D.C. Armory

The D.C. Armory is an armory and a 10,000-seat multi-purpose arena located in Washington, D.C. managed by the Washington Convention and Sports Authority. The Armory was constructed and opened in 1941, as the headquarters, armory, and training facility for the District of Columbia National Guard. In recent years it has also become a venue for a broad range of events.Construction on the armory began on June 2, 1940, and it opened on July 13, 1941. The structure was designed by the city's Municipal Architect, Nathan C. Wyeth. The D.C. Armory replaced the National Armory, a 1910 structure which was designed by New York City architect Electus D. Litchfield.The Armory's Drill Field is approximately and has hosted trade shows, concerts, warehouse sales, the Washington Auto Show, sporting events, and Presidential inauguration balls.The Washington Diplomats played indoor soccer at the armory in 1978. It was the site of WCW Capital Combat in 1990, served as a preliminary tryout venue for American Idol, a performance by Marilyn Manson, and hosted the Longest Yard Football Classic, a charity game pitting Members of Congress (aided by former NFL stars) against the Capitol Police. The Armory has been home to the DC Rollergirls, D.C.'s female flat track roller derby league, since February 2008. In 2009, the Armory became home to the D.C. Armor, an American Indoor Football Association team. Popular Dutch trance artist Armin van Buuren played a 6 hour set at the Armory in 2011.