half the United States’ population – makes Richmond the destination of choice that will be hard to resist for Redskins fans and for NFL fans looking for a training camp experience nearby.”

In addition to the opportunity to watch practice, the Redskins will offer special events, giveaways and other unique fan experience destinations. Fans can also enjoy various interactive tents and purchase their favorite Redskins merchandise at the Redskins Team Store tent. Located behind the Science Museum of Virginia and the Children’s Museum of Richmond, fans can also take advantage of special museum exhibits that will be featured during camp.

“Last year, fans around the state were thrilled with the announcement that not only would the Redskins expand their headquarters and training facility in Ashburn, Va., but that for the first time they will be holding summer training camp in our capital city. The new Bon Secours Washington Redskins Training Center will be great for the community and will make for a world-class training camp facility starting this July,” Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell said. “The Redskins’ commitment to the community has been seen already in Richmond through the successful Play 60 Challenge and other service-oriented events led by players and staff. Data shows the team also supports 1,832 jobs in the Commonwealth, directly and indirectly, generating nearly $200 million in annual economic activity.”

“We welcome football fans visiting Richmond to experience the only urban setting with Class IV rapids, the offerings at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, our award-winning Central Virginia craft breweries, shopping and festivals and more than 900 restaurants,” Gov. McDonnell said. “Richmond and the Redskins are a great match, and we welcome everyone this summer for what will be a great training camp and a great time in Virginia’s capital city.”