Cheer on the Capital Region USA's Sports Teams

Major League Baseball

The Washington Nationals and Baltimore Orioles — the Capital Region’s Major League Baseball teams — both take the field at stadiums in scenic neighbourhoods, where soaking up the sunshine with a beer in one hand and a hot dog in the other is a quintessential American pastime. You can also catch a game from several Minor League Baseball teams throughout the region including Richmond, Virginia’s Flying Squirrels and the Potomac Nationals. Season: April–October

National Football League

The USA's most intense fan bases emerge each fall for America’s version of football. You’ll catch the fever, too, when you experience the hard hits, miraculous diving catches and end-zone celebrations of the Washington Redskins and Baltimore Ravens. Season: September–January 

National Basketball Association

There’s just one place in the Capital Region to see the flamboyant dunks, gravity-defying alley-oops and long-range hoops of the NBA. The Washington Wizards put on their spectacular show at Capital One Arena in DC. Season: October–April 

National Hockey League

The Washington Capitals play home games at the Capital One Arena in downtown DC. In 2018, the Caps reached the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the tenth time in 11 years and for the first time, took home the coveted trophy. The coming season promises more on-ice excitement on the heels of such an amazing year. Season: October–April 

Preakness Stakes

Held each May at Baltimore’s Pimlico Race Course, this thoroughbred horse race is the second leg in the Triple Crown, three sought-after competitions for elite colts and fillies. (The Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes are the others). Don a jaunty hat and be sure to sip a Black-Eyed Susan, the event’s official cocktail, for a day at the races. 

Citi Open Tennis Tournament

This hard-court tournament is held in DC’s Rock Creek Park, a spectacular, 2,000-acre natural sanctuary right in the city. The men’s and women’s pro tour stop brings the world’s best players to town each July/August for eight days of world-class tennis. 

NASCAR

Head to Virginia and feed your need for speed with the intense drama of stock-car racing at Richmond International Raceway’s day and night races, Martinsville Speedway’s paper-clip-shaped raceway in the mountains of Ridgeway and the massive Bristol Motor Speedway.

Major League Soccer

Let DC United — the most decorated club in American football (or “soccer,” locally) — show you what the US version of the sport is all about. During the 2018 season, the team moved to a new home: Audi Field at Buzzard Point, and star English forward Wayne Rooney joined the roster. Season: March–October

East Coast Surfing Championships

Pro surfing’s second-oldest, continuously run competition has made its home on the big waves of Virginia Beach for more than 50 years. Each August, lovers of sun and sand celebrate the surf by riding the waves, paddleboarding, playing beach volleyball, attending concerts and much more.