What's more fun than watching girls wearing fishnets while knocking each other down? Watching ones doing exactly that on roller-skates! Today was the season opener, with bouts between the DC DemonCats and the Cherry-Blossom Bombshells. Being a complete n00b to the sport (is roller derby considered a sport?) I appreciated the brief intro demo about the differences between jammers, blockers, and pivots, how scoring works, and what's allowed and not allowed. Even armed with that information, I wasn't prepared for how much actually happens on the rink! If not for the solid announcer, I would have had an even more challenging time keeping up with the fast and furious action. Perhaps not quite as rowdy as the Kastles matches, there was still a respectable crowd cheering everyone on - it didn't seem like there were necessarily fans for any particular team, but just general rooting for everyone. If you've never been out to a bout here, you're long overdue! (Plus, after-party at The Argonaut? Seriously, coolest live entertainment ever!) read more

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I love roller derby. I loved roller derby before it became popular again. And due some amazing luck, I have a best friend who has an uncanny nose for ferreting out all the subcultures that I've always loved, but never thought had enough of a fanbase to become a subculture! Who knew that I was cool and a trendsetter all these years? Anyways, shortly after it's inception, my BFF introduced me to the Charm City Roller Girls, and my socks were completely blown off. Amazing ladies, short jams, and the most uber adorable outfits *ever*. I went up to Baltimore a few times for the bouts but a combination of getting lost *way* to easily - even with a GPS, and an overpacked schedule that doesn't allow for hour long drives each way, put a quick kibosh on me being a regular attendee. So when I found out that the DC had their own roller girls team, how could I not attend?! And down at the Armory? So convenient! Now, I love the DC Roller Girls. They are pretty amazing, very friendly, and adorably cute! They are just as vicious, fast, and fantastic as the CCRGs, but I have to ask...what happened to the cute outfits?!? Scare-Force One would be adorable in a punked out stewardess mini-dress. The DemonCats would be so fetching in cute little pinstripe vests and matching hotpants. And the Cherry Blossom Bombshells...well, let's just say that if anyone from the DCRGs are reading this and are interested in new outfits - call me! I'll sew my little fingers off to make fantastic new kickin' (yet, functional) outfits for you! I'm eagerly anticipating the day that roller derby becomes the #1 sport in the nation! read more

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Just who the heck are the "DC Rollergirls?" From their web site fact sheet: "Formed in 2006, the DC Rollergirls are the National Capital Region's only women's flat-track roller derby league. Rollergirls possess a healthy appetite for physical competition and pride in their community. We aim to bring the best roller derby action to our spectators." One of my work colleagues skates on one of the DC Rollergirl teams - the DC DemonCats - her skating name is "Mason-Vixen." All of the Rollergirls have interesting nicknames as well. Mason-Vyxen has been lobbying me and some of my fellow work colleagues to come out and watch them compete. So me and my fellow Systems Engineer Jamie, and his son went down to the DC Armory to catch the fast-paced action. It was a bit of a debacle parking - DC United was playing next door at RFK Stadium - the parking lot was a zoo! I had no idea that Professional Soccer was such a big deal. EVERYONE was tailgating in the parking lot! Grills were everywhere! And beer! And Soccer balls! Did I mention there was beer? We had to walk about a half a mile from the parking lot to the Armory - but it was good for us. We got there a bit late, but just in time to see the DC DemonCats square off against the Cherry Blossom Bombshells. I got a beer, and a soda and fries for Jamie's son and we settled in for the match. The whole thing consists of two 15 minute periods. You'll have to Google to learn the rules and understand the scoring - to long for me to try and describe here. Suffice to say it was fast paced and a bit violent at times. But it was fun and everyone that came out to watch and support them was having a good time! The Washington Post has an interesting article on the DC Rollergirls: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/story/2007/10/05/ST2007100501598.html DC Rollergirls - "With Liberty and Justice to Brawl!" read more

