Audi Field - Washington Spirit
Photos by Gregory Koch, Stadium Journey
Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.57
Audi Field 100 Potomac Avenue SW Washington, DC 20024
Year Opened: 2018
Capacity: 20,000
Get Rowdy at Audi
The Washington Spirit are a National Women’s Soccer League charter member, beginning play in the inaugural 2013 season. From 2013 to 2017, the Spirit played all their home games at the Maryland Soccerplex in Boyds, Maryland, but as the popularity of women’s soccer in the United States grew, they began to outgrow the 4,000-seat venue.
In 2018 and 2019, the Spirit played most of their games at the Plex but played a handful in downtown Washington, D.C. at Audi Field, also home of MLS team D.C. United. For 2020, the plan was to play four games each at the SoccerPlex, Audi Field, and Segra Field in Leesburg, Virginia, before moving out of the Plex in 2021.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, they were unable to follow through with their plans in 2020 but split their time between Segra Field and Audi Field in 2021 and 2022. Beginning in 2023, the Spirit play all home games at Audi Field.
"Rowdy Audi", as the stadium has come to be known, has been an excellent home for the Spirit, with numerous sellouts and many more near-sellouts. There has been an incredibly growth in attendance for the league as a whole, and for the Spirit in particular as well. In part due to the electric atmosphere the Spirit have created, Audi Field was selected to host the 2022 NWSL Championship and will host again in 2026.
Food & Beverage 5
Audi Field has a wide range of concessions that should satisfy any fan’s palette, many of which celebrity chef Jose Andres provides. In addition to classic options such as burgers and pizza, fans can pick from more unique options such as pupusas and arepas. The stadium's concessions seem more designed for the demographics of soccer fans than football fans, but there is still plenty to enjoy.
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Prices can be quite high, with one meal costing $20-$25 between the meal and a soda or water, or even more if you are planning to drink alcohol at the game.
Atmosphere 5
Other than the Supporters’ Section (more on that later), every seat at Audi Field is a chairback. There are two levels plus suites, although the upper level is sometimes closed for Spirit games when they are not expecting a large crowd. There is a large video board behind the Supporters’ Section, and a much smaller board on the other end.
If entering Audi Field through Gate A, this will put you directly in front of the Spirit Stage, which features pregame performances by everyone from drag queens to high school bands. If you turn left and head onto the concourse, you will find SpiritVille, featuring a kids' play area, face painting, a photo booth, and a merchandise tent. There are also picnic tables with big screen TVs for the adults to hang out at and watch the game while their kids play.
The Spirit has a mascot, an eagle named Penelope Kix (PK for short, although she has been referred to mostly by her full name recently), and does a lot to promote the atmosphere during the game, ranging from on-field contests at halftime to giveaways at the gate. Before each match, the teams walk onto the field flanked by pillars of smoke, setting the stage for what is to come.
As is normally the case in soccer, the real energy here comes from the fans. The Supporters' Section is located behind the north goal, and members of the various Supporters' Groups will stand, bang drums, and cheer for the full 90 minutes. Other fans get into it as well, with chants being heard throughout the game. This makes a Spirit game an electric atmosphere.
Neighborhood 4
Audi Field is located in an up-and-coming part of D.C., near Buzzard Point. There is currently a lot of construction going on around the stadium, so expect it to improve even more in the future. For now, All About Burger is a popular local burger place located a few blocks from the stadium, Bonchon serves up Korean-style fried chicken nearby, and there are other options closer to Nationals Park. If taking the Metro in, you will see many of these places on Half Street on your walk from the Navy Yard-Ballpark station.
Of course, you are in Washington, D.C., so there is plenty to do if you head towards the National Mall, and much of it is free. Just keep in mind if you want to tour the White House or Capitol, you will need to book that in advance.
Fans 5
As noted above, the Washington Spirit has an outstanding fan base. There are four core Supporters' Groups at Spirit games, located behind the north goal. They stand for the entire game, banging drums, waving flags, and starting chants urging their team to victory. The Spirit Squadron was the original Supporters' Group, supporting the team since its inception.
