Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium

RFK Stadium's history spans more than six decades of American sport and public life in Washington, D.C.

Construction and opening

The stadium was designed by architect George Dahl and opened in 1961 as District of Columbia Stadium, at the time one of the most modern facilities in the United States. Initial capacity was approximately 45,000 seats. Its symmetrical circular construction allowed the lower deck to be reconfigured between baseball and football layouts by rotating movable seating sections. The arena was renamed Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium in 1969 in honour of the senator and presidential candidate who was assassinated the previous year.

Key tenants and milestones

The Washington Redskins played at RFK from 1961 and under coaches Vince Lombardi and later George Allen built the stadium into one of the NFL's most feared home venues. The 1982-83 Redskins won Super Bowl XVII, capping a dominant home run. DC United's arrival in 1996 introduced Major League Soccer to the capital; the club went on to win four MLS Cup titles (1996, 1997, 1999, 2004) in front of one of the league's most passionate supporter groups. Baseball's Washington Senators played at the stadium from 1962 until their relocation to Texas in 1971; the expansion Washington Nationals returned in 2005 and played at RFK until Nationals Park opened in 2007. Beyond sport, the stadium hosted Pope John Paul II in 1979 and landmark concerts by artists including The Rolling Stones.

Decline and demolition

After DC United departed in 2017, the stadium fell vacant and deteriorated rapidly. Demolition began in 2025 to clear the site for a new $3.7 billion multi-purpose arena intended to attract an NFL franchise back to the District.

Despite being a functional cookie-cutter stadium, RFK earned a reputation for some of the most intense atmosphere in American sport.

Fan culture

The atmosphere at RFK was legendary, particularly during the Washington Redskins' peak years in the 1980s and early 1990s. The upper decks were built on a suspended structure that caused the stands to visibly shake during crowd surges -- a phenomenon recorded by seismological stations as measurable ground vibration. In NFL configuration the capacity exceeded 56,000, and sellout crowds were the rule for decades. DC United's supporter groups, notably Barra Brava and La Norte, imported Latin American terrace culture -- flags, drums and continuous chanting -- to the U.S. capital, setting a benchmark that influenced supporter culture across MLS.

Big moments

Among the most vivid memories at RFK are the Redskins playoff runs of the 1980s, when post-season games routinely sold out within hours and noise levels inside the bowl were described as physically overwhelming. For MLS supporters, the 1997 MLS Cup final and DC United's European-style home matches stand out as the highpoint of the stadium's soccer legacy. RFK also hosted international football, including a United States friendly against Brazil that drew a full house.

RFK Stadium was demolished in 2025 and is no longer accessible to visitors. However, the site, its history and the teams that played there remain very much a part of Washington, D.C.'s sporting identity.

Getting to the site

The former stadium site is located on East Capitol Street NE in the Hill East neighbourhood. The nearest Metro station is Stadium-Armory (Blue/Orange/Silver lines), approximately 800 m from the grounds. Bus route 96 connects Capitol Hill directly with the area. The Anacostia Riverwalk Trail alongside the river is accessible on foot or by bicycle and offers views back toward Capitol Hill.

Following the teams

• Washington Commanders (NFL): The former Redskins now play at Northwest Stadium (formerly FedExField) in Landover, Maryland.
• DC United (MLS): The club moved in 2018 to its purpose-built Audi Field in southwest Washington, roughly 5 km from the old RFK site.
• Washington Nationals (MLB): The Nationals have played at Nationals Park in the Navy Yard district since 2008.

The new stadium

A new multi-purpose arena is planned for the RFK site at an estimated cost of $3.7 billion, with completion expected after 2030. The project is intended to bring an NFL franchise back to the District of Columbia.