WMATA Reroutes Buses for NFL Draft Event
WMATA reroutes P41 and P61 buses Thursday for NFL Draft Party at Northwest Stadium
WMATA Reroutes P41, P61 Buses for NFL Draft Event
Two WMATA bus routes will detour Thursday for an NFL Draft Party at Northwest Stadium, transit officials said. Route P41 eastbound diverts from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., while Route P61 reroutes from 1 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. in both directions on April 23. The changes affect service near Sean Taylor Road, where street closures will restrict access to the stadium area.
Street Closure Triggers Service Changes
The detours stem from a street closure on Sean Taylor Road between Sheriff Road and Ring Road for the NFL Draft Party event, according to the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority. The closure creates access restrictions that require buses to use alternate routes around Northwest Stadium. Route P41 westbound toward Capital Plaza won't require any detour, officials said. The advisory remains effective through April 24, 2026, as event operations continue into the evening hours.
Specific Route Modifications Detailed
Route P41 Landover Road eastbound will follow a modified path during the four-hour evening detour window, transit officials confirmed. Route P61 Glenarden-Suitland faces more extensive changes, with both directions affected for more than 12 hours starting early afternoon. WMATA provided specific detour routes for each affected direction, though the agency didn't release detailed turn-by-turn navigation for the alternate paths. Officials said the detours are designed to maintain service while accommodating the stadium event's street closures.
Limited Duration for Event-Related Changes
The detours take effect Thursday, April 23, 2026, with Route P61's modifications beginning at 1 p.m. and Route P41's eastbound changes starting at 5 p.m., according to WMATA. Route P61 service returns to normal routing at 1:30 a.m. Friday, while P41 eastbound resumes regular operations at 9 p.m. Thursday. The staggered timing reflects different service patterns and the event's expected crowd flow throughout the day and evening.
Riders Advised to Plan for Delays
Passengers should allow additional travel time and avoid the Northwest Stadium area if possible during the detour periods, transit officials said. The route changes may add several minutes to typical trip times, particularly during peak event arrival and departure hours. Riders can sign up for MetroAlerts for real-time service updates during the detours. Moovit provides current routing information and estimated arrival times for WMATA buses affected by the temporary changes.