An absolutely fantastic day out. Crowd was made up of ironic hipsters slamming down the PBRs and lots of families with kids enjoying the action. Thing 1 and Thing 2 took a while to warm up to it, but half way through they went over to the Suicide Seats ( right on the edge of the rink on the ground) with Soccerballgirl and enjoyed the up close view. At $12 a ticket, and $6 for under 12, it is great value. No bad seats in the house and announcers and player names which make it all very entertaining and worth while. read more

In my day, we used to pack the coliseum and watch animals fight each other, slaves fight animals, gladiators fight each other or we'd just watch a gladiator fight his own demons, like his crippling fear of commitment. It's hard to find state sanctioned violence these days. I guess NASCAR is the modern version of the Roman circus, but that's lame. I mean, chariots never caught on fire, so NASCAR has that, but I bet they also didn't cover themselves in advertisements for the local fishmonger. I thought rollerderby would finally fill the oblong ring-shaped void left in my life after the Hippodrome of Constantinople went out of business. Sadly, it did not. Rollerderby is a far more strategic game with a depth I could never have imagined. It tends to be slow - more like a game of chess than a tornado of hair, teeth and fingernails. While this gives it more long term appeal for players and real fans, it disappoints those with no concept of empathy or regard for the safety of others. The situation could have potentially been improved via beer, but as other reviewers have stated, the lines are obscene. I can't help but wonder if part of the problem isn't the flat course. When I would watch Rollerderby on The Nashville Network (between episodes of HeeHaw) the track was banked - like NASCAR tracks - so the skaters could round the turns faster. The small, flat playing surface of the armory means the skaters don't have a chance to really get up to speed before they have to start turning again. Thus, their true potential to harm each other is somewhat reduced. I felt rather silly having convinced all my friends to come. I felt like I'd let them down after weeks of promising they'd see a girl in fishnets explode in a shower of viscera. I almost had them bring trash bags, Gallagher-style. read more

I'll preface this review by saying that I'm a widower. My wife plays with the DC Rollergirls. You might think this would bias my review, but in all honesty, you have no idea what I go through. I slave in the kitchen for hours on end while she's out practicing 3,4 sometimes 5 days a week. She comes home bruised and battered and entirely uninterested in my three bean casserole. She talks endlessly about bearings and wheels and how she knocked down Blah Blah Blah, and never asks me about MY day. Why would I support this sport?!? Let me tell you why--its awesome. I was a fan before she joined up, and I'm an even bigger fan now. The campy shtick and full-contact action will draw you in, but the high level of athleticism and strategy involved in the sport will keep you coming back. Knowing how hard these players work to improve their game and bring an entertaining show to DC every month, its no wonder the level of competition has only improved year after year and the crowds keep getting bigger and bigger. The DC Armory has plenty of seating in the stands, but you really have to grab a spot on the floor to feel like you're part of the action. Be sure to hold your beverage close, because you may just find yourself slide tackled by a rollergirl. Beer is plentiful with no lines. Be sure to bring cash, because they don't accept credit cards (my only complaint with the Armory--is it that hard to get an ATM?). Finally, this is a really fun event for kids. The entire thing is very family friendly, if that's you're thing. So in summation, derby stole my wife from me, but I still love derby. You will too, trust me. read more

If you feel you've come home to your people in a crowd of hipsters, if you wish you had the nerve to wear sparkly hot pants with fishnets as an everyday fashion statement, and if you LOVED rollerskating back when you were a kid, this is a very good way to spend an afternoon. I was impressed by how well the anouncers explained the game so everyone could get into the experience, and I loved the kitschy, fun stuff - like the bake sale, and the trick rollerskaters at half time. The Armory venue is retro-cool-tastic, and parking is easy. I think this is the perfect event for a gang of 6 to 10 year old girls. Very girrrl-power. Helpful hint: buy your ticket in advance. The on-site purchase lines are insanely long. read more

If you've never been to a derby bout, go. Go now. Well, not now, but check out their schedule and then go. The DC derby...excuse me, roller girls did not disappoint in their 1st set of bouts of the season. I'd been to a couple bouts out in AZ, but I was surprised at how family friendly the DC experience is (stage names excluded, of course). There were kids everywhere! And they were into it! As for the ladies, they were awesome. They made it look easy and put on a really good show. I also loved that they had some local businesses w/ tables there (that dessert table is a MUST visit). They also offer a good amount of merch for each team. The DC Armory may be a little tough to get to, and hot as anything, but it's so worth it. Even the mayor of DC made it out there! Support the DC Rollergirls! You'll have a great time, you'll see. Go Scare Force One! read more

