Early 20th century – The federal government begins talks to build a stadium that would allow Washington, DC to host the Olympics and other major sporting events
1958 – The District of Columbia Stadium Act provides authorization to have the National Park Service (NPS) obtain the property for a stadium. The same year, an amendment allowed NPS to lease the land to the Armory Board.
1961 – The Armory Board completes construction of the stadium and it opens to the public.
December 17, 1961 – Washington’s football team wins its first game at the new stadium, beating the Dallas Cowboys.
1969 – The site becomes known as Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium in 1969. As Attorney General, Robert F. Kennedy played a key role in helping to open Washington’s football team to Black players.
The stadium served as the home of Washington’s football team and the Washington Senators. Later, it would also be the home of DC’s first professional soccer team, the Washington Whips, as well as DC United, the Washington Diplomats, and the Washington Nationals. The Howard Bison football team played at RFK 42 times.
Christmas Eve 1972 – RFK hosts its first professional football playoff game, a 16–3 DC win over the Green Bay Packers. RFK Stadium would host the NFC Championship Game five times, with DC winning five times.
January 14, 1988 – The stadium is transferred to the District and the District entered into a 50-year ground lease for the land. That lease was set to expire in 2038.
December 22, 1996 – In the last football game played at the stadium, DC routs the Dallas Cowboys 37 to 10.
February 28, 2024 – H.R. 4984 passes in the House of Representatives.
December 24, 2024 – H.R. 4984 passes in the Senate.
January 6, 2025 – H.R. 4984 signed by the President, making the transfer of the land to the District of Columbia official federal law.
Stadium Demolition
In preparation for the construction of a new, state-of-the art stadium, the aging RFK Stadium needed to be removed. Building abatement began in 2023, and in April 2024, the National Park Service approved demolition of the structure. In May 2026, the last vertical steel elements of the stadium were removed. The complete demolition is anticipated for fall 2026.
For regular updates on the construction status, a live video feed of the site, and information about sustainability efforts throughout demolition, visit https://eventsdc.com/venue/rfk-stadium/rfk-demolition-updates.