If you grew up in or around Washington D.C. any time in the last fifty years, the mention of RFK Stadium probably triggers a very specific physical memory for you. It is not just about a football game or a loud concert. It is about the feeling of the concrete moving beneath your feet. I remember going there years ago, and when the crowd really got going, that building did not just hold the people; it moved with them. It was terrifying and electrifying all at the same time. Today, the Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium sits like a ghost on the banks of the Anacostia River, waiting for the wrecking ball. But before it is gone forever, we need to talk about why this hunk of concrete matters so much, what is happening to it right now, and what the future holds for this prime piece of real estate.
The Birth of a Multi-Purpose Giant
Let us go back to the beginning. The stadium opened its doors in 1961, which feels like a lifetime ago. Back then, it was simply called D.C. Stadium. It was renamed in 1969 to honor Robert F. Kennedy, the brother of the president and a former Attorney General who was tragically assassinated. When this place was built, it was considered a marvel of modern engineering. You have to understand that in the 1960s and 70s, America fell in love with what we now call “cookie-cutter” stadiums. These were circular concrete bowls designed to host both baseball and football. The idea was to save money and space. Usually, these stadiums were terrible for both sports. The sightlines were bad for baseball, and the seats were too far away for football.
However, RFK was different. It was the first of these multi-purpose stadiums, and somehow, it was the best of them. It had a sleek, undulating roofline that gave it a distinct look, unlike the boring concrete donuts built later in cities like Cincinnati or Philadelphia. The design was tight and intimate. It held about 45,000 to 56,000 people depending on the event and the era, which is actually small by modern NFL standards. But that small size is exactly what made it legendary. Because the roof trapped the sound and the seats were right on top of the field, it created an atmosphere that you simply cannot find in the massive, luxury-filled stadiums they build today.
The Golden Era of Football
For most people, RFK Stadium is synonymous with the Washington Redskins (now the Commanders). The team played there from 1961 until 1996, and those years cover the absolute peak of the franchise. If you talk to any old-school fan, they will get misty-eyed talking about this era. This was the home of the “Hogs,” the famous offensive line, and the place where legends like Darrell Green and John Riggins played. The stadium was a fortress. During the 1980s and early 90s, winning a game at RFK as a visiting team was nearly impossible.
The crowd noise was a physical weapon. I have been to FedEx Field, the team’s current home in Maryland, and I can tell you honestly that it has zero soul compared to RFK. At RFK, the bleachers were made of metal and hung on hinges (more on that later). When the fans stomped their feet, the sound was deafening. It sounded like thunder rolling inside a tin can. It wasn’t just about watching a game; it was about participating in a ritual. The team won three Super Bowls during their residency at RFK, and the stadium was a huge part of that identity. When the team moved to the suburbs in 1997 for a bigger stadium with more luxury suites, something vital died in the connection between the team and the city. They have been trying to get that magic back ever since.
Baseball, Soccer, and the “Bouncing” Stands
While football was king, RFK was a true multi-sport athlete. It hosted two different Major League Baseball teams. First, the Senators played there before they left to become the Texas Rangers. Then, decades later, when baseball finally returned to DC in 2005, the Washington Nationals called RFK home for three seasons while their new park was being built. Watching baseball there was a bit strange because the field shape was odd, but it was amazing to have the sport back in the city.
However, the sport that arguably kept the stadium alive in its later years was soccer. D.C. United, the Major League Soccer (MLS) team, was a dynasty in the late 90s, and they made RFK their fortress. This is where the legend of the “bouncing stands” really became famous globally. The supporters’ groups, like the Barra Brava and the Screaming Eagles, would jump in unison on the sideline bleachers. Because of the way the stadium was engineered to switch between baseball and football configurations, those lower sections were on wheels and movable tracks. They were not bolted into the bedrock.
So, when thousands of people jumped up and down to the beat of drums, the entire structure would physically heave up and down. I am not exaggerating. If you set a cup of soda on the railing, it would tip over. It felt like riding a rollercoaster while standing still. Structural engineers assured everyone it was safe, claiming the flexibility prevented it from snapping, but it sure didn’t feel safe. It felt dangerous and chaotic, which is exactly why the fans loved it. It gave D.C. United one of the best home-field advantages in the history of American soccer.
The Slow Decay and Farewell
All good things must come to an end. D.C. United moved to their own new stadium, Audi Field, in 2018. The Nationals had left long before that. The Commanders were long gone. RFK Stadium was left with no permanent tenant. For the last few years, the stadium has sat empty, slowly rotting away. It became a sad sight for those of us who loved it. Weeds started growing through the cracks in the concrete. The paint peeled, revealing the gray age underneath.