The DC Rollergirls Doubleheader was as exciting as I hoped. Good thing I read up on the rules on wikipedia. The Rollergirls-in-training at the Will Call table were really friendly and one showed us this huge bruise on her upper thigh from training. They also told us that the announcers would go over the rules, but I knew that I'd probably get distracted with everything going on that I might not hear everything. The rollergirls and announcers were not shy with the silvery shorts and shiny. The Cherryblossom bomb mascot was a highlight with the dancing around the circle before the match. When I forgot the mascot was a bomb, I'd said "That's so awesome the mascot is wearing a fez!!" We sat in the bleachers so we weren't right in front of the action. Sometimes, we'd get distracted by the other audience members like the little cowboy boots sporting boy who used his empty popcorn bucket as a hat for his dad. The different techniques the jammers used depending on their strenghts was fun to watch. The smaller jammers would sometimes manuver between their teammates, while a jammer called 6 foot would just plow through the others. My +1 would say, "No, 6 foot! Don't kill her. She's too young to die." Everyone seemed to be mostly in one piece though. People were still walking in after the match started at 4pm, but we got there about 30 minutes after doors opened at 3pm and had our choice of the bleachers. The ring around the rink was mostly full by that point of the hardcore fans. We weren't sure what the dress code for the audience was because there was everything from plaid, white fur coat, knee high socks in the crowd. Needless to say, it was a diverse group following rollerderby. read more

Honestly, meh. I would say Carol C.'s review is accurate. Maybe I built it up to myself too much but I didn't really think the roller derby match I saw was anything special. I was expecting a fast paced game, girls in hot outfits, shoving and lots of cat fights. What I got was a very slow and boring race where there were actually rules against getting too physical. What the hell is that?! I've only been to one game so I would probably give it another try, but as of now I am not impressed. read more

I've been wanting to check out a roller derby match for years, and I finally got my opportunity via a double header at the DC Armory last night. You don't have to know anything about roller derby to enjoy this experience. The place was pretty packed, so the crowd's excitement definitely added to the fun. The announcers were over the top and funny, while also explaining the rules and plays going on. I expected girly girls beating the crap out of each other on the rink, but I didn't expect the level of athleticism, strategy and teamwork that I saw gong on. And, it was definitely fun watching the girls take spills every so often. The place was so packed, they almost ran out of beer, and the lines for the beer were pretty long, too. But, overall a cool experience and one I might try again. read more

Yelp reviewers, You led me seriously astray with this experience. I paid 10 bucks to park and 12 bucks to watch women roller skate around a makeshift excuse for a "rink" in the DC armory. We sat in plastic chairs on the armory floor, drinking $9 bud lights, for 1.5 hours til we gave up on trying to get into this sport. If you like the Nascar crowd, you might be at home here. it's like watching baseball in the nosebleed seats. You are drinking a bit, hanging out with some friends, while something is going on in the background that you don't really care about. read more

This was a surprisingly good time. We got there right as the first event was starting (after they explained how it works) and even though I only understood as much as I remembered from that TV show years ago, it was a good time. Made me want to go see some UFC matches. I like the big hits. Anyway, we were there for the Halloween events, and there was a costume contest and lots of candy. They shot t-shirts into the crowd (or threw them after their tshirt gun proved too powerful for the size of the crowd). I would've liked to have been on one of these teams back when I was working and frustrated and wanting to hit things hard... but watching it was fun, too. Loved the names of the players. Definitely beats going to the movies. As an aside, my friend keeps telling me that I've been going to the wrong places to meet men... There were plenty of guys here... but no, I didn't get or give any digits. read more

Fun fun fun. Loved the crowd. It reminded me of Seattle. They also have beer and cupcakes, how can that be wrong. read more

DC Rollergirls - Amateur Sports Teams Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

