Audi Field

About Audi Field

Audi Field sits at Buzzard Point in southwest Washington, D.C. — a 20,000-seat soccer-specific stadium where D.C. United play at the confluence of the Anacostia and Potomac rivers, on a site that was a concrete mixing plant before it became the most significant sports venue built in the nation’s capital in decades.

D.C. United moved here in 2018 after 21 seasons at RFK Stadium — the crumbling 56,000-seat bowl where the club won three MLS Cups and built one of the most passionate fan bases in American soccer. Built for approximately $400 million (including infrastructure and land) and designed by Populous, Audi Field replaced the scale of RFK with the intimacy of a purpose-built soccer stadium. The steep seating bowl keeps 20,000 fans close to the pitch, and the noise on match days punches well above the stadium’s capacity.

The Buzzard Point location was a gamble that has paid off. The site — once industrial and neglected — is now the anchor of a rapidly developing waterfront neighbourhood. Nationals Park is half a mile north, The Wharf entertainment district is within walking distance, and the Navy Yard neighbourhood provides the bars and restaurants that fuel the pregame experience. The transformation of Buzzard Point mirrors the broader revival of Washington’s waterfront.

Wayne Rooney’s arrival in 2018 gave Audi Field its first iconic moment: a hat trick on his home debut, capped by a bicycle kick that remains one of the most replayed goals in MLS history. The stadium has since hosted CONCACAF Champions League matches, international friendlies, and national team qualifiers — establishing itself as the premier soccer venue in the capital region.

Getting to Audi Field

Public Transit

Audi Field is accessible via Washington Metro, with Navy Yard–Ballpark station about a 10-minute walk from the stadium.

Metro is the best option for most fans. The walk from Navy Yard station is straightforward and well-marked on match days. Post-match, the station can be crowded — walk to The Wharf or Navy Yard bars to avoid the rush.

Driving + Parking

The stadium address is 100 Potomac Avenue SW, Washington, D.C. 20024. I-395 and South Capitol Street are the primary approaches.

Limited on-site parking is available. Navy Yard garages cost $15–$30. The Yards Garage and Half Street Garage are the closest options. Street metered parking fills early. Metro is strongly recommended — driving in D.C. on match days is an exercise in patience.

Rideshare

Uber and Lyft have designated zones on Potomac Avenue near the stadium’s main entrance. From Dupont Circle or Adams Morgan, expect $10–$15. From Georgetown, $12–$18. Post-match surge is moderate — walk to The Wharf for a drink and wait for prices to settle.

From the Airport

History of Audi Field

Audi Field was built to replace RFK Stadium, the 56,000-seat venue where D.C. United played from 1996 to 2017. RFK was a sacred ground for American soccer — D.C. United won three MLS Cups there — but the stadium was falling apart, and the club needed a modern, soccer-specific home. The $400 million project at Buzzard Point, designed by Populous, transformed an industrial waterfront site into the anchor of a new neighbourhood.

Final Match at RFK (October 22, 2017): D.C. United defeated the New York Red Bulls 2–1 in the final match at RFK Stadium. The emotional farewell closed 21 years of memories — Jaime Moreno’s goals, the Screaming Eagles, and three championship celebrations — at one of the most important venues in American soccer history.

First Match at Audi Field (July 14, 2018): D.C. United defeated the Vancouver Whitecaps 3–1 before a sellout crowd. The stadium’s intimate atmosphere immediately distinguished it from the cavernous RFK. The fan experience was transformed overnight.

Wayne Rooney’s Home Debut (August 12, 2018): Wayne Rooney scored a hat trick on his Audi Field home debut, including a bicycle kick from the edge of the box that became one of the most iconic goals in MLS history. The 3–1 victory over the Portland Timbers announced that Audi Field was a real venue and Rooney was the real deal.

RFK Stadium Demolition (2023–2024): RFK Stadium was demolished to make way for a massive redevelopment of the 190-acre campus. The demolition closed a chapter — from the Senators to the Redskins to D.C. United, RFK was one of the most storied venues in American sports. Audi Field now carries the legacy forward.

From RFK’s farewell to Rooney’s bicycle kick to the revitalisation of Buzzard Point, Audi Field is where D.C. United’s next chapter is being written — a 20,000-seat stadium that proves intimacy and atmosphere can replace scale and history.