Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium facts for kids
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RFK Stadium
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RFK Stadium with the U.S. Capitol and Washington Monument visible in the background, 1988
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 RFK Stadium
Location in District of Columbia
RFK Stadium
Location in USA Midwest and Northeast
RFK Stadium
Location in the United States
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| Former names | District of Columbia Stadium (1961–1969) |
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| Address | 2400 East Capitol Street SE |
| Location | Washington, D.C., U.S. |
| Coordinates | 38°53′24″N 76°58′19″W / 38.89000°N 76.97194°W |
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| Owner | District of Columbia |
| Operator | Events DC |
| Capacity | Baseball: 43,500 (1961) 45,016 (1971) 45,596 (2005) Football or soccer: 56,692 (1961) 45,596 (2005–2019) 20,000 (2012–2017, MLS) |
| Field size | Football: 120 yd × 53.333 yd (110 m × 49 m) Soccer: 110 yd × 72 yd (101 m × 66 m) Baseball: Left field: 335 ft (102 m) Left-center: 380 ft (116 m) Center field: 410 ft (125 m) Right-center: 380 ft (116 m) Right field: 335 ft (102 m) Backstop: 54 ft (16 m)  |
| Surface | TifGrand bermuda grass |
| Construction | |
| Broke ground | July 8, 1960 |
| Opened | October 1, 1961 |
| Closed | September 15, 2019 |
| Demolished | 2023–present |
| Construction cost | $24 million ($235 million in 2022 dollars ) |
| Architect | George Leighton Dahl, Architects and Engineers, Inc. |
| Structural engineer | Osborn Engineering Company |
| Services engineer | Ewin Engineering Associates |
| General contractor | McCloskey and Co. |
| Tenants | |
| Washington Redskins (NFL) 1961–1996 George Washington Colonials (NCAA) 1961–1966 Washington Senators (MLB) 1962–1971 Washington Whips (USA / NASL) 1967–1968 Howard Bison (NCAA) 1974–1976 Washington Diplomats (NASL) 1974, 1977–1981 Team America (NASL) 1983 Washington Federals (USFL) 1983–1984 Washington Diplomats (ASL/APSL) 1988–1990 D.C. United (MLS) 1996–2017 Washington Freedom (WUSA) 2001–2003 Washington Nationals (MLB) 2005–2007 Military Bowl (NCAA) 2008–2012 |
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Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium, often called RFK Stadium, was a famous sports venue in Washington, D.C.. It opened in 1961 and was one of the first stadiums designed for both baseball and American football. It was known for its unique circular "cookie-cutter" shape.
RFK Stadium was home to many professional sports teams over the years. It hosted teams from the National Football League (NFL), Major League Baseball (MLB), and several professional soccer leagues. It also held major events like FIFA World Cup matches, Olympic soccer games, and many concerts.
The stadium was owned by the District of Columbia government. In September 2019, officials decided to tear it down because of high maintenance costs. Demolition of the area around the stadium began in 2023. A new stadium for the Washington Commanders is planned for the site, with construction expected to start in 2026 and open in 2030.
Contents
History of RFK Stadium
How the Stadium Was Planned
The idea for a stadium in this spot started way back in the 1930s. People wanted a big stadium in Washington, D.C., that could host major events like the Olympic Games. Over the years, different groups worked on plans for a "National Stadium."
In 1958, a law was passed to build a 50,000-seat stadium for the city's baseball and football teams. Construction began in 1960 and took about 14 months. The stadium cost $24 million to build.
Opening Day at D.C. Stadium
The stadium first opened in the fall of 1961 as District of Columbia Stadium, or D.C. Stadium for short. Its very first event was an NFL football game on October 1, 1961. The Washington Redskins played against the New York Giants. President John F. Kennedy was there to watch.
The first baseball game was played on April 9, 1962. President Kennedy threw out the first pitch for the Washington Senators game against the Detroit Tigers. The Senators won 4-1.
Early Years and Important Changes
In the early 1960s, the Redskins team owner did not want to have black players on his team. However, President Kennedy insisted that the team must include black players if they wanted to play in the stadium, which was on federal land. The owner eventually agreed, and the team became integrated.
In January 1969, the stadium was renamed Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium. This was to honor Robert F. Kennedy, a U.S. Senator and presidential candidate who had passed away the year before. His brother, President John F. Kennedy, had attended the stadium's first event.
Teams Come and Go
The Senators baseball team played their last game at RFK in 1971. After that, the stadium was mostly known as the home of the Washington Redskins football team. The Redskins won three Super Bowl championships while playing at RFK.
In 1996, Major League Soccer (MLS) started, and D.C. United became a new team at RFK. Later that year, the Redskins moved to a new stadium in Maryland.
Baseball returned to RFK temporarily in 2005 when the Washington Nationals played there for three seasons. They used RFK while their new stadium, Nationals Park, was being built. The Nationals moved to their new home in 2008.
D.C. United was the last major team to play at RFK. They moved to their new stadium, Audi Field, in 2018.
Demolition and Future Plans
On September 5, 2019, officials announced plans to tear down RFK Stadium. The demolition of the surrounding area began in 2023 and is still happening.
In January 2025, a long-term lease was signed, giving control of the stadium site to the District of Columbia. In April 2025, plans were announced for a new 65,000-seat stadium for the Washington Commanders (formerly the Redskins) to be built on the site. This new stadium is expected to open in 2030.
