Last Updated: March 10th, 2023 by Jake Cain
The list of ballparks in Washington D.C. may be short, but it packs a punch!
As the home of Major League Baseball’s Washington Nationals, Nationals Park is an obvious destination for fans who want to watch a great game while also taking in views of the Washington Monument and the Capitol Building.
D.C. is also the home of the multi-purpose RFK Stadium, where sports buffs can catch all kinds of games, including MLB All-Star games on two different occasions.
Along with those ballparks, we’ll also pay our respects to Griffith Stadium, which has been torn down but was the historic home of the Negro League Homestead Grays and later NFL’s Washington Redskins.
The nation’s capital is a great place to enjoy America’s favorite pastime, so grab your glove and let’s take a look at three incredible ballparks in Washington, D.C.
Griffith Stadium
Griffith Stadium was a historic sports venue located in Washington, D.C. It was built in 1911 and stood until 1965. The stadium was situated between Georgia Avenue and 5th Street in the left field, and between W Street and Florida Avenue NW. It was a steel and concrete structure that replaced the wooden baseball park called Boundary Field or National Park. The stadium was named after Washington Senators owner Clark Griffith in 1923.
Griffith Stadium was home to the American League Senators from 1911 to 1960 and served as the home of the Washington Redskins of the NFL for 24 seasons, from 1937 to 1960. The stadium hosted several important events, including the All-Star Game in 1937 and 1956, and World Series games in 1924, 1925, and 1933. It was also the home of the Negro league Homestead Grays during the 1940s and hosted the 1943 and 1944 Negro World Series. After its demolition in 1965, the site was occupied by Howard University Hospital.
Nationals Park
Nationals Park is a state-of-the-art baseball stadium located in the Navy Yard neighborhood of Washington, D.C. It is home to the Washington Nationals of Major League Baseball and has been serving as their home field since its completion in 2008. The stadium was designed by HOK Sport and Devrouax & Purnell Architects and Planners and cost a total of $783.9 million to build, with $693 million spent on the stadium itself and $84.2 million spent on transportation, art, and infrastructure upgrades.
With a capacity of 41,339, Nationals Park is a modern and spacious stadium that offers fans a unique and memorable experience. The stadium is also environmentally friendly, as it was the first LEED-certified green major professional sports stadium in the United States. From the upper decks on the first base side of the field, fans can enjoy stunning views of the Washington Monument and the Capitol building. Whether you’re a die-hard baseball fan or just looking for a fun day out, Nationals Park is a must-visit destination in Washington, D.C.
Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium
Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium, commonly known as RFK Stadium, is a multi-purpose stadium located in Washington, D.C. It was opened in 1961 and was owned by the federal government until 1986. The stadium is located about two miles from the U.S. Capitol building and is situated near the west bank of the Anacostia River and next to the D.C. Armory. RFK Stadium was home to a National Football League (NFL) team, two Major League Baseball (MLB) teams, five professional soccer teams, two college football teams, a bowl game, and a USFL team.
RFK Stadium has a rich history of hosting a variety of sporting events and concerts. It has hosted five NFC Championship games, two MLB All-Star Games, men’s and women’s World Cup matches, nine men’s and women’s first-round soccer games of the 1996 Olympics, three MLS Cup matches, two MLS All-Star games, and numerous American friendlies and World Cup qualifying matches. The stadium has also hosted college football, college soccer, baseball exhibitions, boxing matches, a cycling race, an American Le Mans Series auto race, marathons, and dozens of major concerts and other events.