Enjoy the Exciting Washington, D.C. Sports Scene

Sports fans can see incredible professional and college-level sporting events when they visit Washington, D.C. Whether you are a die-hard football fan, love watching women’s soccer or can’t wait for college basketball, you’ll be thrilled by the offerings in D.C.

Football

Fans of professional football flock to FedExField in Maryland to watch the Washington Redskins take the field. The team was established in 1937 and have often been a force to be reckoned with as they have competed in the NFC East. Fans can also take a 45-minute drive up to M&T Bank Stadium to see The Baltimore Ravens play.

If you love NCAA Football action, and you don’t mind taking a short drive, you can also see the Maryland Terrapins play at Maryland Stadium. They are part of the Big 10 Conference, and always put on an exciting show.

Basketball

A quick trip into Chinatown brings basketball fans to the Capital One Arena, home court of the Washington Wizards. This NBA franchise began life as the Chicago Packers in 1961, with a home base in Chicago. They moved to the nation’s capital in 1973, much to the joy of professional basketball fans.

The Capital One Arena is also home to the WNBA’s Washington Mystics. Founded in 1998, The Mystics, part of the Eastern Conference, have a reputation for playing exciting women’s basketball, and have often led the league in home attendance – so get your tickets early!

College basketball fans have a number of teams in the area to watch, but there is no doubt that the Georgetown Hoyas have made a name for themselves since their inception in 1907. They are no stranger to the Final Four games and have consistently been competitive in the Big East championships. The Capital One Arena is also considered home court for the Hoyas.

The Maryland Terrapins are also fierce competitors. Their home court is the Xfinity Center in College Park, Maryland. Despite being outside of the District, they have a loyal following that happily makes the short drive for games.

Baseball

America’s pastime is thriving in Washington, D.C. The Washington Nationals were established in 2005 as part of the National League East. Home field is Nationals Park in Southeast D.C. While the team has always been a draw for baseball fans, in recent years it has also gotten attention nationally, as it has won numerous division titles. Whether you are an ardent supporter or just someone who enjoys spending an afternoon at the ballpark, you’ll love going to a Nationals home game. Home games of the Baltimore Orioles at the iconic Camden Yards are also an easy trip from D.C.

Hockey

Home ice for the Washington Capitals is the versatile Capital One Arena. The Capitals play as a member of the NHL’s Eastern Conference (the Metropolitan Division). They were established in 1974 and have won numerous division titles, as well as a conference championship. For hockey fans, a trip to see the Capitals is a terrific, family-friendly adventure.

Soccer

MLS fans have both men and women’s teams to cheer on to victory when they visit Washington, D.C.  D.C. United men’s soccer team has won several MLS Cups since their beginnings in 1996. All the United home action can be found on Audi Field, just a couple of blocks away from Nationals Park. The Washington Spirit is a member of the NWSL. The team is based in Maryland and calls the Maryland SoccerPlex home. While it is a relatively new team, they have found success nearly every year since their inaugural season.

Golf

Given how many deals are done on the golf course, it is no surprise that Washington, D.C. offers some terrific public courses to challenge your swing and accuracy (and if you are willing to drive, there are some notable courses in Maryland and Virginia, as well). There are three that are often mentioned as being the perfect D.C. courses for a meeting during a round or two.

East Potomac Golf Course is one of D.C.'s most popular municipal courses. Visually, it has a strong appeal – it’s a stone’s throw from the Washington Monument and is full of cherry trees (so Spring is particularly stunning). But the courses themselves have gotten noticed. The first two are standard nine-hole options, but the third course, the Blue, is a regulation course given to brisk play.

Rock Creek Golf Course has a reputation for making golfers work for their scores on the four closing holes. In fact, the whole back nine has become known for its challenging elevations and fairways.

Langston Golf Course is on the National Register of Historic Places. Originally opened in 1939, it received a lot of attention for being a nine-hole course that was open to African Americans. Today, the front nine holes are set below the National Arboretum, and the back nine can be found on Kingman Island.

Washington, D.C. is also a fantastic place for outdoor recreation like tennis, horseback riding, hiking, competitive (and leisurely) cycling, and ice skating in winter.

Sports  Venues