Reeves Field - American Eagles

Photos by Gregory Koch, Stadium Journey

Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.14

Reeves Field

3701 University Avenue

Washington, DC 20016

American Eagles website

Reeves Field website

Year Opened: 1949

Capacity: 700

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Fly, Eagles, Fly

Reeves Field is located on the campus of American University in Washington, D.C., and has been the home of the Eagles soccer team since 1949. The stadium is named after John M. Reeves, who served on the University’s Board of Trustees for 23 years. The stadium also contains a track which serves as the home of the Eagles’ track and field programs.

Many professional and national teams have used Reeves Field as a practice facility while they visit D.C., including Major League Soccer teams such as the San Jose Earthquakes and Seattle Sounders, European teams such as FC Barcelona and A.C. Milan, and national teams from the United States as well as foreign countries like Bolivia and Portugal.

Food & Beverage 1

There was no food or drink for sale at Reeves Field during Stadium Journey's visit. However, the Eagles often give away free food such as pizza or ice cream as part of promotions, either to students or to all fans, as part of promotions. Check the AU athletics website for details. There are also several fast food restaurants by the parking garage that you will pass as you walk in, including a Starbucks, Qdoba, and Subway. Fans can bring food and drink from here, or any other outside food and beverage except alcohol, into Reeves Field.

Atmosphere 3

Reeves Field seats only 700 fans, so there is not a bad seat in the building. After entering, you will walk around the track to the bleachers on the far side of the field. You can also choose to just stand along the track and watch from there, as some fans do. The bleachers are pretty much the only part of the field in the shade during the day, as they lie under some trees.

This is nice on late August afternoons when the heat can be scorching, but once you get into the fall, it can be annoying to have leaves landing on your head during the game. The trees also tend to attract a lot of pesky insects. There is a large scoreboard located in one of the corners, which also shows shots on goal and corner kicks as well as graphics such as animations and info on upcoming games.

In recent years, American has gotten better at promoting the soccer team in recent years, doing things like honoring alumni at halftime and various other promotions throughout the season. Unfortunately, the sound system at Reeves Field is of poor quality, so you may struggle to hear what is being said.

Neighborhood 5

American University is located in the Tenleytown neighborhood of Washington, D.C. This is several miles from the center of the city, but don’t let that discourage you from visiting. There are a number of restaurants nearby, including local favorites Z Burger, District Taco, and, of course, a number of chain restaurants. Tenleytown is a safe neighborhood to walk in, but due to its distance from downtown, you may be better off driving.

Of course, this being the nation’s capital, there is plenty going on elsewhere in the city as well, and the great thing is that most of it’s free. The National Mall and all of its monuments and memorials are absolutely gorgeous on a fall afternoon, and if it’s a rainy day, you can stop into one of the many museums. All government-run attractions are free of charge, though some privately-owned ones are not. Just keep in mind if you want to tour the Capitol or the White House, you will need to schedule that in advance.

Hotels are extremely expensive in DC itself, at least the ones of decent quality, so if you’re staying overnight, your best bet is to stay in the Virginia or Maryland suburbs and drive over.

Fans 4

Although Reeves Field only seats 700, the bleachers will be close to full for most games, especially on weekends. Students, alumni, family, and locals alike pack the bleachers to cheer on the Eagles. Just a few years ago, these bleachers were nearly empty, but the experience here has significantly improved recently. Some students stand behind whichever goal the Eagles are defending and shout at the opposing goalkeeper, but most just hang out in the stands with everyone else.

Access 3

Parking at Reeves Field is simple - just use the garage near Bender Arena. This will cost you $10 regardless of when you visit, which is disappointing as it was free until this year. The parking garage has some very tight spaces, which may be difficult for large vehicles to maneuver. Take the elevator down to the lobby of Bender and follow the signs to Reeves Field, about a five-minute walk away.

From there, you will walk along a path and enter the stadium. Note that construction on the Meltzer Athletic Performance Center next to Reeves Field may force you to take a detour on your walking route, and the situation will change dynamically. It is scheduled to open in early 2026, so if you are visiting Reeves Field after 2025, the situation should be stable but may not match what is described here.

There are no restrooms at Reeves Field, but the surrounding buildings are open during games and have restrooms. There are several within a five-minute walk. However, the Meltzer Center behind one goal is still under construction as of 2025, so you can't use the restrooms in there yet. It may be possible in the 2026 season and going forward, but if not, there are plenty of other places to go. There are also some porta-potties by the Meltzer construction zone, but these might be intended for the construction workers rather than the fans.

Return on Investment 4

Admission to American University soccer games is free, but parking will cost you $10. This is a change from a couple of years ago, when the team charged for admission, but parking was free. Overall, an American University soccer game is a good value.

Extras 2

There are free roster cards in a container by the entrance, and you can also get a virtual one by scanning a QR code. It is good that American is giving fans both options. Many teams have taken away physical programs entirely in recent years and forced fans to go virtual. On the other hand, many fans generally do prefer virtual cards, particularly since the physical ones tend to blow away if you are not careful. Allowing fans to choose between them is the best option.

A second star for the large student presence at games, something not often seen at this level.

Final Thoughts

An American University Eagles soccer game is an above-average college soccer experience. While local schools like Georgetown and Maryland draw more fans and have better stadiums, college soccer is alive and well in America as well. The crowds have grown in recent years, and this is an experience on the rise.