My husband and I have been coming to DC Rollergirls bouts since 2009. The bouts are affordable, addictive and a lot of fun. In fact, roller derby is the only sport I watch (and this is saying something, since I was *that* uncoordinated kid in gym class whom everyone made fun of, and I've never cared enough to learn the rules about any other sport). If you've never been before, there's always a demonstration and explanation of the rules at the beginning of the game, and other fans are always happy to explain the rules to you or to answer a question. There's nice interaction with the rollergirls, too, and fun events for the kids. If Karen Mary Co. is there with baked goods, you must buy something--these homemade treats are absolutely delicious (and made by a former DC Rollergirl's husband). If you're looking for an affordable afternoon that's suitable for all ages and looking to try something new, give roller derby a try and support this volunteer-run league. (The skaters not only pay to play but do the work to put on the bouts, such as securing sponsorships, advertising the events and lining up half-time entertainment.) Plus, the Armory is a great venue for roller derby--not a bad seat in the house. read more

Lots of fun. its a must go for the entire family. Go with an empty stomach so you can purchase some of the great treats. The shirts are also fun. Its a great way to spend a day with friends. Roller Derby is action packed. Do a wikipedia search on the rules so you aren't too confused when you get there. read more

Went with Wifey and another friend for the first time, having exactly zero idea what it was about or the rules or the crowd or whatever. I have to say, I was pretty impressed. The sport is better than I thought, with legitimate strategic plays, pretty good action, pretty good pace. I found it to be a combination of football and racing, with some elements of both. Probably less "hard hitting" than I expected, but there were still plenty of solid hits and spills. The demonstration at the beginning was good but I found the Wikipedia article to really be helpful on the phone when I wanted to learn some nuances of the game. The real fun, to me, was the environment. It's pretty chill and relaxed, everyone is pretty friendly, and it's generally fun to watch the show. There was "halftime" entertainment, etc. Tickets are very reasonably priced, although the food/beverages are not so much. Not sure if I'll become a hard core fan, but it's absolutely worth checking out if you're looking for some cool winter entertainment. read more

I love roller derby. It's fast, it's fun, it's exciting. It is also the only sport that my wife enjoys watching. We saw Whip It and decided to check out DCRG and have been hooked since fall of 2009. We even went up to Toronto for the inaugural roller derby World Cup. It's inexpensive ($12 per ticket) and it's totally fun. Most bouts are at the Armory, which is easy to get to by car or metro. Ok, the Armory itself isn't the greatest venue, but trust me, there are worse. If nothing else, the Armory has great sightlines and there aren't any bad seats. For those who are more adventurous (and 18 years old), sitting trackside in the so-called "suicide seats" is as fun as it gets. You can really feel just how fast these women are going, but there is a chance that you may get hit by a crashing derby girl. read more

Good, cheap, clean (except for a few of the names of the players) fun. The game is fun to watch (fairly straightforward rules). They have one of the best bake sales that I have ever had (lurve the marshmellows and giant cookies!). The crowd is... eclectic (I have been to a lot of SF and Anime con's, nothing will cause me to bat an eyelid after some of those experiences). Everything from families with small children, hipsters sipping on their beers, to people in costume (both related to the event or just because). It really is a fun way to spend a couple of hours! read more

I went to the recent DC Rollergirls Doubleheader with a few friends. The first bout (I think that's what it's called) began at 4pm. We got there around 4:15pm so we not only had to wait in a bit of a line to go through the metal detectors and to buy tickets, we also had to find seats kinda further up the bleachers. However we still had a decent view of the manually marked with tape rink down on the main floor. After sitting down and starting to sip on our first beer, we all realized we had no clue what was going on in and how scoring worked. I guess I should have looked the rules up on wikipedia beforehand. There were definitely times where we thought we knew who was winning, but then after that round, the other team's score went up. Hmm... Oh well, we got the jist of the game by the end of the first bout. The crowd was cheering for one or both teams, and it was a very fun environment. Although there were some pushing, some spills, some pile ups on the rink, I honestly was expecting it to be a little "less-tame". haha But nevertheless, a fun thing to do on a lazy weekend and I'd be interested in going again in the future. Though this time getting there earlier to get seats with a better view of everything. read more

