Chesapeake bay professional sports guide
- Shane Hall
- 6 days ago
- 5 min read
The Chesapeake Bay region is more than history, water, and culture — it’s also home to some of the nation’s most passionate sports communities. From roaring NFL crowds in Baltimore to midshipmen marching in Annapolis, from Big Ten rivalries in College Park to NBA and NHL showdowns just down the road in D.C., professional and collegiate sports here are woven into the fabric of life.
Football Powerhouses
Baltimore Ravens (NFL) – Known for the “Ravens Flock,” home games at M&T Bank Stadium create one of the NFL’s most electric atmospheres. Tailgating, purple pride, and rivalries (Steelers, Bengals, Browns) are fall staples.
2025 Baltimore Ravens Home & Away Schedule
Week | Date | Opponent | Location | Time / Notes |
1 | Sep 7 | @ Buffalo Bills | Away – Highmark Stadium | 8:20 p.m. ET (Sunday Night) |
2 | Sep 14 | vs Cleveland Browns | Home – M&T Bank Stadium | 1:00 p.m. ET |
3 | Sep 22 | vs Detroit Lions | Home – M&T Bank Stadium | 8:15 p.m. ET (Monday Night) |
4 | Sep 28 | @ Kansas City Chiefs | Away – Arrowhead Stadium | 4:25 p.m. ET |
5 | Oct 5 | vs Houston Texans | Home – M&T Bank Stadium | 1:00 p.m. ET |
6 | Oct 12 | vs Los Angeles Rams | Home – M&T Bank Stadium | 1:00 p.m. ET |
7 | Bye Week | — | — | — |
8 | Oct 26 | vs Chicago Bears | Home – M&T Bank Stadium | 1:00 p.m. ET |
9 | Oct 30 | @ Miami Dolphins | Away – Hard Rock Stadium | 8:15 p.m. ET |
10 | Nov 9 | @ Minnesota Vikings | Away – U.S. Bank Stadium | 1:00 p.m. ET |
11 | Nov 16 | @ Cleveland Browns | Away – Cleveland | 4:25 p.m. ET |
12 | Nov 23 | vs New York Jets | Home – M&T Bank Stadium | 1:00 p.m. ET |
13 | Nov 27 | vs Cincinnati Bengals (Thursday Night) | Home – M&T Bank Stadium | 8:20 p.m. ET (TNF) |
14 | Dec 7 | vs Pittsburgh Steelers | Home – M&T Bank Stadium | 1:00 p.m. ET |
15 | Dec 14 | @ Cincinnati Bengals | Away – Paycor Stadium | 1:00 p.m. ET |
16 | Dec 21 | vs New England Patriots | Home – M&T Bank Stadium | 1:00 p.m. ET |
17 | Dec 27/28 | @ Green Bay Packers | Away – Lambeau Field | Time TBD |
18 | Jan 3/4 | @ Pittsburgh Steelers | Away – Acrisure Stadium | Time TBD |
Washington Commanders (NFL) – Based in Landover, MD, the Commanders draw fans from across the DMV. Rivalries with the Cowboys and Eagles make for can’t-miss Sundays.
2025 Washington Commanders Schedule
Week | Date | Opponent | Home / Away | Time (ET) |
1 | Sep 7 | vs New York Giants | Home – Northwest Stadium | 1:00 PM |
2 | Sep 11 | @ Green Bay Packers | Away | 8:15 PM (Prime Video) |
3 | Sep 21 | vs Las Vegas Raiders | Home | 1:00 PM |
4 | Sep 28 | @ Atlanta Falcons | Away | 1:00 PM |
5 | Oct 5 | @ Los Angeles Chargers | Away | 4:25 PM |
6 | Oct 13 | vs Chicago Bears | Home | 8:15 PM (Monday Night) |
7 | Oct 19 | @ Dallas Cowboys | Away | 4:25 PM |
8 | Oct 27 | @ Kansas City Chiefs | Away | 8:15 PM |
9 | Nov 2 | vs Seattle Seahawks | Home | 8:20 PM |
10 | Nov 9 | vs Detroit Lions | Home | 4:25 PM |
11 | Nov 16 | @ Miami Dolphins | Away | 9:30 AM (in Madrid) |
12 | Bye | — | — | — |
13 | Nov 30 | vs Denver Broncos | Home | 8:20 PM |
14 | Dec 7 | @ Minnesota Vikings | Away | 1:00 PM |
15 | Dec 14 | @ New York Giants | Away | 1:00 PM |
16 | TBD | vs Philadelphia Eagles | Home | TBD |
17 | Dec 25 | vs Dallas Cowboys | Home | 1:00 PM |
18 | TBD | @ Philadelphia Eagles | Away | TBD |
Navy Midshipmen Football (NCAA, Annapolis) – College pageantry meets military tradition at Navy–Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. The march-ons, flyovers, and iconic Navy–Air Force clash each October are must-see.