The maintenance costs just to keep the empty building standing were costing the city millions of dollars a year. It was full of asbestos and old pipes that were leaking. It became a liability rather than an asset. Nature started taking it back. There were reports of raccoons and foxes living in the locker rooms where Super Bowl champions once celebrated. It was a melancholy decline for such a proud building. A few years ago, they started auctioning off the seats. Fans bought the orange and yellow plastic chairs for hundreds of dollars, just to have a piece of their childhood in their garage. It shows how deep the emotional connection runs.
The Demolition Process
Currently, the demolition of RFK Stadium is underway. It is not an explosion-style demolition where the whole thing comes down in seconds. Because of the hazardous materials inside, specifically asbestos, the process has to be done carefully and slowly. They are taking it apart piece by piece. If you drive by the site on East Capitol Street today, you can see the excavators chewing away at the sides.
The goal is to have the structure completely leveled. It is a complex job because the stadium sits on National Park Service land, so there are strict federal regulations about how the tear-down happens. They have to ensure that debris doesn’t pollute the nearby Anacostia River. It is a slow death, watching the bowl get smaller and smaller every week. For many locals, driving past the demolition site is a daily reminder that the city is changing. The “District of Champions” is losing its old castle.
The Battle for the Future: What Comes Next?
This is the big question, and it is where things get complicated and political. The land that RFK sits on is incredibly valuable. It is a massive plot of open space with Metro access, right near Capitol Hill and the river. However, the District of Columbia (the city government) does not own the land. The Federal Government owns it, and the National Park Service manages it. The city has just been leasing it.
The lease requires the land to be used for “recreation” or sports. This has created a massive tug-of-war. The current Mayor of DC, Muriel Bowser, desperately wants to bring the NFL team back to the city. The Washington Commanders are looking for a new home because their current stadium in Maryland is falling apart and is hated by fans. The new ownership group of the Commanders would likely love to build a state-of-the-art dome on the RFK site. It would be a poetic return to glory.
However, not everyone wants a football stadium there. Many residents in the surrounding neighborhoods are worried about traffic, noise, and the fact that NFL stadiums sit empty for 350 days a year. They would prefer to see the land used for housing, parks, and indoor recreation centers that the community can use every day. There is a housing crisis in DC, and this land could support thousands of new apartments.
Right now, there is a bill moving through the US Congress that would give the city control over the land for 99 years and allow them to build mixed-use development (housing and retail) along with a potential stadium. Until that bill passes and is signed, nothing can really happen. It is a high-stakes poker game between the city, the federal government, the team owners, and the local residents.
Conclusion
RFK Stadium was more than just a sports venue. It was a gathering place where race, class, and politics were left at the gate, and everyone became part of the same tribe for three hours. It was a place where the building itself joined in the celebration, shaking and bouncing along with the fans. As the last walls come down, we are losing a physical link to the past glory of Washington sports.
Whether the future holds a shiny new NFL stadium or a vibrant new neighborhood park, nothing will ever quite replace the smell of stale beer, the sight of swirling trash in the wind, and the terrifying, wonderful wobble of those upper deck stands. RFK was imperfect, gritty, and loud—just like the city it represented. It will be missed, but the memories of the ground shaking beneath our feet will last forever.
FAQ
Q: Is RFK Stadium completely demolished yet?
A: As of late 2024, the demolition is in its final stages. The structural tear-down has been ongoing, but because of asbestos removal and environmental care, it is a slow process. The site is expected to be fully cleared soon.
Q: Can I still buy seats from RFK Stadium?
A: The official auctions for the seats ended a while ago when the demolition preparation began. However, you can often find seats popping up on secondary markets like eBay, though they are usually quite expensive now as they are collectors’ items.
Q: Will the Washington Commanders move back to the RFK site?
A: It is possible but not guaranteed. The team ownership wants to be in DC, and the Mayor wants them there. However, it depends on Congress passing a bill to transfer control of the land to the city, and then the city and team agreeing on who pays for the stadium.
Q: Why was the stadium called “RFK”?
A: It was originally D.C. Stadium. It was renamed in 1969 to honor Robert F. Kennedy, a U.S. Senator and presidential candidate who was a huge supporter of civil rights and sports, following his assassination in 1968.
Q: Why did the stands at RFK bounce?
A: The lower sections of the stands were built on movable tracks so they could be rearranged for baseball or football. Because they were on wheels and hinges rather than being set in concrete, they had flexibility. When thousands of fans jumped in rhythm, the springs and tires allowed the structure to move up and down.
