D.C. United vs. SC Paderborn 07: Bundesliga Comes to Audi Field
D.C. United host German Bundesliga side SC Paderborn 07 in a September friendly at Audi Field. Here's what DC soccer fans need to know before kickoff.
In brief
D.C. United will face German Bundesliga side SC Paderborn 07 in an international friendly at Audi Field in September 2026. The match marks a significant transatlantic matchup for the Black-and-Red, bringing European-level competition to Southwest DC at a critical point in the MLS season calendar — and if you know anything about this city's soccer culture, the streets are already buzzing.
⚡ Key Takeaways
D.C. United announced an international friendly against SC Paderborn 07, a Bundesliga club from North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
The match is scheduled for September 2026 at Audi Field in Southwest Washington, DC
SC Paderborn 07 has been a yo-yo club between the Bundesliga and 2. Bundesliga — bringing competitive, physical European football
The friendly lands during a pivotal stretch of D.C. United's MLS Eastern Conference campaign
Audi Field has hosted international friendlies before — this continues the club's strategy of elevating its global brand profile
Why SC Paderborn 07 Is a Bigger Deal Than You Think
Don't sleep on Paderborn. SC Paderborn 07 — formally Sportclub Paderborn 07 e.V. — hails from Paderborn in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany's most populous state and the industrial heartland of European football culture. The club has navigated the competitive gauntlet between the Bundesliga and 2. Bundesliga, earning a reputation as a scrappy, tactically disciplined side that punches above its weight class.
For DC United, this isn't just a summer exhibition. Scheduling a Bundesliga opponent signals intent — to players on the roster, to prospective signings, and to the fanbase in Petworth, H Street, and Capitol Hill who pack Audi Field in red-and-black. European clubs don't book transatlantic friendlies with organizations they don't respect. This is the kind of match that ends up on a player's Wikipedia page.
Think about the cultural weight here from a DJ's perspective: when you book an international act, you're not just filling a venue — you're telling the room who you are. D.C. United just booked a headliner.
Audi Field: Southwest DC's Stage for Global Football
Audi Field, located at 100 Potomac Ave SW in the Buzzard Point neighborhood, opened in 2018 and immediately became one of MLS's most intimate and electric venues. With a capacity of roughly 20,000, the stadium sits steps from the Anacostia River waterfront, offering sight lines that European scouts and MLS executives have consistently praised since its debut.
The venue has hosted high-profile international matches before, and according to Major League Soccer, clubs like D.C. United that invest in international friendlies see measurable bumps in season ticket renewals and merchandise revenue. Bringing Paderborn to Buzzard Point this September follows a smart blueprint — let the city experience world-class competition on home turf, then convert that energy into long-term fan loyalty.
For the District's growing German expat community — concentrated in areas like Woodley Park and Cleveland Park — this match is personal. Saturday morning Bundesliga watch parties at spots like Fado Irish Pub on Pennsylvania Ave are already a DC ritual. Seeing a Bundesliga side live at Audi Field? That's a different frequency entirely.
D.C. United's 2026 Season Context and What This Match Means
D.C. United enters September 2026 in the thick of the MLS Eastern Conference standings chase. International friendlies scheduled during the MLS calendar carry dual purpose: they test squad depth against unfamiliar tactical systems and serve as high-visibility auditions for players pushing for starting roles before the playoff push begins.
The Black-and-Red have been rebuilding methodically under their current technical staff, leaning into younger talent development and a more possession-oriented system. Facing Paderborn — a club known for its high-press, gegenpressing approach rooted in the German football tradition — will stress-test D.C.'s defensive shape and transition speed in ways that MLS opponents simply can't replicate.
This is the kind of fixture that separates clubs thinking locally from clubs thinking globally. For everything happening with DC's broader soccer culture, check out our DC Power Players Index and the DC Power Index for who's shaping this city's sports and culture landscape right now.
Why This Matters in Washington
Washington DC is a global city — 177 languages spoken, embassies from every corner of the world, and a diplomatic corps that follows football the way Capitol Hill follows C-SPAN. Bundesliga football carries specific weight here: Germany's embassy on Reservoir Road NW represents one of America's closest European allies, and the cultural connection between DC's international professional class and German football is real, deep, and underserved by the American sports calendar.
Beyond diplomacy, this match lands at the intersection of DC's sports identity and its nightlife and cultural energy. The pre-match corridor around Audi Field — the Wharf, Nationals Park, Buzzard Point bars — transforms on match nights into one of the city's most electric social scenes. A Bundesliga opponent cranks that voltage up significantly. Expect viewing parties, pop-up merchandise, and the kind of atmosphere that makes people who've never watched a soccer match in their lives suddenly care deeply about a result.
For context on DC's broader nightlife and event culture, WDCM's DC Nightlife Report tracks exactly how sporting events reshape the city's social geography — and September at Audi Field is going to hit different this year.
Per D.C. United's official website, ticket and event information will be released through the club's standard channels. Given Audi Field's intimate 20,000-seat capacity, sections are expected to move fast — especially with the Bundesliga brand attached.
