Leagues of Their Own: 10 DMV Spots for Social Sports Fun this Fall

When joining a social sports league, picking a venue can be just as fun as deciding what sport to play. Explore the local digs that DC Fray’s fall leagues will call home this season.

We know talking about the weather can be a total cliche, but fall is coming, and it’s hard not to look forward to cooler days where you actually want to be outside. What’s better, you can play sports and not sweat like crazy. This fall, DC Fray is offering sports leagues all over the DMV to give you a chance to play, meet people and have a sporty night out. 

Thousands of players in the D.C. Metro come out to take part each year, and it doesn’t matter if you’re a novice or a semi-professional, there’s a league for everyone. Here are some of the coolest venues offering a variety of sports throughout the week. 

The Boro
The EastBoro Sports Court is home to basketball on Wednesday evenings beginning September 13. Teams of 10 will play four-on-four for two 20-minute halves. The Sports Court also has a pickleball league on Saturdays starting September 23. Players can register as an individual or a team of at least three. Wednesdays at 6 p.m. + Saturdays at 9 a.m. 8251 Greensboro St. Tysons, VA; theborotysons.com // @theborotysons

Bowlero
One of the increasingly popular venues in Tysons, this bowling alley/bar offers bowling leagues on Thursday nights beginning Sept. 21. A full bar menu plus attractions like ping-pong, bocce and cornhole make for a fun evening before and after league play. 2001 International Dr. Suite 1695G, McLean, VA; bowlero.com // @bowlerobowl

Continental Beer Garden
Those in Arlington will want to come out to the Continental Beer Garden to play glow bocce on Tuesday evenings or cornhole on Thursday. Teams of four take part in each sport, and the leagues start September 19 and 21, respectively. Tuesdays + Thursdays at 6:30 p.m.1901 Fort Myer Dr. Arlington, VA; continentalpoollounge.com // @cplcbg_rosslyn

Dock 5
The second floor of Union Market hosts glow-in-the-dark pickleball on Mondays and Tuesdays beginning September 18. This is the latest craze and teams will fill up fast. 1309 5th St. NE, DC; unionmarketdc.com/retailer/dock5 // @unionmarketdc

The Fields @ RFK
Located in Capitol Hill, the Fields host multiple mixed-gender soccer and softball leagues throughout the week thanks to bar sponsor, The Brig. Soccer is an eight v. eight format, and softball requires teams of 10, though individuals are welcome and will be placed on a team. Sundays at 4 p.m., Wednesdays at 8 p.m. + Thursdays at 7:30 p.m. 401 Oklahoma Ave. NE, DC; eventsdc.com/venue/fields-rfk-campus // @eventsdc

Kraken Kourts
One of the newest venues, Kraken Kourts in the District’s Edgewood neighborhood, offers cornhole Wednesdays 6:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., beginning Sept. 27 and pickleball, 6:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesday evenings, beginning Sept. 25 and 27, respectively. Additional leagues also start for both sports Nov. 15. 514 Rhode Island Ave. NE, DC; experiencekraken.com // @experiencekraken

National Mall
For those who want to play on the National Mall, there are leagues in multiple sports, seven days a week, with everything from bocce to kickball to volleyball and more. For a drink with friends after you play, head to either Kelly’s Irish Times or Hamilton’s. Various days and times; click here for the full lineup of DC Fray leagues on the National Mall. 

Quincy Park
Tennis enthusiasts can come to the Arlington complex and join a league based on skill level, with different sessions that run 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Wednesday nights, beginning Sept. 30. Bronson Bier Hall is the associated bar. Quincy Park also hosts various softball leagues on Sunday and volleyball on Sundays and Wednesdays.1021 N. Quincy St. Arlington, VA 

Spider Kelly’s
The popular Arlington bar offers skeeball on Tuesdays and cornhole on Wednesdays beginning September 18 and 19, respectively. This is the lone skeeball league this season, so sign up quick. Tuesdays + Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. 3181 Wilson Blvd. Arlington, VA; spiderkellys.com // @spiderkellys

Union Market
Hi-Lawn, the roof of Union Market, is the place to be on Tuesday nights, for bocce and cornhole leagues starting September 19. 6:30 p.m. 1309 5th St. NE, DC; hilawndc.com // @hilawndc

For more information or to register for a league, visit dcfray.com/leagues.

Keith Loria

A theatre buff and huge music fan, Keith Loria is a D.C.-based award-winning journalist who has been writing about the arts for more than 20 years. He started his career with the Associated Press and has written for Soap Opera Digest, Playbill and Music Review. He looks forward to 2021 and the theaters reopening! He’s the proud father of two daughters, who often accompany him on his theater outings. Visit his website at keithloria.contently.com.