SPORTS

Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore hosts the Preakness (one of three thoroughbred horse races in the world famous Triple Crown) and contributes to Maryland's reputation as "horse country."

Horse in stable, Timonium, Maryland
1998. Photo by Diane P. Frese.

The Maryland area is home to five professional sports teams, more than a dozen nationally competitive college-level sports teams, and several large sporting facilities.

The University of Maryland athletics program, perhaps best known for the Terps (Terrapins) basketball team, organizes many sporting teams. The University operates the 48,000-person capacity Byrd Stadium at College Park.
The Baltimore Orioles baseball team plays in Oriole Park at Camden Yards, one of the nation's first retro-styled stadiums built to recall early baseball parks. Located in downtown Baltimore, the Stadium opened in 1992. It seats 48,262 people. Adjoining buildings include the Orioles' offices, shops, and restaurants.
The Ravens of the National Football League began their Baltimore debut in the 1996 season. A 68,400-seat stadium was completed in 1998 to host the team. Ravens Stadium was renamed PSINet Stadium on January 26, 1999 and is part of Baltimore's Camden Yards sporting complex.
MCI Center in nearby Washington, DC, is home to Wizards basketball and Capitals ice hockey.
The Washington Redskins National Football League team plays at Jack Kent Cooke Stadium in Landover, Maryland. The Stadium opened in 1997 and seats 80,116 people.
Navy football is played at the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis. Opened in 1959, the Stadium seats 30,000. It is home to the midshipmen of the United States Naval Academy athletics department. Throughout the year, other activities center near the Stadium, including runs sponsored by the Annapolis Striders.
Baltimore's Memorial Stadium, which seats 60,020 fans, was built in 1953. Formerly, the Baltimore Colts football team, the Baltimore Orioles baseball team, and the Ravens football team played at Memorial Stadium.

The Maryland Stadium Authority is concerned with selection and operation of certain stadiums in the State.

Maryland at a Glance

Maryland Manual On-Line

e-mail: mdmanual@mdarchives.state.md.us