WASHINGTON: The Washington Kastles Friday announced they will play the 2019 World TeamTennis season in a new stadium specially constructed by EDENS on the existing roof of Union Market.
Kastles Stadium at Union Market aims to reimagine tennis with the sky-breaking rooftop stadium offering sweeping views of the district and a new game-day experience for Kastles fans including extraordinary culinary options.
Union Market district has been one of DC’s most iconic destinations for generations. Since the Market’s re-opening in 2012, over 5 million people annually visit the district.
“As a Washingtonian who loves this city, I am dedicated to bringing our community together and showcasing DC as a world-class destination through the power of sports,” said team owner Mark Ein. “From its roots as Centre Market, a fresh food venue established more than 100 years ago, Union Market has become a great unifier for our community. Kastles Stadium at Union Market will be the perfect home court for our franchise and will connect people from all walks of life throughout the region. We look forward to making memories here for many seasons to come, and are grateful to partner with a visionary like Jodie McLean and the EDENS team to provide fans with an unmatched sports and entertainment experience.”
The distinctive rooftop court will be home to some of the top players in the world this summer, including Kastles’ stars Venus Williams, Nick Kyrgios, and Maryland native Frances Tiafoe. Washington opens the season on their new home court on July 15 when the Kastles, led by Tiafoe, host the Las Vegas Rollers.
EDENS, the owner and developer of Union Market, has proposed plans in front of Zoning Commission to activate the existing rooftop of the Union Market building – with the Union Market sign as a backdrop – to create an 8,000 square foot park and entertainment venue with food and beverage offerings and a wide-array of community programming.
“EDENS is committed to creative thinking and bold actions that we hope contribute to the evolution of DC as a world-class city. Bringing elite athletes to an innovative pop-up stadium and working with city thought leaders like Mark Ein, Councilmember McDuffie and Mayor Bowser is a privilege,” said EDENS CEO Jodie McLean. “We are honored to play our part in creating a community that reaches not only our immediate neighbors, but much further providing connections and experiences that enrich those who spend time here. Our financial and emotional investments in the Union Market District are aimed at building a community of creativity, innovation and inclusion for all.”
For the past 11 years, the Kastles have played across Washington, D.C., in locations that became some of the US capital’s most iconic neighborhood destinations. The team began a historic winning reign in 2008 on the site that would later become CityCenterDC. In 2011 the franchise moved to The Wharf, which overlooks the Southwest Waterfront, and the Kastles have called George Washington University home for the past four seasons. While at George Washington University, the team created an incredible indoor tennis environment where the best players from all over the world came to compete. With the new move, Ein is bringing his team back outside, establishing Kastles Stadium at Union Market as the most unique setting for professional tennis competition in the country and making it the most exciting venue for the Kastles to date.
The arrival of Kastles Stadium will be a marquee moment for the Union Market district and will be the first event to happen on this rooftop location.
The Kastles have continued to keep community at the center of their mission and vision throughout their 11-year history and are dedicated to investing in the people and places where they practice and play. The franchise has donated over $1.4 million in cash and in-kind contributions to over 150 community, charitable and military support organizations serving the greater DC region. Additionally, the franchise continues to host 4-5 youth clinics every year with Kastles players, area teaching pros and some of the biggest stars in the sport including Serena Williams, Venus Williams, the Bryan Brothers, Frances Tiafoe, Martina Hingis, Leander Paes, Sam Querrey, Nick Kyrgios and others.
The Kastles are recognized as the most dominant franchise in World TeamTennis’ 44-season history, capturing a league record six championships, including five consecutive titles from 2011-15. Washington also set the mark in 2013 for the longest winning streak in major professional sports history at 34 matches (2011-13).
“The new Kastles Stadium will place fans in the center of the action making them a part of the Union Market community while showcasing the beauty of the D.C. skyline, making it one of the most spectacular and iconic sporting venues the city has ever seen,” said Ein. “Coming off our previous stadiums that often hosted sold-out crowds with capacities ranging from 2,200 to 3,500 seats, Kastles matches in our new 700-seat venue will undoubtedly be the hottest ticket of the 2019 summer.”
