STANDING UP FOR D.C. UNITED SINCE 1995
#Lot8Life
Looking for a place to kick back before a match? Head on over to the Matthew Henson Earth Conservation Center, and join us for a drink on the Anacostia! This fantastic spot, only two blocks from Audi Field (at 2000 Half Street SW), is run by the Earth Conservation Corps (ECC). The ECC is a nonprofit youth development and environmental service organization, and we are thrilled to be working with them!
The Henson Center is a terrific venue that offers our members the festive and friendly tailgate atmosphere the Screaming Eagles are known for. The building can easily handle a large crowd, with indoor rooms as well as outdoor decks and walkways. Spectacular views of the Anacostia River are available both inside and out. A grassy area in front of the building provides plenty of room for kids (and their parents) to play. Best of all, the Henson Center is home to beautiful, amazing birds of prey, and SE members can visit them! Want to meet a red-tailed hawk or an osprey? Now's your chance (under the supervision of an ECC staff member, of course).
Interested in making new friends and helping out at a tailgate? Sign up today!
Food and Drink
A rotating selection of beers and cider will be available for your tailgating pleasure. For those who don't drink alcohol, water and soda will be available. Current SE members drink for free. Attendees who are not current SE members are welcome to partake following the purchase of a one-day tailgate membership. These are $15 for access to all beverages, and $5 for nonalcoholic options (soda and water). One-day memberships can be purchased online through our store - please bring an electronic or paper proof of purchase when you check in for your wristband. One-day memberships can also be purchased via cash or credit card at the door. If you're planning on attending at least two of our tailgates this season, we suggest getting yourself a full membership instead - it's the same cost!
Please note that the grassy areas surrounding the Henson Center belong to the National Park Service. According to the NPS, alcohol may not be served or consumed on their property. In practice, this means that you can enjoy your beer or cider inside the Henson Center, or on one of the outdoor decks or walkways, but not outside on the grass unless specifically designated as such.
We are not currently cooking food as part of our tailgates, but you're welcome to bring food and/or your own grilling setup (no propane grills, please). Alternatively, you can order delivery from one of the many local options.
General Guidelines
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Unless otherwise noted, weekend tailgates start 4 hours before kickoff. Weeknight tailgates start at 5 pm.
- Parking is not available at the Henson Center, but it is walking distance from two metro stops: Waterfront-SEU and Navy Yard, both on Metro's Green Line (see map below). It is also accessible via bus (#74).
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As noted above, the outdoor space at the Henson Center is national parkland. This means that alcohol is not allowed outdoors on grassy areas unless the area is specifically marked.
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We are excited for tailgate attendees to have the chance to meet the amazing raptors that live at the Henson Center, but please note: these are wild animals. Any interactions must be strictly supervised by ECC personnel. For your own safety and for that of the birds, all guests must follow the directions of ECC staff. Failure to do so may result in your being asked to leave the tailgate.
Corona (not the kind with lime)
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We could all use a chance to relax at a tailgate, but we are also quite serious about doing what we can to protect our members and guests. New protocols are in place to try to reduce the risks of infection, but we cannot fully guarantee that you will not be exposed to coronavirus at a tailgate. Tailgates are socialization events, and are not without risk in the middle of a pandemic. Please use your common sense. That said...
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COVID-19 vaccination for all attendees ages 5 and up is required to attend SE tailgates.
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Masks are optional.
We look forward to the day when tailgates (and life in the DMV) can regain more normalcy, but until then, thanks for bearing with us as we work to find a safer way to see each other and celebrate the sport and team we love.
