Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium, the historic D.C. sports venue that has entertained spectators with its crowd-pleasing sightlines since 1961, is affectionately known as “RFK” around the globe. The home turf for professional, collegiate and high school games during its history, RFK was the first major stadium designed specifically as a multisport facility for both football and baseball and is the current home for Major League Soccer’s D.C. United, the Military Bowl presented by Northrop Grumman and the AT&T Nation’s Football Classic™.

Opened in October 1961 as the District of Columbia Stadium (D.C. Stadium for short), the stadium was renamed in January 1969 for U.S. Senator and presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy, who had been assassinated in Los Angeles the previous June.

The NFL’s Washington Redskins flourished at the stadium for 36 seasons from 1961-1996. RFK also served as the home field for the expansion Washington Senators of the American League from 1962-1971 and hosted two Major League Baseball All-Star Games during their tenure. The National League’s Montreal Expos relocated to the nation’s capital as the Washington Nationals in 2005 and played at RFK through 2007. The Nationals then moved to Nationals Park, which opened in March 2008.

In recent years, soccer has kept the stadium rocking. The stadium’s storied bouncy seats and nostalgic charm add to the authentic soccer atmosphere that fans relish. RFK has served as the home of four-time MLS Cup Champion D.C. United since its inception in 1996 and was the first venue to host the MLS Cup Championship three times. In addition to the MLS Cup, RFK has hosted several memorable soccer matches including World Cup games in 1994, Olympic men’s and women’s soccer in 1996, Women’s World Cup in 2003 and the 2002 and 2004 MLS All-Star games. In June 2011, the stadium hosted the U.S. men’s national soccer team for the 21st time, tying the Los Angeles Coliseum for the most appearances by the soccer squad (13-3-5).

The Washington Freedom, D.C.’s women’s professional soccer team, called RFK Stadium home for its first three seasons (2001-2003). Introducing women’s professional soccer to the District with a bang, the Freedom captured the WUSA league title at the stadium in 2003. The team then played select games at the stadium from 2004-2010.

Music fans have been thrilled by performances under the stars at RFK by artists such as Elton John, the Rolling Stones, Stevie Wonder, U2, the Eagles and the Grateful Dead. The stadium grounds currently host popular festivals each year including ShamrockFest and the DC101 Chili Cook-off featuring regional and national acts.

RFK has also served as a rallying point for various volunteer and benefit projects including “A Day of Service for Our Military,” where over 12,000 volunteers from the District and cities around the country joined Michelle Obama, Jill Biden and dozens of dignitaries on the stadium field to create more than 85,000 care packages for troops serving overseas, and the service project benefiting families of troops serving overseas on the first annual “9/11 National Day of Service and Remembrance.” And the stadium was electric as Michael Jackson headlined the United We Stand: What More Can I Give benefit concert held in tribute to the victims of the September 11, 2001 attacks.

Since 2008, RFK Stadium has hosted the District’s first college bowl game, the Military Bowl presented by Northrop Grumman and benefitting the USO. In 2011, the AT&T Nation’s Football Classic™, an annual football game between two historically black colleges and universities, and the Maloof Money Cup, a world-class skateboard competition, joined the diverse schedule of events at the stadium and the surrounding Festival Grounds. An illustrious roster of legends have passed through the stadium doors, but the evidence shows, the future is bright as ever.

Facts About RFK Stadium

• Opened as the District of Columbia Stadium on October 1, 1961
• Renamed Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium on January 18, 1969
• Seating capacity: 45,423
• Seating capacity (D.C. United – MLS games): 19,647
• Natural grass playing field
• Modern locker rooms and lounge areas
• Club rooms for private and group affairs
• Metro accessible
• Parking for over 10,000 cars
• Open air arena for large-scale civic events