It's a LOT of fun, fairly easy to understand rules ( and helpful announcers, program notes, and friendly fans to explain them), campy, loopy, athletic, feminist (in a post-feminist way?), family friendly, low-key, and with a diverse fan-base. Biggest drawback in DC is the expensive CRAP BEER. There are an amazing number of gullible idiots out there who think PBR is something special, and are willing to slap down $7 for it. The food is overpriced, too. There was a bake sale but I didn't get over to see what they had - we were sitting on the other side of the court. Baltimore's roller derby was better in a number of ways - punkier, a very good team (Charm City), cheaper everything, and micro-brew beer (and if you want crap beer, at least it was local crap beer - Nattie Bo). Like most things in Baltmore, it was cheaper, friendlier, and more home-towny than DC. The biggest problem in Baltimore was that the games were very uneven - one of the final scores was something like 100 - 250. So not too much excitement there. One of the bouts in DC was like that, too. Worth your while to do some research to see if the teams are about equal in strength before you go. Note that there is heavy security checking to get into the DC Armory - metal detectors, etc. (nothing like that in Baltimore), which slows down the line of ticket buyers. It goes a lot faster if you buy tix in advance. If you are buying there - go early or go late to avoid the lines. Also note that it is right near a metro stop - a lot cheaper (unless driving with a group) to take metro than parking for $10. read more

No idea what the rules are, but a bunch of feisty women skating is reason enough to come out and cheer. You go grrrls!

I'm not a sports fan, but this is a great time. Derby is fierce, fabulous, and positive for women of all shapes, sizes, and orientations. It's great fun to attend with friends and cheer for the underdog. The beer may be overpriced, but who cares? It's great to support the teams by buying homemade baked goods and derby swag; the half-time shows are super entertaining, and overall it's a super way to spend an afternoon. read more

I was so very excited to go and watch the game. I dragged along quite a few people for the Thanksgiving weekend. We get there, and the line for the metal detector wasn't too bad, the line to pay for the tickets wasn't too bad (if you had cash), but the line for the beer was horrendous! We found a seat, saw our friend in the beer line, watch the exhibition jame, and just before the start of the 'real game', he came back from the line. He said it was a 45min wait (I believe him since it took 30mins from when i saw him for him to get back to his seat). Why is this very important? Because you need alcohol to watch the DC Rollergirls play. It was slower than I ever thought it was going to be. The rules were hard to follow (atlhough I tried - they give you a pamphlet). And the DJs were either incomprehensible with mumbling/feedback, or were saying: Fantastic, you can't get a jam better than that. All in all, I was disappointed. I might go back if it was cheaper (tix are $12!), they fix the amount of time in the beer line [why, oh why can't they have more than one spot in the entire armory to buy beer - where's the vendors?], I totally and completely pre-game like it's no tommorrow, and the DJs actually start making some sense. I had more fun in the cold, pouring rain watching the DC Divas back in June 2008 than watching the DC Rollergirls in a nice, warm stadium. read more

This was the absolutely perfect way to spend a Saturday afternoon. My friend and I had both gone to Detroit Derby Girls, but this was the first time checking out Derby in the District, and it did not disappoint. If you've never been to roller derby before, make sure you read the Wikipedia page before you go, because it will help assuage your confusion immensely. But don't be intimidated, the crowd and the teams are just phenomenal, friendly people, who are more than happy to share what they know. Just a fun, laid-back atmosphere to grab a PBR tall boy and check out some bad-ass chicks beat each other to hell on roller skates. What more could you want? read more

OMFG I'M HOOKED ON DERBY!! The first time I went there I FELL IN LOVE with the team Scare Force One! So much so that I had to buy a tee! These ladies are AMAZING!! I'm so in love with it that I want to actually try out for it!! It was exhilarating, there was PBR (a personal fave) and awesome bouts all around! I love it so much, it is my goal to go to every bout in D.C.!! Love this stuff!! read more

