Photos courtesy of Gregory Koch
Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57
Cardinal Stadium
4900 Bates Rd NE Washington, DC 20011
Year Opened: 1985
Capacity: 3,500
Fear the Catholic Cardinals
Located in Washington, DC, the Catholic University of America is the only pontifical university in the United States. For those who are unaware, a pontifical university is a college established by the Vatican and dedicated to the purpose of religious studies.
The CUA's athletic programs are known as the Cardinals and compete at the Division III level in the Landmark Conference. Catholic's football team plays its home games at Cardinal Stadium, a 3,500-seat field that opened in 1985. Cardinal Stadium was also previously home to Major League Rugby club Old Glory DC for the COVID-shortened 2020 season, but they now play their home games at the Maryland SoccerPlex.
Food & Beverage 3
Concessions are sold out of a food cart to the right of the bleachers (as you are sitting in the stands) and are, except for some snacks, provided by Chick-fil-A. Meal options include the regular chicken sandwich, the spicy chicken sandwich, and the chicken wrap. For added value, you can get a combo with chips and a bottled drink. Assorted candy and other snacks are also available. Prices are reasonable - snacks and drinks cost $2-$3 by themselves, and the price for a sandwich or combo is about what you would pay at an actual Chick-fil-A.
Atmosphere 3
There is one large set of metal bleachers at Cardinal Stadium, which is separated from the field by a track, meaning you are set back a good distance from the field. A scoreboard behind the left end zone shows other basic information as well, such as the down and distance.
As for the gameday atmosphere, they do go beyond the basics here, which is not something you see at every Division III school. A costume named Red, who is a cardinal of the avian rather than religious variety, roams the stands interacting with fans. A small pep band plays on the field at halftime but is otherwise mostly inactive. There is also a cheerleading squad that is not afraid to make themselves heard.
Overall, the experience here is nothing too fancy but has just about everything you'd expect a college football game to have.
Neighborhood 4
Catholic University is located in the Brookland neighborhood of Washington, D.C. This neighborhood is sometimes called "Little Rome" due to the large number of Catholic institutions. In addition to CUA, there are several other Catholic high schools, colleges, and other institutions, as well as the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.
There are certainly other places to go in Brookland as well. Busboys and Poets is a popular bookstore, coffee shop, and restaurant located across Michigan Avenue from the south side of campus. The Brookland Pint is a popular bar serving beer and burgers. The Brookland Grill on 12th Street is a more affordable option.
Fans 4
While the Catholic University football team may not draw the largest crowds, the bleachers here will be mostly full for a typical game. They can get quite loud at times after touchdowns or other big plays. However, by and large, they are polite fans - there is no booing the refs or the players here if they perceive they are not doing well.
The crowd runs the gamut from longtime fans and alumni to families with small children checking out a college football game for what may be the first time. While many of the fans have some connection to the program or the school, others just happen to live in the Brookland neighborhood and make the short trip over here to check out a game.
Access 4
There are many options for arriving at Cardinal Stadium. If you plan on tailgating before the game, you will need to purchase a space in the tailgate lot (or tailgate with someone who does.) The tailgating space costs $50 but also includes up to four tickets to the game for people in the car that is driving into the lot. This ticket must be purchased in advance through the HomeTown ticketing app.
If not tailgating, several free parking options are available, a rarity in this city. The closest lot is at the DuFour Center, which is very convenient as this is where you will enter the stadium. If that fills up, you can park at the University Garage at 3598 John McCormack Road and walk across campus to the stadium.
If entering the tailgate lot, you will do so off Hawaii Avenue - staff will direct you behind the scoreboard to a space. From there, it is pretty easy to walk into the stadium. If not tailgating, you will walk through the main doors of the DuFour Center, where there will be a table for you to scan your ticket.
It is best to purchase the ticket in advance via the HomeTown app, but if you are not tailgating, you can purchase tickets the day of the game by scanning a QR code at the entrance. There is no option to pay with cash or a card at the gate. Once you scan your ticket, take the stairs or elevator to the second floor and follow the signs out the door for the athletic fields.
If wanting to use public transit, you can also take Metro's Red or Green Line to Fort Totten or the Red Line to Brookland-CUA. Both are about a 15 to 20-minute walk from Cardinal Stadium.
Restrooms are available in the lobby of the DuFour Center and are generally a sufficient size for the crowds. However, they are a bit of a walk from the bleachers, so plan accordingly.
Return on Investment 4
Admission to Catholic University football games is $12 for a standard ticket purchased in advance via the HomeTown ticketing app. Seniors and military personnel get in for $8, and children under 12 for $6. The tailgating lot is $50 but also includes four tickets to the game, so the value is not bad if that is your thing.
If you have four adults in your car, you are essentially paying $2 for a spot in the tailgating lot on top of the price of your tickets. If you have two adults and two kids, it's essentially $14. You can do the math for other combinations, but it isn't as expensive as it seems. If not tailgating, parking is free, tickets are still reasonable, and concessions are reasonably priced as well.
Overall, a Catholic University football game can be a good value.
Extras 2
One extra star for the merch tent set up behind the end zone.
Look for the trophy case and Catholic University Athletics Hall of Fame in the DuFour Center. You will walk by many displays on your way through the building to get to the game.
Final Thoughts
A Catholic University Cardinals football game is everything you'd expect a college football game to be. This is the Division III level, so set your expectations appropriately, but a game at Cardinal Stadium can be an enjoyable way to spend a Saturday afternoon in the fall watching football.
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