Where is rfk stadium

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Last updated: April 17, 2026

Quick Answer: RFK Stadium is located at 2400 East Capitol Street SE, Washington, D.C. 20003. It opened in 1961 as District of Columbia Stadium and was renamed in 1969 following the assassination of Robert F. Kennedy.

Key Facts

RFK Stadium opened on October 7, 1961, as District of Columbia Stadium
It was renamed Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium in January 1969
The stadium has a former seating capacity of 45,596 for football and up to 56,000 for soccer
It served as home to NFL’s Washington Redskins from 1961 to 1996
Major League Soccer’s D.C. United played there from 1996 until 2017

Overview

RFK Stadium, officially known as Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium, is located in the Capitol Hill neighborhood of Washington, D.C., at 2400 East Capitol Street SE. Opened in 1961, it was the first major multi-purpose sports venue built by a U.S. government entity and served as a cornerstone of professional sports in the nation’s capital for over five decades.

Named in honor of Senator and presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy following his 1968 assassination, the stadium has hosted a wide range of events, from NFL games to international soccer matches and major concerts. Though no longer in active use for professional sports, it remains a historically significant site in D.C.’s urban and cultural landscape.

Location: Situated just east of the U.S. Capitol, RFK Stadium occupies a 43-acre site near the Anacostia River, making it easily accessible from I-295 and the Capitol South Metro station.
Opening Date: The stadium officially opened on October 7, 1961, with a college football game between Maryland and North Carolina, drawing over 36,000 fans.
Name Change: Originally named District of Columbia Stadium, it was renamed Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium in January 1969 by an act of Congress.
Capacity: Its seating capacity was 45,596 for NFL games, expandable to over 56,000 for soccer and concerts, making it one of the largest stadiums on the East Coast during its prime.
Ownership: The stadium is owned by the District of Columbia government and managed by Events DC, the city’s official convention and sports authority.

How It Works

RFK Stadium was designed as a multi-purpose venue capable of hosting football, baseball, soccer, and large-scale public events. Its circular design and modular seating allowed for flexible field configurations and efficient event transitions.

Design:Designed by architect Jack D. Ostrow and engineered by Charles H. Perry, the stadium featured a concrete oval structure with cantilevered upper decks to minimize obstructed views.
Field Dimensions: The football field measured 100 yards long by 53.3 yards wide, while the soccer pitch was adjusted to 70x110 yards for international matches.
Lighting: Equipped with 12 light towers producing over 80 foot-candles of illumination, the stadium supported night games and televised broadcasts.
Public Transit Access: Located within 0.5 miles of the Capitol South Metro station on the Blue, Orange, and Silver lines, it was designed to reduce traffic congestion.
Renovations: Major upgrades occurred in 1973, 1988, and 1996, including new seating, luxury boxes, and expanded concourses to meet modern safety standards.
Demolition Status: As of 2023, the stadium is inactive, with plans to demolish and redevelop the site into a mixed-use campus for youth sports and community programs.

Comparison at a Glance

RFK Stadium compared to other major U.S. stadiums built in the mid-20th century:

Stadium	Location	Opened	Capacity	Primary Teams
RFK Stadium	Washington, D.C.	1961	45,596	Washington Redskins, D.C. United
Shea Stadium	New York, NY	1964	55,601	New York Mets, Jets
Three Rivers Stadium	Pittsburgh, PA	1970	59,484	Steelers, Pirates
Busch Memorial Stadium	St. Louis, MO	1966	50,200	Cardinals, Browns
Exhibition Stadium	Toronto, ON	1959	43,731	Blue Jays, Argonauts

While RFK Stadium had a smaller capacity than many of its contemporaries, its central location in the nation’s capital gave it unique cultural and political significance. Unlike other stadiums of its era that were replaced by modern single-sport venues, RFK remained in use longer due to limited city investment in a new facility. Its closure marks the end of an era for multi-purpose urban stadiums built during the 1960s and 1970s.

Why It Matters

RFK Stadium played a pivotal role in shaping professional sports in Washington, D.C., and served as a venue for historic moments in American culture and politics. Its legacy extends beyond athletics, symbolizing civic pride and urban development challenges.

Sports Legacy: Home to the Washington Redskins for 36 seasons, RFK hosted five NFL Championship games and witnessed the rise of legends like Joe Theismann and Art Monk.
Soccer History: D.C. United won four MLS Cups between 1996 and 2004 at RFK, establishing the nation’s first major soccer dynasty.
Concerts and Events: The Rolling Stones, Michael Jackson, and U2 performed there, drawing crowds of over 60,000 at peak capacity.
Political Events: RFK hosted rallies for presidential campaigns and was a staging area during the 1968 National Guard deployment after Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination.
Urban Redevelopment: The planned redevelopment aims to convert the site into a youth sports complex, addressing long-standing community needs for recreational space.
Historical Recognition: Listed on the D.C. Inventory of Historic Places in 2022, ensuring preservation efforts during demolition and rebuilding.

As Washington, D.C. moves forward with reimagining the RFK site, the stadium’s history continues to influence conversations about public space, equity, and urban renewal in the nation’s capital.