Such a great time. Today's bout was canceled due to the snow and the government closing early. However, it is a great time. It is so exciting that you can get all the great concessions while watching some great sports. Hard skating, good and plentiful beer and great family fun. If you have never been you are totally missing out. Go. See. Experience. You will love it! Bring your family for sure. They do a lot to make sure that kids will have a good time. Face painting, half time shows of local dance troops or musical acts and bake sales that support the teams. read more

Yes! Roller derby is the best kind of spectator sport. There is no reason you should not be going to the roller derby and also bringing your children if you have them. I performed in the half-time show yesterday - it was awesome. read more

Full Disclosure: I had so much fun watching the bout, I decided to join! (after I wrote the review). Hope you can come check out the action this season! It gets better and better (of course, now I'm biased!) read more

The best bang for your buck. The DC Armory is right around the corner from the Stadium/Armory metro stop, and the game doesn't run late, so you can still spend the evening partying it up. In fact, you can follow the girls to the bar. The atmosphere is family friendly, not too formal and not too violent. The cost to get in is WAY cheaper than you'd expect (like $12/person, half for kids). The concessions are cheaper than what you'd pay at the ballpark. Sort of like the best of both a state fair and a sporting arena. A family of 4 can expect to pay about $60, depending on what food you eat (more if you want souvenirs). And you won't have to deal with scalpers, drunken fans, long restroom lines, and long hikes to the nose-bleeder seats. You won't have to grumble about industry taking all the good seats and then not filling them, or rich people you can't stand taking skybox seats, looking down on you. If you come early, you can get seats right no the floor (16 and older only), where the girls are so close, you can feel the thunder of their skates in your chest as they roll by. Sadly, if one falls in your lap, you have to return her. Make sure she doesn't spill your beer! With the over-commercialization of sports, it's good to have old-fashioned fun with people who have day jobs to cheer for. All these girls are volunteers, none of them get paid, and they work hard and play hard. Despite the tongue-in-cheek campiness, it's not like pro-wrestling or as it was in the late 1979s. There are no stories or sagas, just real people in a real competition. The announcer, Diamond Derby Dave, is funny, sharp, and witty, but if you have kids, there's no overt swearing or sexuality: close to a PG-13 rating. And if you like them, like their cause, you can volunteer for them. That's what I did. Try that with the Redskins or Nationals! And, if you are a tough gal, and want to get on some skates and have bruises to show off to your coworkers, this is the perfect night sport to get involved in. They are always looking for new recruits! read more

Talk about a unique slice of Americana. Roller derby and Pabst Blue Ribbon. This is something you should do at least once. In many ways it is the most "real" sporting event you can find in DC. The ladies all work hard and it was nice to see them enjoy themselves. Kudos to all involved. read more

Had a great time this past Sunday at DC Rollergirls. I've never been to a roller derby or seen one before so I had no idea what to expect or really what was going on. At the beginning of the match (not sure if that's the right terminology) they did a wonderful job of explaining the sport and showing you what to watch and look for. It was very easy to pick up and I was able to follow along in no time. All of the Rollergirls were going all out to win and it was amazing and incredibly fun to watch. Tickets were very reasonably priced as was food. Plus they have PBR! Always a good thing. They made a big fan out of me and I can't wait to go back! read more

The Feb 5 bout was a lot of fun. Offbeat, colorful, and the women are terrific. I'd give it 5 stars if I knew the concession profits were going back into the sport. Well, maybe not...the prices are over the top regardless. Take the Metro and avoid the parking fee. Slideshow here: http://photo.garyjean.com/dcrollers/slideshow read more

