Step Inside: Capital One Arena – Home of the Wizards, Capitals

Home of the Washington Wizards & Washington Capitals

Capital One Arena is home to the NBA’s Washington Wizards and the Washington Capitals of the NHL. Located at 601 F Street NW, the arena is a vital centerpiece of Washington D.C.’s Penn Quarter neighborhood.

The venue is also the arena used by Georgetown Hoyas men’s basketball team. Over the years, it’s also been home to the WNBA’s Washington Mystics (from 1998 to 2018), the now-defunct Washington Power of the National Lacrosse League (2001-2002) and the Arena Football League’s Washington Valor (2017-2019).

Below, take a step into Capital One Arena, including the stadium’s history, parking and admission, and capacity and seating options, as well as food and beverage options inside the arena.

Capital One Arena History

Capital One Arena opened as the MCI Center on December 2, 1997. That day, the Washington Wizards played their first home game in the arena, beating the Seattle SuperSonics with then-President Bill Clinton in attendance.

Meanwhile, the Washington Capitals played their first game three days later, on December 5, 1997, against the Florida Panthers. When the Capitals reached the Stanley Cup playoffs in 1998, games three and four were hosted at the arena.

Originally, the arena included several unique spaces: a 25,000-square-foot Discovery Channel Store, which was open from 1998 to 2001, the MCI National Sports Gallery and the American Sportscasters Hall of Fame. In 2004, Gallery Place also opened a 14-screen theater as part of the arena complex.

As MCI Arena, the complex hosted the 2001 NBA All-Star Game. In January 2006, MCI was acquired by Verizon, with the arena being renamed Verizon Arena. Later that year, VIDA Fitness opened its first location in the arena, which remained open through the spring of 2024. In 2007, the arena’s scoreboard was upgraded to an indoor, high-definition LED model.

By the spring of 2015, Verizon opted not to renew its contract to keep its name on the arena. As such, in 2017, the naming rights were purchased by Capital One Financial Corporation and the venue was rechristened to its current name. During the 2017 season, the Wizards also won their first division title in nearly four decades.

The arena once again hosted multiple games of the Stanley Cup Final in 2018 on the way to the Capitals taking home their first Stanley Cup against the Vegas Golden Knights in a five-game series. The victory marked the first major championship by a D.C.-area team in more than 25 years.

From 2019 to 2020, Capital One Arena underwent a major renovation that included replacing seating in the arena, adding overhead video boards, a SkyRing video screen, making improvements to the concourse and changing many of the dining options available.

In 2020, the first sportsbook to open inside a professional sports arena in the country was added to the venue by William Hill.

Other major events that have taken place in the arena’s history include multiple games of the NCAA March Madness tournament, regular match-ups between the Harlem Globetrotters and Washington Generals, the 2003 World Figure Skating Championships, Mike Tyson’s final non-exhibition professional boxing match against Kevin McBride in 2005, the 2009 NCAA Frozen Four, the 2016 Kellogg’s Tour of Gymnastics Champions, more than two decades of the Washington International Horse Show through 2019, the 2024 Capital Hockey Classic, the indoor parade of Donald Trump’s second presidential inauguration in 2025 and more.

Parking and Admission at Capital One Arena

Capital One Arena has partnered with SpotHero to provide guaranteed prepaid parking at lots and parking garages with walking distance from the venue throughout downtown Washington D.C.

The arena is also accessible via D.C.’s Metro at the Gallery Place/Chinatown Metro stop and is within walking distance from other stations like Judiciary Square, Metro Center and Archives-Navy Memorial Penn Quarter.

Capital One Arena Capacity & Seating Options

Capital One Arena has a total capacity of 20,356 divided between a 100 level, 200 level and 400 level, as well as boxes with amenities on the 300 level and the Ultra Club. For concerts, the arena adds additional floor seating. Check out a seating chart of the venue for more details.

How much are Washington Wizards tickets?

Ticket prices for Washington Wizards games depend on a variety of factors, including date and time, city, matchup, seat location, and when the tickets are purchased. The average ticket for a Washington Wizards game can cost anywhere between $100-$200.

How much are Washington Capitals tickets?

Ticket prices for Washington Capitals games depend on a variety of factors, including date and time, city, matchup, seat location, and when the tickets are purchased. The average ticket for a Washington Capitals game can cost anywhere between $100-$200.

Food & Beverage Options at Capital One Arena

Capital One Arena offers a wide array of food and beverage options, with Capital One cardholders receiving a special 10% discount at checkout. Food and beverage vendors include Jerk at Nite, Pho Wheels, Kong Dog, Little Miner Taco, Astro Doughnuts, Federal Favorites, District Grill, Loop & Kernel, Rita’s Italian Ice, Tenders Love & Chicken, Fuku, Pat & Stuggs, Midnight Treats, Little Hot Chicken, Devils Backbone, Beeliner Diner, Jack Daniel’s Bar, F St Grand Bar, DC Cocktail, Pop & Pour, Stella Drink MKT, and Next Round.