Stadium

RFK has been the home arena for pro sports, college athletics, and high school games. It has been one of Washington 's best sports venues since it opened in 1961. Originally the stadium housed the National Football League's Washington Redskins and Major League Baseball's Washington Senators. With the seating capacity of 56,000, the stadium has hosted many World Cup qualifiers, international friendlies, World Cup Finals games in 1994, rock bands and performers, Women's World Cup matches in 2003 and Olympic matches in 1996. Baseball and football were always the major attractions and ensured crowd puller events at RFK for many years, but both teams ultimately found new homes. However, the stadium continued to be used regularly and quickly became known as one of the best soccer venues in the country. Originally called D.C. Stadium, the stadium is located in 2400 East Capitol Street Southeast Washington , D.C. in 1969; the stadium was named after Robert Kennedy.

After more than 33 years without a baseball team, Washington , D.C. was awarded a franchise in 2005 for the first time since 1971. With the acquisition of the new team, the Washington Nationals, RFK Stadium also became the landlord of the Nationals. The Washington Nationals played their first game at RFK Stadium on April 15, 2005 against the Arizona Diamondbacks. The Nationals are scheduled to play at RFK Stadium until 2007, as DC has announced to build a new to house the team. The stadium also houses the D.C. United of Major League Soccer. RFK's versatile seating capacity, the acoustics, the food service, and the courteous staff are enough to make any outdoor event a spectacular success. The field at the Stadium can be configured for three of the nation's most popular spectator sports - football, baseball, and soccer. Other events such as concerts and rugby can be accommodated as well. The playing surface at RFK Stadium has beautiful natural grass and is one of the one of the toughest places to play in MLS. The 35 fast food stands are strategically located throughout the Stadium that offers a variety of informal fare. Interesting variety of menu and beverage selections is sure to suit any and every taste. The stadium has 7 entrances and five levels of seating.

With the acquisition of a baseball team after such a long hiatus, RFK Stadium underwent roughly $18.5 million in renovations. New dugouts were constructed, clubhouses were improved, state-of-the-art scoreboard was installed, pressbox were installed, and retractable seats in the lower deck were put up. The large lower deck, consisting of three sections of orange seats, extends from the right field foul pole to behind homeplate and to the left field foul pole. A small section of white seats encloses the field below the upper deck, which gives a very intimate look to the stadium. The main video/scoreboard hangs from the roof above the upper deck seats in right field. Beyond the outfield fence are the bullpens. The Nationals bullpen is located behind the left field wall and the visiting team's bullpen is located behind the right field wall. The large manual scoreboard that was located behind the right field fence is gone was replaced by a large Washington Nationals clock. Parking for more than 10,000 cars and 300 buses is conveniently available.