Stadium–Armory station
| Company type | Washington Metro station |
|---|---|
| Industry | Public transportation |
| Founded | July 1, 1977 |
| Headquarters | Washington, D.C. , United States |
Area served | Hill East, Kingman Park, Washington, D.C. |
| Owner | Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) |
Stadium–Armory station is a Washington Metro facility located in the Hill East area of Southeast Washington, D.C. It commenced operations on July 1, 1977, and is managed by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA). The station accommodates the Blue, Orange, and Silver Lines. Its name derives from its close vicinity to both the RFK Stadium complex and the D.C. Armory.
Functioning as a crucial interchange, Stadium–Armory represents the final stop shared by all three lines before they split heading east. Past this point, the lines ascend onto elevated tracks that span the Anacostia River. The Orange Line along with certain Silver Line trains proceed northbound toward , whereas the Blue Line and other Silver Line trains continue eastward through a tunnel to .
Station layout
Serving the neighborhoods of Hill East and Kingman Park, Stadium–Armory station takes its name from nearby landmarks, including RFK Stadium and the D.C. Armory. The station consists of a single island platform flanked by two tracks: Track D1 handles eastbound trains traveling to destinations such as New Carrollton or Largo, while Track D2 accommodates westbound trains bound for Vienna, Franconia–Springfield, or Ashburn. At the northern end, a destination display indicates approaching train routes—orange for New Carrollton, blue and/or silver for Largo—this feature is typically found only at major transfer hubs like . Northward from the station, tracks elevate to cross over the Anacostia River. Following an elevated pocket track, the D&G Junction separates the Orange Line from the Blue and Silver Lines as they continue eastward into Maryland.
There are two access points on 19th Street SE: one at Independence Avenue to the north and another between C & Burke Streets SE to the south, with elevator facilities available at the southern entrance.
20th century
Stadium–Armory opened on July 1, 1977, coinciding with the completion of of rail connecting National Airport and RFK Stadium. The Orange Line began service at this station on November 20, 1978. It remains the final underground stop where eastbound Orange, Blue, and Silver lines operate together.
In 1979, an attempt by the D.C. Armory to rename the station "Starplex" was rejected by the Metro Board. From its inauguration until November 22, 1980, when extended to , Stadium–Armory served as the eastern terminus for the Blue Line.
21st century
Although initially intended as the Silver Line's eastern endpoint, Stadium–Armory's function shifted in December 2012 due to safety concerns related to a pocket track. Consequently, WMATA extended Silver Line service into Prince George's County, Maryland, reaching Largo—the eastern terminus of the Blue Line. Silver Line trains began stopping at Stadium–Armory on July 26, 2014.
Between May 28 and September 5, 2022, all Orange Line trains terminated at Stadium–Armory because stations north were closed for the Platform Improvement Project. During weekends in this period, Blue and Silver Line trains also ended their routes at Stadium–Armory while Orange Line service was shortened to Ballston–MU to allow for repairs on aerial structures.
Transformer blaze
On September 21, 2015, a fire broke out in a transformer near Stadium–Armory, resulting in major delays due to a decreased power supply. To alleviate overcrowding during peak hours, WMATA directed Orange and Silver line trains to bypass the station temporarily. Complete service resumed by November.