As part of their larger complex in Tysons, which includes a hotel and concert hall, Capital One opened a baseball complex on March 31 to host college games and other athletic events.
The stadium, named Capital One Park, seats roughly 300 people and hosts the seven-team Potomac League, made up of players from the area who compete on college teams.
Capital One opened the ballpark as part of its larger Capital One East development, which will include a public park, scheduled to open in 2025. The development is a short walk from the McLean Metro station on the Silver Line.
“Capital One Park brings our community together, and provides a much needed professional-level field to the Northern Virginia area – and beyond,” said Meghan Trossen, Manager of Marketing and Community Affairs for Capital One Center. “Complementing the growing Capital One Center development, Capital One Park adds to the activation of the transforming Capital One East neighborhood, and gives additional sports and entertainment options for Capital One associates and our community.”
The Potomac League hosts two games on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays and three games on Fridays and Saturdays. The league’s seven teams – named the Bunt Cakes, Chili Dogs, Gators, Hot Wings, Red Foxes, Rough Riders and Yard Dogs – are competing for a league championship. The playoffs will take place from July 26 – 29.
“When Covid shut down all the college summer leagues, the organizers of the Potomac League stepped in and found a way for college players to maintain their skills, and a few years later, their partnership with Capital One came to fruition…” Trossen said. “To support their caliber of exceptional baseball talent and their robust schedule of games, Capital One Park was a natural fit to call their home base.”
Along with hosting the Potomac League in June and July, Capital One Park will host all of Marymount University’s home games, beginning in 2024, after hosting nine of them in 2023. By 2024, Capital One hopes to expand their facility to hold more people, allowing for more events.
Last Friday, as the Hot Wings defeated the Rough Riders, 14–10, the Grant and Danny Show on 106.7 The Fan broadcasted from the concourse of the stadium for the first time. Other programs on their radio station had previously mentioned the Capital One complex, which Trossen saw as an opportunity to bring their show to the venue.
“They’ve just been a natural fit for us,” she said.
According to Trossen, programming events have helped bring fans to the stadium. Capital One Park sold out for the Potomac League’s Opening Day on June 19. Gov. Glenn Youngkin threw out the ceremonial first pitch on July 4 in front of a sellout crowd.
The venue also offers plenty of theme days. On July 22, Capital One Park will host their “Hot Rods and Home Runs” event, inviting fans to come out for a car show and three games, starting at 10:00 a.m. A $20 entry fee for car entrants will cover two tickets to all three games and a meal, while all proceeds go towards the Potomac League’s baseball camps for underprivileged baseball players.
July 26 will mark the 75th anniversary of desegregation in the military, which the venue will mark with Military Appreciation Night. They will offer free admission to active and former members of the military for their 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. games.
Most days, Bruno the black bear, the venue’s mascot, is at the games to take pictures with fans.
“When he comes here, everyone has their grandkids lined up to meet him,” Trossen said. “So he’s been an asset.”
Trossen mentioned Capital One Park might expand to non-baseball programming after this season, although they do not have any current plans in the works.
“This is really focused on baseball for now,” she said. “Not to say that, down the road, we might find some fun opportunities, especially [during the offseason]. But I think [our mindset was] a lot of let’s focus on baseball for season one and make sure that we knock it out of the park with a world-class venue, a great partnership, some fun programming and a great mascot.”
Trossen is hopeful the venue can further expand to fulfill the community’s needs.
“It’s brand new and we’re still getting the word out and wanting to have this really be a great entertainment destination and family centric for the community,” Trossen said.