Stadium Design
RFK Stadium had a circular design, which was new for its time. It was one of the first stadiums to use the "cookie-cutter" concept, meaning it could be used for both football and baseball.
The stadium had some special features:
- It offered wide seats and air-conditioned locker rooms.
- A machine-operated cover could protect the field from rain.
- Ramps allowed fans to leave the stadium quickly.
- The upper deck was built without columns, so no seats had blocked views.
- The stadium's roof was curved and dipped, giving it a unique "butterfly" look.
Converting the stadium from a baseball field to a football field (or vice versa) was a complex process. It involved moving sections of seats and laying down new grass. This conversion happened many times each year when different sports teams shared the stadium.
When configured for football, the stadium was known for being very loud. Fans could stomp their feet, making the upper deck shake, which added to the exciting atmosphere.
Sports Events at RFK
RFK Stadium hosted many different sports over its history.
Baseball Games
Two MLB teams called RFK home: the Senators (1962–1971) and the Washington Nationals (2005–2007).
- April 9, 1962: The first baseball game was played. President John F. Kennedy threw out the first pitch.
- July 10, 1962: RFK hosted its first All-Star Game.
- September 30, 1971: The Senators played their final game at RFK. Fans stormed the field, and the game was forfeited.
- April 14, 2005: The Washington Nationals played their first regular season game in Washington, D.C., at RFK. President George W. Bush threw out the first pitch.
- September 23, 2007: The Nationals played the last MLB game at RFK before moving to their new stadium.
Football Games
RFK was home to the Washington Redskins for 36 seasons (1961–1996). It also hosted college football teams and bowl games.
- October 1, 1961: The Redskins played their first game at RFK.
- December 31, 1972: The Redskins won the NFC Championship Game at RFK, earning a trip to the Super Bowl.
- January 22, 1983: The Redskins won another NFC Championship Game at RFK, beating the Dallas Cowboys.
- January 12, 1992: The Redskins won their last NFC Championship Game at RFK, leading to a Super Bowl victory.
- December 22, 1996: The Redskins played their final game at RFK, beating the Dallas Cowboys. Fans celebrated by taking pieces of the field and seats as souvenirs.
- December 20, 2008: RFK hosted its first bowl game, the EagleBank Bowl.
Soccer Matches
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RFK Stadium became a major center for soccer in the U.S. It hosted many professional teams and international events.
- May 26, 1967: The first professional soccer game was played at D.C. Stadium.
- June 29, 1975: Soccer superstar Pelé played his first game in D.C. with the New York Cosmos, drawing a huge crowd.
- September 21, 1980: RFK hosted the Soccer Bowl '80, the championship game of the NASL.
- June 28, 1994: RFK hosted its first FIFA World Cup match.
- July 24, 1996: The stadium hosted an Olympic men's soccer match, drawing the largest crowd in RFK history (58,012 spectators).
- October 26, 1997: D.C. United won their second MLS Cup at RFK.
- April 14, 2001: The Washington Freedom played their first game in the Women's United Soccer Association at RFK.
- September 21, 2003: RFK hosted the opening ceremonies and first match of the 2003 FIFA Women's World Cup.
- October 22, 2017: D.C. United played their last match at RFK Stadium.
- June 2, 2019: The last ever soccer game at RFK was a friendly match between El Salvador and Haiti.
Other Sports
RFK Stadium also hosted other sports:
- Boxing: In 1993, famous boxers Riddick Bowe and Roy Jones had championship fights there.
- Motorsports: The stadium parking lot was used for car races, including the American Le Mans Series in 2002 and Global Rallycross Championship races from 2014 to 2016.
- Cycling: The final stage of the 1992 Tour DuPont cycling race finished at RFK.
- Rugby: In 2018, the Wales national rugby union team played against the South Africa national rugby union team at RFK.
Concerts and Events
RFK Stadium was a popular venue for major concerts and other events.
- In August 1966, the Beatles performed at the stadium.
- The Grateful Dead played at RFK 15 times between 1973 and 1995.
- Bruce Springsteen performed there in 1985.
- Pink Floyd had concerts at the stadium in 1988 and 1994.
- The Rolling Stones opened their Voodoo Lounge Tour with two shows in 1994.
- The annual HFStival rock concert was held at RFK for many years.
- In 2015, the Foo Fighters held their 20th-anniversary concert at RFK Stadium.
Other events included large gatherings like the Promise Keepers event, a mass wedding, and a concert for the LGBT Millennium March on Washington. In 2009, a "Day of Service" was held there, where volunteers assembled care packages for military troops.
Washington Hall of Stars
The stadium featured the Washington Hall of Stars, which honored famous D.C. sports figures from various sports. These were displayed on banners around the stadium. Some of the honored individuals included Redskins football players like Sammy Baugh and John Riggins, Senators baseball players like Walter Johnson and Frank Howard, and basketball stars like Wes Unseld and Elvin Hayes.
Getting There
RFK Stadium is located about half a mile from the Stadium-Armory station of the Washington Metro. This station is served by the Blue, Orange, and Silver Lines, making it easy for people to get to the stadium using public transportation.
See also
In Spanish: Estadio Conmemorativo Robert F. Kennedy para niños