Rose Room Collective was created by and for people of color, while 202 Unique aims to support LGBTQ fans and their allies. Buzzard Point Social is an up-and-coming group that has entered the Supporters' scene in the past few years. Although the groups each have their own members and target audience, they join together to support the Spirit on matchday and are a major part of the experience here.
The other fans help bring the energy too, joining in with the Supporters or even starting their chants. When the Spirit scores, expect the whole crowd to rise to its feet and make Audi Field extremely loud, showing why it is worthy of the nickname "Rowdy Audi". Supporter's culture is a big part of soccer, and it is great to see the Spirit getting the love they deserve.
The Spirit have broken attendance records over the past few years, and routinely draw near-capacity crowds to Audi Field. The team has come a long way from the days of drawing a thousand fans a game to the SoccerPlex in Boyds and it is great to see.
Access 4
When going to Audi Field, your best bet is to use public transit or a rideshare app like Uber or Lyft. If taking the Metro, take the Green Line to Navy Yard-Ballpark and walk about ten minutes to the stadium. If arriving by rideshare, you can usually get dropped off right in front of the stadium unless you arrive very close to gametime, but on the way home, you will have to walk a few blocks to be picked up as the nearby streets are blocked off to allow fans to leave the stadium.
Parking is very limited and can be purchased in advance through SpotHero, but the cheapest spots will cost about $25 and can be located a 15-minute walk from the stadium. To get closer will cost you two to three times that, if not more. There is no dedicated stadium parking lot like there was at Segra or the SoccerPlex. A limited amount of metered street parking is available but arrive early if you want to park close. Getting out of the lots after the game can also be difficult, although police try to direct traffic and make things easier.
Restrooms are located throughout the concourse and are of a more than sufficient size for the crowds. Closed caption boards show PA announcements, but do not show Supporters' chants like at some other soccer stadiums. These are a major part of the soccer experience, and it is disappointing that they are not accessible for all to experience.
The Spirit do have an ASL performer sign the national anthem simultaneously to the vocal or instrumental performance at most games, and show them on the video board so that all fans, not just those sitting on that side of the stadium, can see them. The ASL performer is given equal recognition to the vocal performer when announced beforehand, which the Spirit didn't start doing until a year or so ago, so this is nice to see.
Return on Investment 5
Tickets start at around $23 for seats in high rows in the corners or behind the goals and go up to about $70 for seats near midfield or even more for suites. Just keep in mind if you buy the cheap seats that the Supporters Section is behind the north goal and that area is safe standing only, so you will be standing for the full 90 minutes. You may also have your view obstructed by waving flags at times. However, there are plenty of other seats available for a comparable price if this is not your thing. if you are a fan of the other team, you should aovid buying seats in the Supporters Section, but will be fine sitting anywhere else in the stadium.
Many games have additional discounts available, such as a $38 deal for two tickets, two hot dogs, two bags of chips, and two glasses of water, or a ticket and a beer for $15. Check the promotions page on the Spirit website for more details. For all home games, further discounts are available to college students, tickets, and first responders
Concessions can also get quite expensive, but the food is good. The club seats come with free food and beverages, but you will only be able to get these seats from the team if you buy season tickets. If you want to go this route, it can be a great deal. Otherwise, you will need to buy them at resale prices, which will result in you paying significantly more, particularly with fees.
Given the matchday experience is spectacular, a Spirit game is a great value, although the Ticketmaster fees are frustrating.
Extras 4
Look for the painted sculptures outside the stadium of a cherry blossom and a soccer ball.
The Spirit Stage and SpiritVille are each worthy of an extra star here for being places for fans to hang out before the game.
A fourth and final star for the many places in the stadium selling Spirit merchandise. If you are concerned your favorite option will be sold out, you can buy online in advance and pick up in the stadium on matchday to avoid shipping fees.
Final Thoughts
A Washington Spirit game at Audi Field shows why the stadium has earned the nickname Rowdy Audi. Fans are turning out to watch them in record numbers, and there is an excitement surrounding this team that has never been seen before. Since the Spirit moved into Audi Field full-time, the atmosphere there has been electric. The fan support is phenomenal, the product on and off the field is incredible, and a Washington Spirit game is a great way for the whole family to spend an afternoon or evening.