FAQ: D.C. United vs. SC Paderborn 07 at Audi Field
When is D.C. United vs. SC Paderborn 07? The international friendly is scheduled for September 2026 at Audi Field in Southwest Washington, DC. A specific date within the month is expected to be confirmed by D.C. United via official club communications.
Where is Audi Field located? Audi Field is located at 100 Potomac Ave SW, Washington, DC 20024, in the Buzzard Point neighborhood near the Southwest Waterfront. It's accessible via the Navy Yard-Ballpark Metro station on the Green Line.
Who is SC Paderborn 07? SC Paderborn 07 is a professional football club based in Paderborn, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. The club competes in the Bundesliga ecosystem and is known for its aggressive pressing style and physicality.
How can I buy tickets for D.C. United vs. Paderborn? Tickets will be available through D.C. United's official website at dcunited.com. Season ticket holders typically receive priority access ahead of general public sales.
What is D.C. United's record at international friendlies at Audi Field? Audi Field has hosted several high-profile international competitions since opening in 2018. The venue's intimate atmosphere and proximity to Capitol Hill make it one of the most sought-after mid-sized soccer venues on the East Coast.
Why is D.C. United hosting a Bundesliga team? International friendlies against European competition serve multiple purposes: raising the club's global profile, stress-testing squad depth against different tactical systems, and generating significant fan engagement and revenue during the MLS season.
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What to Watch Next
The bottom line: D.C. United just put the city on notice. A Bundesliga side coming to Buzzard Point in September 2026 is exactly the kind of event that transcends the MLS faithful and pulls in the whole District — diplomats, soccer tourists, the Embassy Row crowd, and every expat who's been streaming Bundesliga highlights on Saturday mornings wishing they could see it live. Watch for the full match date announcement, ticket sale windows, and whether D.C. United uses this platform to unveil any roster moves heading into the MLS playoff stretch. The District is paying attention — and so is European football.
Stay locked in with The Circuit and Power Moves for the latest on DC sports, culture, and the events shaping this city's identity in 2026.
Reporting drawn from: D.C. United Official Announcement. Washington DC Magazine provides original analysis, DC-specific context, and editorial perspective beyond the source material.This article was produced with AI assistance and reviewed by WDCM editorial staff. Washington DC Magazine is committed to accuracy, transparency, and editorial integrity. If you believe any information in this article requires correction, please contact editor@washingtondcmagazine.com.
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CAN I KICK IT? screens New Jack City at the Sylvan Theater, Washington Monument, on Aug. 22. (Courtesy SHAOLIN JAZZ)
The live-cinema series CAN I KICK IT? returns to the National Mall this month with what its producers are calling the "Gangsters on the Mall" chapter of their free outdoor summer run. On Saturday, August 22, the SHAOLIN JAZZ production brings the 1991 crime classic New Jack City to the Sylvan Theater at the Washington Monument for a night of film, music, and community under the DC summer sky.
What sets the event apart is the sound. As the film plays, DJ 2-Tone Jones builds an original score in real time, reimagining one of the most iconic crime movies of the ’90s through hip-hop, soul, funk, and more. It is less a movie screening than a live performance built around the film.
The details:
Film: New Jack City (1991), with a live soundtrack by DJ 2-Tone Jones
When: Saturday, August 22 — seating opens at 7:30 p.m. (bring lawn chairs and blankets); film begins at 8:30 p.m.
Where: Sylvan Theater at the Washington Monument, Independence Ave SW & 15th St NW
A parking note from the organizers: expect road closures and restricted parking east of 14th Street NW due to a separate race event in the District. Roads west of 14th Street NW will be accessible and available for parking.
New Jack City is the second of three screenings in this year’s free CAN I KICK IT? outdoor series, which opened with Black Panther at Skyland Town Center and concludes with Scarface at the Lincoln Memorial on September 5. Produced by the Washington, DC-based multimedia arts company SHAOLIN JAZZ, the series has presented more than 150 live cinematic experiences at venues across the country, from Lincoln Center to SXSW.
"I wanted to be able to tell good stories with substance and remove the ‘ego’ out of the art," said Andrew Huang during a recent interview. Now, he’s building his career at the intersection of discipline, creativity and innovation.
Andrew Huang, founder of New Place Studios. (Courtesy photo)
As a Chinese American, Huang was reared with a deep respect for hard work, consistency and excellence. He describes his childhood as "not so affluent" and later attended college to hone his passion for videography. "In college I tried to do something I loved, which was video, but along the way I knew that I had to find a job. And so I thought, ‘what was the low hanging fruit to get to that stable 9 to 5 job?,’" he stated.
Later in life, Huang found himself working for corporations where his creativity was often limited, eventually leading to burnout. "I worked in a corporation for a long time and there were a lot of missing pieces. I wanted to fill in gaps missing in corporate video production," said Huang.
He later described how his upbringing and a mindset of "survival" led him toward a corporate career. However, his desire for balance and authentic storytelling ultimately pushed him to take the entrepreneurial leap.
