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 Virginia's Richmond Flying Squirrels and the Fredericksburg Nationals. Season: April–October

National Football League

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

National Basketball Association

See the flamboyant dunks and gravity-defying alley-oops of DC’s NBA and WNBA teams. The Washington Wizards (NBA) put on their spectacular show at Capital One Arena whilst the Washington Mystics (WNBA) play at Entertainment and Sports Arena. Season: October–April and May–September

National Hockey League

Coming off the prior season in which they won the coveted Stanley Cup for the first time, in 2019 the Washington Capitals reached the playoffs for the eleventh time in 12 years. Attend a riveting home game at downtown DC’s Capital One Arena. Season: October–April

NASCAR

Head to Virginia and feed your need for speed with the intense drama of stock-car racing at Martinsville Speedway’s paper-clip-shaped raceway in the mountains of Ridgeway, the massive Bristol Motor Speedway and Richmond International Raceway whose recent infield redevelopment project added a viewing walkway so fans can get a closer look at all the action.

Major League Soccer & the National Women's Soccer League

Let DC United — the most decorated club in US football (or “soccer,” locally) — and the Washington Spirit professional women's club — whose roster is stacked with players of the 2023 Women's World Cup — show you what the American version of the sport is all about. Wear your red and black (or red and blue) to cheer the teams on. Season: March–October

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. 

Mubadala Citi Open Tennis Tournament

This hard-court tournament is held in DC’s Rock Creek Park, a spectacular, 2,000-acre nature 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. 

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. 

Looking for more Capital Region vacation ideas? Explore the top 10 scenic byways in Virginia, Maryland and Washington DC, and check out some of the many outdoor adventures that await you!