Navy Midshipmen 2025 Football Schedule
Date | Opponent | Location | Time (ET) | Notes |
Aug 30 | VMI | Annapolis, MD | TBD | Season Opener |
Sep 6 | UAB | Annapolis, MD | 3:30 PM | — |
Sep 13 | @ Tulsa | Tulsa, OK | TBD | Conference Game |
Sep 27 | Rice | Annapolis, MD | 3:30 PM | — |
Oct 4 | Air Force | Annapolis, MD | 12:00 PM | Rivalry Game |
Oct 11 | @ Temple | Philadelphia, PA | TBD | — |
Oct 25 | Florida Atlantic | Annapolis, MD | 3:30 PM | Homecoming |
Nov 1 | @ North Texas | Denton, TX | TBD | — |
Nov 8 | @ Notre Dame | South Bend, IN | 7:30 PM | Primetime Game |
Nov 15 | South Florida | Annapolis, MD | 12:00 PM | Senior Day |
Nov 27 (Thu) | @ Memphis | Memphis, TN | 7:30 PM | Thanksgiving Weekend |
Dec 13 | Army (Neutral) | Baltimore, MD (M&T Bank Stadium) | 3:00 PM | Army–Navy Classic |
Maryland Terrapins Football (NCAA, College Park) – Competing in the Big Ten, Maryland football Saturdays draw students, alumni, and fans from across the region.
Maryland Terrapins 2025 Football Schedule
Date | Opponent | Location | Time (ET) | Notes / Conference |
Aug 30 (Sat) | vs Florida Atlantic | College Park, MD | Noon | Non-conference |
Sep 5 (Fri) | vs Northern Illinois | College Park, MD | 7:30 PM | Non-conference |
Sep 13 (Sat) | vs Towson | College Park, MD | Noon | Non-conference |
Sep 20 (Sat) | @ Wisconsin | Madison, WI | Noon | Big Ten |
Oct 4 (Sat) | vs Washington | College Park, MD | 3:30 PM | Big Ten |
Oct 11 (Sat) | vs Nebraska | College Park, MD | TBD | Big Ten |
Oct 18 (Sat) | @ UCLA | Rose Bowl, CA | TBD | Big Ten (cross-div) |
Nov 1 (Sat) | vs Indiana | College Park, MD | TBD | Big Ten |
Nov 8 (Sat) | @ Rutgers | Piscataway, NJ | TBD | Big Ten |
Nov 15 (Sat) | @ Illinois | Champaign, IL | TBD | Big Ten |
Nov 22 (Sat) | vs Michigan | College Park, MD | TBD | Big Ten |
Basketball & Arena Sports
Washington Wizards (NBA) – Just down the road in Washington, D.C., the Wizards draw basketball fans from Maryland and Virginia for regular season and playoff excitement.
Washington Capitals (NHL) – The Caps are known for their dedicated fanbase and Stanley Cup win in 2018. Their home at Capital One Arena is filled with red-clad supporters each fall and winter.
Maryland Terrapins Basketball (NCAA) – Men’s and women’s basketball at UMD are nationally competitive and draw packed crowds at Xfinity Center in College Park.
Baseball Traditions
Baltimore Orioles (MLB) – A staple of Charm City, the O’s play at Oriole Park at Camden Yards — widely considered one of the best ballparks in America. The revival of the young roster has reignited fan passion.
Washington Nationals (MLB) – A short trip into D.C., the Nats bring World Series pedigree (2019 champs) and summer-long excitement at Nationals Park.
Lacrosse: Maryland’s State Sport
PLL (Premier Lacrosse League) – Founded with deep Maryland roots, PLL showcases pro talent with regular stops in Baltimore. NLL (National Lacrosse League) – The Baltimore Bayhawks may be gone, but indoor lacrosse still thrives regionally, and the Chesapeake Bay continues to be the heart of lacrosse culture.
Maryland Terrapins Lacrosse (NCAA) – A powerhouse program with multiple NCAA titles, Maryland lacrosse is nationally recognized.
Navy Midshipmen Lacrosse – Annapolis embraces lacrosse each spring with packed stadiums and military pageantry.
Beyond the Big Four
Soccer: D.C. United (MLS) and Washington Spirit (NWSL) attract fans from Maryland, with Audi Field in D.C. offering world-class soccer experiences.
Tennis & Golf: The Citi Open (tennis, D.C.) and PGA Tour stops at nearby Congressional Country Club and TPC Potomac showcase elite competition.
Specialty Events: Annual marathons (Baltimore Marathon, Bay Bridge Run), regattas, and sailing competitions blur the lines between sport and lifestyle in this region.
Sports as a Way of Life
In the Chesapeake Bay region, professional and collegiate sports aren’t just games — they’re cultural anchors. Whether it’s catching a Ravens night game, experiencing the tradition of a Navy football Saturday, or cheering lacrosse at the Xfinity Center, the Chesapeake offers year-round opportunities to connect, celebrate, and belong. Sports here are as much about community and spirit as they are about competition.
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