Skip to content

Major Events in the History of RFK Stadium

Dec. 12, 1958. D.C. Armory Board and the Interior Department sign the first lease for the District of Columbia Stadium.

Oct. 1, 1961. D.C. Stadium, designed by George Dahl, Ewin Engineering Associates and Osborn Engineering, opens for its first event, a National Football League game between the Washington Redskins and New York Giants. The Giants win, 24-21, before a crowd of 36,767.

Dec. 17, 1961. Redskins celebrate first win ever at the stadium, a 34-24 victory over the Dallas Cowboys.

April 9, 1962. Debut of Major League Baseball at stadium. President John F. Kennedy throws out the first pitch as the Washington Senators defeat the Detroit Tigers, 4-1, in front of 44,383.

1962. The Congressional Baseball Game, revived after a four-year hiatus, makes its D.C. Stadium debut, with Roll Call as lead sponsor.

Aug. 15, 1966. The Beatles play before 32,164.

Jan. 18, 1969. D.C. Stadium is renamed Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium after the assassinated senator.

Sept. 30, 1971. Final regular-season American League game is played at RFK. The Washington Senators forfeit the game after fans storm the field. After the season, the Senators relocate to Arlington, Texas, and are renamed the Texas Rangers.

April 20, 1996. Major League Soccer debuts at RFK with D.C. United. United loses to Los Angeles Galaxy, 2-1.

Dec. 22, 1996. Redskins play their last game at RFK, beating the Cowboys 37-10, before 65,454, the largest football crowd in stadium history.

April 14, 2001. Women’s United Soccer Association debuts at RFK with Washington Freedom defeating Bay Area Cyber Rays, 1-0, before 34,198.

April 14, 2005. Major League Baseball returns to RFK, with the Washington Nationals debuting against the Arizona Diamondbacks. President George W. Bush throws out the first pitch, and the Nats defeat the ’Backs 5-3 before 45,496.

Sept. 23, 2007. Nationals play their last game at RFK with a 5-3 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies before 40,519.

Dec. 20, 2008. EagleBank Bowl, first college bowl game to be played in Washington. Wake Forest University defeats Navy, 29-19. Later renamed the Military Bowl.

Sept. 10, 2011. Debut of AT&T Nation’s Football Classic, between Howard University and Morehouse College. Howard wins, 30-27.

Source: Events DC and CQ Roll Call

Recent Stories

Joseph Lieberman: A Capitol life in photos

‘Take the money and run’: Obama, Clinton to raise campaign cash for Biden at A-list NYC event

Cole considered early favorite to win House Appropriations gavel

Joseph Lieberman, an iconoclast who frustrated the Democratic Party, dies at 82

Officials: Baltimore bridge price tag could be at least $2 billion

Race to House majority runs through the 10 Toss-ups