Community Impact
Community Impact
1000+
$2 million
7,332
At the heart of the St. Elizabeths East neighborhood, the CareFirst Arena in Washington, DC's Ward 8 is designed to be a communal and welcoming space for local residents and the greater community. In partnership with Events DC and the St. Elizabeths community, CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield (CareFirst) is proud to invest $2 million in direct support to local programming over the next decade.
Grocery Giveaway
CareFirst Arena opened in February 2025 with a community-focused event. It wasn’t just a standard ribbon cutting ceremony. We were proud to work with our local partners to provide groceries to more than 350 community members, addressing immediate food needs while marking the start of the arena’s role as a neighborhood resource.
"We’ve said all along that the arena is bigger than basketball. This is about keeping our promises to the Ward 8 community and to DC residents, and that’s what we will continue to do in this new chapter as the CareFirst Arena," said Mayor Muriel Bowser. We are grateful to CareFirst for their commitment to Washington, DC and for partnering with local organizations that serve Ward 8 and create new opportunities for our community.
Jordan Brand Classic: DC Tip-Off Community Experience
In April 2025, CareFirst Arena, Events DC, and community hub Sycamore & Oak hosted the Jordan Brand Classic: DC Tip-Off Community Experience. The event welcomed 700 families to a day of fun, including the Hoops Bus, live music, craft stations and delicious food and drink. The experience capped off with the Jordan Brand Classic, bringing together a national sports event and a community celebration in the same space.
“Health is personal, but it also connects us all,” said Ricardo Johnson, Executive Vice President at CareFirst. “By coming together with our community partners, we’re meeting people where they are and creating experiences that inspire healthier living. Real change happens when communities feel supported, informed and united around their well-being.”
CareFirst Field and Day of Play
In April 2025, CareFirst Field was officially unveiled at Day of Play at RFK, creating a dynamic and immersive environment that focused on CareFirst’s commitment to supporting the health and wellbeing of District residents through exercise and play. More than nearly 7,000 children and caregivers came out for a day full of free activities, sports and health refreshments.
"Events DC’s mission is to create unique experiences that result in jobs, economic impact and lasting memories for residents, tourists and guests," said Events DC President and CEO Angie M. Gates. A major part of achieving our mission is building connections between businesses and Washington, DC communities. CareFirst is an industry leader who thoughtfully engages with communities to improve everyone’s overall health and well-being. I look forward to our partnership and what we will accomplish together in the District.
Community Health Fair
In October 2025, CareFirst and Events DC hosted the first Community Health Fair at CareFirst Arena. The event brought together trusted community organizations and healthcare professionals to offer health screenings and information on diabetes, heart disease and chronic kidney disease. Hundreds of DC residents attended the event. Services included free flu shots, biometric screenings, glucose tests and cholesterol checks. The Experience Band set the tone for the day, bringing the energy of Go-go to the event.
And this is just the start.
CareFirst Arena is thrilled to work with local organizations to create and expand initiatives centered on workforce development, maternal health, food insecurity and other critical issues impacting residents’ quality of life—particularly residents East of the River.
CareFirst Arena is the proud home of:
