DC Sports Weekend

Some Buckeyes taking in a Nationals game

While Washington, DC is often thought of for its politics, food, and performing arts cultures, a little less known major culture in the nation's capital is its sports culture. Home to professional sports teams in all the major sports leagues, Washington, DC is a great place to catch a game and cheer on the home teams! A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to check out the DC sports culture by attending a Washington Nationals baseball game and a DC United soccer game in the same weekend.

Friday night was spent cheering on the Nationals in Southeast DC. Nationals Park is a great venue to watch a game, especially because the ballpark only opened 5 years ago. One of the best parts of the stadium is the number of unique food concessions available at the ballgame, including DC's famous Ben's Chili Bowl. Famous for their chili specialties, enjoying a world famous half-smoke "all the way" at the Nationals definitely completed the game experience. Passionate fans, a great ballpark, and terrific food made attending a Nationals game one to remember. Plus, what could be more American than taking in a baseball game in our nation's capital?

The next evening, I headed to RFK Stadium to continue my DC sports weekend. Having grown up playing soccer, the idea of attending a DC United game was on my to-do list while spending the semester here in Washington, DC. Playing their rival the New York Red Bulls, the DC United match was the best game I could have possibly seen. Sitting at midfield in the supporters fan section, I had never experienced a soccer game like this before. Standing, shouting, and cheering on the home team, the supporters section was home to raucous fans who absolutely live for DC United. I quickly learned many of the cheers and joined in the cacophony hoping to will the home team to victory. Although, DC United lost the match, I thoroughly enjoyed the entire game experience.

View from the supports section at the DC United game

Having experienced only a small part of the DC sports culture, I can attest to passion and fervor of sports fans in the District. If you have the opportunity to attend a DC sporting event in the future, I would highly recommend it. Although, their teams have not always been the most successful, the tide seems to be turning, making it an exciting time to be a sports fan living in Washington, DC.

-TB