RFK Stadium Information

RFK Stadium
2400 East Capitol Street • Washington DC 20003

Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium or RFK Stadium opened in 1961 as D.C. Stadium and was home to the Washington Redskins for 36 seasons. The Redskins moved to FedEx Field in suburban Maryland for the 1997 season. It was also home to the expansion Washington Senators of the American League from 1962-1971. The Senators moved to Arlington, Texas and were renamed the Texas Rangers. RFK is currently the home of the D.C. United of Major League Soccer and the Washington Nationals of Major League Baseball's National League. The stadium also hosts concerts and soccer matches like the 1994 FIFA World Cup and 2003 Women's World Cup.

The Stadium was renamed to RFK for U.S. Senator and presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy in January of 1969. The stadium is the fourth oldest active stadium in Major League Baseball. It is expected to be demolished after both the Washington Nationals and D.C. United move into their new stadiums. The final game in RFK Stadium is scheduled for September 23, 2007 when the Nationals host the Philadelphia Phillies. Ground was broken on May 4, 2006 for Nationals Ballpark which will be located on the Anacostia River and open in 2008.

A memorable baseball moment occurred in a Cracker Jack Old Timers game in 1982 when 75 year old Hall of Famer Luke Appling hit a home run! The stadium had not been reconfigured so it was just 260 feet to the left field foul pole. RFK has been known as a hitter's park. Frank Howard hit a number of tape measure home runs in his career, with a few landing in the upper deck. The seats that Howard hit are painted white, rather than yellow like the rest of the upper deck. He hit his last home run in the park's original tenure on September 30, 1971. Since the reconfiguration for baseball for the 2005 season RFK has been known as the pitchers park. The 2005 Nationals only had one hitter with more than 15 home runs, Jose Guillen with 24 as opposed to Howard's hitting at least 44 home runs for three straight seasons.

During every Nationals game, RFK Stadium hosts a race of former Presidents of the United States. Four people wear caricature heads of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, and Theodore Roosevelt and they race from the right field fence foul territory to behind home plate.

Upcoming Events
Washington Nationals
DC United
Los Angeles Galaxy MLS Cup 2007

RFK Stadium 2007 Specials

April Specials: Nationals "W" Hat, Schedule Magnet
May Specials: Cooler, Baseball Cards, Visor
June Specials: Mesh Red/White/Blue Baseball Cap
July Specials: George Washington Bobblehead
August Specials: Tom Jefferson Bobblehead, Abe Lincoln Bobblehead
September Specials: Teddy Roosevelt Bobblehead, Team Poster, Early Bird Schedule

Weather
Expect mild temperatures in Spring and Fall. Being close to the Chesapeake Bay the the summer months can be hot and humid.

Concessions
RFK is home to the Forescore Grill, The Diamond Club, Burrito Brothers, Dominic's of New York, Stars and Stripes Brew, and Red, Hot, & Blue BBQ.

Parking
There are many parking lots located close to RFK operated by the DC Sports & Entertainment Commission for patrons to use.

RFK Stadium Seating Chart

(Click for Larger view of Venue)

Directions

From Reagan National Airport
Take the George Washington Parkway and follow signs for I-395 to Washington. Stay on I-395N across the Potomac River for approximately three miles. Once you are past the Maine Avenue exit stay in the left lane of the freeway and I-395 will exit to the right to the Capitol and Senate buildings-do not follow I-395N-stay left for the stadium. Go straight ahead in the left lanes to the exit at 6th Street southeast and Navy Yard. At the bottom of the ramp go left at the traffic light onto 6th Street and stay on 6th Street for approximately a half mile to Independence Avenue. Turn right onto Independence Avenue and go approximately one mile or so to 19th Street. Turn left onto 19th Street and go one block to East Capitol Street and turn right onto East Capitol to the stadium.

From Crystal City
Follow Route 1 north to I-395N to Washington and then follow the directions from Reagan National Airport (above).

From Union Station
Go east from Union Station along Massachusetts Avenue and continue past Stanton Square on Massachusetts to Lincoln Park. Go around Lincoln Park to East Capitol Street and turn right onto East Capitol Street and follow East Capitol Street to the stadium.

From I-66 and Constitution Avenue
Follow Constitution Avenue east past the Capitol to Maryland Avenue. Turn left onto Maryland Avenue and go two blocks to Stanton Square. At Stanton Square turn right onto Massachusetts Avenue and then follow the directions from Union Station.

From Maryland/North
Take I-95S to the Baltimore/Washington Parkway south towards Washington. Merge onto 295S and follow the signs for RFK Stadium.

Tips

Prepare for the weather, it could change
Know how to get to and from the stadium
Arrive early
Remember which parking lot you are in
Bring some extra cash
DON’T forget your tickets!

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