I have a long list of to-do activities for 2013 and am just now managing to pack these activities in right before 2014. Seeing a DC Roller Girls bout is one of them and it has finally been accomplished. I read all of the Yelp reviews prior to attending and based on my experience today, I will say Pam Z's review is the most helpful. Make sure to watch the two minute Youtube video she linked in her review. The only thing the video did not touch on which confused me during the game is that there are always supposed to be four blockers per team but sometimes there are less. When there are less than four per team, it's because those members are in the penalty box, which happens often. The sport is not super aggressive like I remember from watching roller derby as a kid. The teams are respectful of each other for the most part and show good sportsmanship. One thing my friend and I both commented on is that the girls don't show a huge amount of spirit in the way of high fiving each other or cheering each other on. It's much more subdued. There is still plenty of action and people do fall down and get hurt, but just not to the extent you might expect. Another review mentioned that the announcer does a good job of calling the action. I did not find that to be the case. I found the announcer to be distracting and uninformative so I highly suggest watching theYoutbe video as an introduction instead. Also, the DC Roller Girls is a league comprised of four teams and an All-Star team. There is no "one" DC Roller Girls team. I did not figure that out until the entire second match started. There is a DC Roller Girls question girl (wears a very large question mark on her helmet; really you cannot miss her and her fairy wings) who will answer any questions you might have during the game. There are no bad seats in the house. You can take your time getting to the venue. There is really no rush as there is plenty of seating and it's a laid back environment. I bought my tickets in advance ($20/ea). Ticketmaster sent the tickets directly to my phone and they were scanned in at the door. The ticket line at the door was not that long so you could always purchase onsite. The event itself was interesting and entertaining. I came here with a friend and we left early but I will attend again now that I know what is going on. I also think it makes it more entertaining when you know more about the individual roller girls. Beer would also help. Parking: There is a $15 parking garage across the street from the venue. The metro is the same distance (Stadium/Armory) as the parking garage, so metro is probably the best option (especially if there is a game at RFK). There was street parking available approximately three blocks away on 17th street. Closer in, there are signs that say No Parking During Stadium Events and one Yelper mentioned that this counts as a stadium event. I am not sure if this is true or not. Armory: I did not recognize the Armory and it had a funny title like National Guard something or other. The large brown building near the stadium is the Armory (there is a helicopter in the front). Maybe other DC'ers already know this, but I did not recognize it. The Armory is not air-conditioned, which is fine in the winter months but might be uncomfortable in the summer. Security: Your bags will be checked and you will be scanned with a wand. The worst part about this is that when they check your bags, your bags end up behind you and really anyone in line could take something out of your bag. The guards were not paying attention. It made me very uneasy. read more

Roller derby is gritty and glam, exciting and athletic, and basically badass. I'm hardly a sports fan, but the DC Rollergirls always have me cheering like mad. NOT to be missed! read more

This is very much fun! The derby itself is entertaining - not least because of the individual players' creative names and numbers. The crowd is lively, and evidently steadily increasing. Most of the problems mentioned previously - mumbling announcers, huge lines for concessions - appeared to have been resolved. It was great to see the players all interact freely and easily with the crowd before and after their matches, and also how warmly the teams received one another. As others mentioned, there were definitely times when the pace of the derby was significantly slower than what I expected; I filled those times with talking to my friends, people-watching, and trying to figure out roller derby tactics/strategy/rules, and all was well. The halftime entertainment is evidently always quirky, and whether that's good or bad depends on the day and your sense of humor. It's all a fun experience. read more

I went to the Halloween bout & it was an absolute blast! There wasn't a long wait at concessions, they had facepainting for kids(& many adults)They explained the basics of the sport before the jam started & we heard everything crystal clear from the DJ.I had an excellent time & look forward to the Nov 28th bout! ! ! read more

OK You have to do two very important things before you attend. Forget EVERYTHING you've ever watched growing up in the 70's watching the T-Birds on t.v. It's not the same roller derby. Second learn the rules. If you don't know the rules you will get bored within the first 15 min. It's a pretty cool event, everyone from security to the "?" ladies and even the players are very approachable. The players will take pictures with you and sign some autographs. I liked the little vendor area, I wish there were more vendors...you would think the vendors would be a little more friendly. It is family friendly but I would HIGHLY recommend eating before you go, the prices were way to high...8.00 for a beer 4.00 for a soda. Parking is very easy but it will run you 10.00. The crowd itself..hhmm how to explain the crowd...it's not your normal sporting event crowd...It's a huge mixture of pretty much anyone you can find...and that's really not a bad thing..My only advice is go with an open mind and you should have a lot of fun. GO WHIPS!!!! read more