Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium stood for more than six decades as Washington, D.C.’s most storied sports venue. Originally opened on October 1, 1961, as District of Columbia Stadium, it was the first purpose-built multipurpose stadium in the United States, designed by architect George Dahl at a cost of $24 million. Renamed in 1969 to honor the assassinated senator and former U.S. attorney general, the circular concrete bowl quickly became a symbol of the city’s sporting identity and an architectural template copied across the country.
At its peak, RFK held 56,454 fans for football, and its upper deck was legendary for physically swaying when crowds stomped in unison. The stadium hosted the NFL’s Washington Redskins, two MLB franchises — the Senators and later the Nationals — and D.C. United of MLS, while also staging 1994 FIFA World Cup matches, nine 1996 Summer Olympics soccer games, and concerts by The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, and Michael Jackson. D.C. United played their final match there in October 2017, after which the stadium sat vacant until demolition commenced in January 2025.
Stats at a Glance
- Teams: Washington Redskins (NFL, 1961–1996), Washington Senators (MLB, 1962–1971), Washington Nationals (MLB, 2005–2007), D.C. United (MLS, 1996–2017)
- Location: Washington, D.C. (2400 East Capitol Street SE)
- Opened: October 1, 1961
- Original Name: District of Columbia Stadium (1961–1969)
- Peak Capacity: 56,454
- Demolished: January 2025 – early 2026
- Construction Cost: $24 million (1961)
A Pioneer of the Multipurpose Stadium Era
RFK Stadium was conceived as a single venue that could serve multiple sports franchises simultaneously — a radical idea in 1961. Its movable seating sections allowed the field to be reconfigured between baseball and football layouts, spawning the ‘cookie-cutter’ stadium era that defined American sports architecture through the 1970s. The Redskins era produced some of the stadium’s most electric memories: Washington captured three Super Bowl titles (XVII, XXII, and XXVI) during their RFK tenure, and sellout crowds routinely rattled the stadium’s upper deck to its structural limits.
Beyond football and baseball, RFK also served as U.S. soccer’s spiritual home. The stadium hosted group-stage matches during the 1994 FIFA World Cup and nine matches at the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games’ soccer tournament. D.C. United won three MLS Cup championships while playing at RFK, cementing the stadium’s unexpected role as a cradle of American soccer.
Final Years and Demolition
After D.C. United relocated to Audi Field in 2018, RFK Stadium entered a long dormancy. A farewell public event was held in September 2019, but the hulking concrete structure sat idle on federal land managed by the National Park Service for years afterward. The path to demolition required an act of Congress to transfer land jurisdiction back to the District of Columbia, which was accomplished in 2024.
Structural demolition began in January 2025, and by early 2026 the main bowl had been brought down. The Washington Commanders — formerly the Redskins — secured approval to build a new 65,000-seat NFL stadium on the same campus, with a targeted opening of 2030. The redevelopment is expected to include parks, mixed-use development, and riverfront access along the Anacostia.
Explore more: Historic Stadiums Hub.
RFK Stadium FAQs
When did RFK Stadium close, and when was it demolished?
D.C. United played the last professional sports game at RFK Stadium in October 2017. The stadium hosted a public farewell event in September 2019 but otherwise sat vacant. Structural demolition began in January 2025 and was largely complete by early 2026.
What teams played at RFK Stadium?
RFK Stadium was home to the Washington Redskins (NFL, 1961–1996), the Washington Senators (MLB, 1962–1971), the Washington Nationals (MLB, 2005–2007), and D.C. United (MLS, 1996–2017), making it one of the most multi-sport venues in American history.
What will be built on the RFK Stadium site?
The Washington Commanders plan to construct a new 65,000-seat NFL stadium on the RFK campus, with a targeted opening of 2030. The broader redevelopment is also expected to include public green space and mixed-use development along the Anacostia River.
Get More from RFK Stadium
log the coasters, stadiums, and venues you’ve experienced, rate RFK Stadium, and see what your friends thought. Get the ThrillZing app.
Photo: Duane Lempke / CC0, via Wikimedia Commons.