"I founded a new place where you can create video and film with ‘substance and style,’" said Huang. His desire for work-life balance and passion for storytelling naturally evolved into a small business based in Virginia. With the launch of New Place Studios, the entrepreneur quickly found himself reconnecting with the values that would become the foundation of everything he creates behind the camera.
Huang said being a business owner has allowed him to first embrace himself. While others may see video as simply capturing moments, he sees it as a way to preserve stories that inspire, connect and leave a lasting imprint.
By combining cinematic visuals with cutting-edge production techniques and a keen understanding of branding, Huang helps organizations and individuals communicate their vision with purpose. He said understanding a client’s "why" serves as the compass for delivering the services they need.
One benefit of working with a small business, he said, is that clients get to see the production process unfold through a micro lens while working with the same faces throughout the entire project. "The work feels personal," said Huang.
Huang does not regret leaving behind the flash-over-substance mentality and corporate hustle culture. That does not mean the Asian American entrepreneur has been without challenges in the industry. "It’s relatively hard to find other Asian American creatives or people who would want to work with me in the DMV," said Huang.
He identifies the industry culture in which everyone is trying to blend in, creatives may fear displaying their Asian identity and some feel pressure to adopt an American corporate persona. He also points to what he describes as a level of gatekeeping within the industry. According to the U.S. Small Business Administration’s 2024 statistics, Asian American and Pacific Islander entrepreneurs own more than 3 million businesses and employ 5.2 million people in the United States.
After tapping into organizations such as SCORE, which offers free small business mentorship, New Place Studios has become a trusted creative partner throughout the DMV (Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia). The company produces a range of creative services, including commercials, corporate branding, documentaries, film, 2D animation, motion graphics and photography.
For Huang, entrepreneurship has become more than a departure from corporate life. It has given him the freedom to create with intention, build meaningful connections and tell stories that go beyond the surface.
The 2026 CAN I KICK IT? outdoor series. Poster courtesy of SHAOLIN JAZZ.
For three Saturdays this summer, some of Washington’s most familiar public spaces will do something they rarely do after dark: fill up with blankets, lawn chairs, and the sound of a movie being scored live, in real time. CAN I KICK IT?, the traveling “live cinema” series produced by the DC-based multimedia arts company SHAOLIN JAZZ, is bringing a free outdoor run to the city — pairing three era-defining films with an original soundtrack performed on the spot by DJ 2-Tone Jones.
The premise is what sets it apart from a normal screening in the park. Rather than simply pressing play, 2-Tone Jones builds a score as the film unfolds, pulling from hip-hop, soul, funk, jazz, rock, electronic music, and sounds from around the world. The result, the organizers say, is less a movie night than a one-time performance — the same film you know, wired to a soundtrack you have never heard and will not hear again. Guest DJs warm up the crowd starting at 7:30 PM before each 8:30 PM screening.
The 2026 outdoor schedule
All three events are free and open to the public.
Saturday, August 8 — Black Panther at Skyland Town Center. A pop-up marketplace and community activities kick off the evening; guest DJs at 7:30 PM, film at 8:30 PM. Marvel’s superhero epic gets a one-night-only live score in Southeast DC.
Saturday, August 22 — New Jack City at the Sylvan Theater, Washington Monument. Seating begins at 7:30 PM; the film starts at 8:30 PM. The 1991 crime drama plays out at the foot of one of the country’s most recognizable landmarks.
Saturday, September 5 — Scarface at the Lincoln Memorial. Seating at 7:30 PM; film at 8:30 PM. The series closes with Brian De Palma’s crime saga against the backdrop of the Memorial, scored live from start to finish.
First up: Black Panther at Skyland Town Center on August 8. Poster courtesy of SHAOLIN JAZZ.
A DC company with a national footprint
SHAOLIN JAZZ describes itself as a Washington-based arts company working at the intersection of music, film, art, and culture, and CAN I KICK IT? is its signature production. According to the organizers, the series has staged more than 150 live cinematic experiences around the country — at performing arts centers, museums, festivals, and cultural institutions including Lincoln Center in New York, SXSW, the Denver Center for the Performing Arts, Republic Square in Austin, the Tacoma Armory, and The Cary Theater.
“CAN I KICK IT? has always been about creating a shared experience,” said Gerald Watson, co-founder of SHAOLIN JAZZ. “When you combine iconic films with live music in public spaces, something special happens. People aren’t just watching a movie — they’re experiencing it together. That’s what makes these nights so memorable.”
Cinema as a community event
The DC run lands as cities across the country look for new ways to activate public space through arts and culture — and this series is a straightforward pitch for how to do it: take a landmark everyone already knows, add a film everyone has an opinion about, and let a live soundtrack turn the evening into something neighbors experience shoulder to shoulder. Families, film buffs, and music fans are all invited, and admission won’t cost a thing.
The CAN I KICK IT? outdoor series runs August 8, August 22, and September 5. All events are free; check SHAOLIN JAZZ (shaolinjazz.com) for the latest details and any weather updates before heading out.
