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PerformersIconic
G-Wiz Entertainment
Mascot G-Wiz keeps the crowd engaged with comedy routines, dance contests, and interactive skits.
7.5Passport Score
1997Opened
20,356Capacity
IndoorRoof
Hardwood / Artificial IceSurface
1Check-ins
The basics
About Capital One Arena
Downtown DC arena known for major sports and entertainment events.
- Type
- arena
- League
- NCAAB
- Nicknames
- The Phone Booth, Cap One
- Location
- Washington, DC
- Time zone
- America/New York
- Status
- active
FormerlyMCI Center, Verizon Center, Capital One CenterMCI CenterVerizon CenterCapital One Center
Rated by fans
How fans rate it
7.5Passport Score
0 fan ratings · 1 check-ins
Atmosphere—
Attractions—
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Concessions—
Neighborhood—
Facility—
Don’t miss
Landmarks, traditions & experiences
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Crowd ChantsIconic
DC Drumline
The Wizards drumline performs throughout the game, leading chants and energizing the crowd.
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Special EventsIconic
Cherry Blossom Games
Each season, the Wizards celebrate Washington, D.C.'s famous cherry blossom season with themed uniforms, court designs, and fan experiences.
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Crowd RitualIconic
Unleash the Fury
Before every home game, a celebrity or former player appears on the video board yelling "UNLEASH THE FURY!" before the team takes the ice.
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Crowd ChantIconic
"Ovi! Ovi!" Chant
Whenever Alex Ovechkin scores or makes a spectacular play, fans chant "Ovi! Ovi!" throughout the arena.
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Crowd ChantIconic
"All Caps! Caps! Caps!" Chant
The Capitals' signature crowd chant features repeated "Caps! Caps! Caps!" responses throughout games.
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Goal SongIconic
"Shake, Rattle & Roll" Goal Song
Following Capitals goals, the arena erupts with the goal horn and "Shake, Rattle & Roll," one of the franchise's long-standing goal celebrations.
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Championship BannersIconic
1978 NBA Championship
1978 NBA championship — Unseld, Hayes, and the Bullets' title in Washington.
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Championship BannersIconic
2018 Stanley Cup Championship
2018 Stanley Cup championship — Ovechkin, Backstrom, and 44 years of waiting ended.
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Historic displayIconic
Alex Ovechkin Legacy
Alex Ovechkin — the Great Eight, NHL goals leader, and face of Capitals hockey.
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Historic displayIconic
Braden Holtby Legacy
Braden Holtby — Vezina Trophy winner and goaltender of the 2018 Stanley Cup run.
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Historic displayIconic
Capitals vs Penguins Rivalry
Capitals vs Penguins rivalry — Crosby vs Ovechkin and Metro hatred at its peak.
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Historic displayIconic
Capitals vs Rangers Rivalry
Capitals vs Rangers rivalry — Metro battles and playoff wars in Washington.
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Historic displayIconic
Franchise Timeline
Complete Capitals franchise timeline from 1974 to the 2018 Cup and beyond.
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Historic displayIconic
Gilbert Arenas Legacy
Gilbert Arenas — Agent Zero and the most electric scorer in Wizards history.
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Historic displayIconic
Greatest Capitals Moments
The greatest moments in Capitals history — from the Ovechkin draft to the 2018 parade.
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Historic displayIconic
John Wall Legacy
John Wall — franchise star and face of the modern Wizards era in DC.
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Historic displayIconic
Michael Jordan Wizards Era
Michael Jordan Wizards era — the GOAT's final chapter on the Capital One Arena court.
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Historic displayIconic
Nicklas Backstrom Legacy
Nicklas Backstrom — franchise assists leader and Ovechkin's lifelong linemate.
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Historic displayIconic
Ovechkin Goal Chase
Ovechkin goal chase — every milestone on the road to the NHL's all-time goals record.
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Historic displayIconic
Peter Bondra Legacy
Peter Bondra — franchise scoring legend and Capitals icon of the 1990s.
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Historic displayIconic
Rock the Red History
Rock the Red history — the crimson tradition that defines ALL CAPS fandom.
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Historic displayIconic
Rod Langway Legacy
Rod Langway — Norris Trophy winner and defensive anchor of early Capitals success.
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Historic displayIconic
Washington Bullets History
Washington Bullets history — from Baltimore to the 1978 NBA championship.
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Historic displayIconic
Washington Hockey History
Washington hockey history — from expansion to Ovechkin and Rock the Red culture.
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Historic displayIconic
Wes Unseld Legacy
Wes Unseld — MVP, champion, and the soul of Washington Bullets basketball.
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Hall of FameIconic
Wizards Hall of Fame
Wizards Hall of Fame — franchise immortals from Unseld to Wall honored in DC.
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MascotIconic
Slapshot
Slapshot — the beloved Capitals mascot and symbol of ALL CAPS on gameday.
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Alumni EventIconic
Capitals Alumni Appearances
Capitals alumni appearances honoring franchise legends on gameday.
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Historic displayIconic
Bullets History
Visit the Bullets history display — Unseld, Hayes, and the 1978 NBA championship.
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Special EventIconic
Capital One Arena
Your first time walking into Capital One Arena — Ovechkin, Bullets legacy, and downtown DC.
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TourIconic
Capital One Arena Tour
Behind-the-scenes Capital One Arena tour — suites, court, ice, and championship history.
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Rivalry GameIconic
Capitals vs Flyers
Mid-Atlantic rivalry when Philadelphia visits Capital One Arena.
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Rivalry GameIconic
Capitals vs Penguins
The greatest rivalry in the Metro when Pittsburgh visits Capital One Arena.
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Rivalry GameIconic
Capitals vs Rangers
Metropolitan Division rivalry when New York visits Capital One Arena.
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Entertainment DistrictIconic
Chinatown
Explore Chinatown before the game — F Street, Capitol One Arena, and gameday energy in DC.
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ConcertIconic
Concert at Capital One Arena
Attend a major concert at Capital One Arena — DC entertainment beyond gamedays.
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Special EventIconic
DC Basketball Culture
Experience DC basketball culture — Bullets legacy and Wiz Nation on gameday.
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Special EventIconic
Eastern Conference Final
Eastern Conference Final at Capital One Arena — the pinnacle of Capitals hockey.
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Special EventIconic
First Capitals Game at Capital One Arena
Your first Capitals game at Capital One Arena — Ovi, Rock the Red, and DC hockey pride.
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Special EventIconic
First Wizards Game at Capital One Arena
Your first Wizards game at Capital One Arena — DC basketball pride in downtown Chinatown.
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Historic displayIconic
Gilbert Arenas Exhibit
Visit the Gilbert Arenas exhibit — Agent Zero and the most electric scorer in Wizards history.
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Historic displayIconic
John Wall Exhibit
Visit the John Wall exhibit — franchise star and face of the modern Wizards era.
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Historic displayIconic
Ovechkin Exhibit
Visit the Ovechkin exhibit — the Great Eight and NHL goals leader immortalized in DC.
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Crowd RitualIconic
Participate in Rock the Red
Participate in Rock the Red — the crimson wave that defines ALL CAPS fandom.
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Special EventIconic
Stanley Cup Final Game
Stanley Cup Final at Capital One Arena — hockey's greatest stage in Washington.
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Special EventIconic
Throwback Night
Attend a throwback night — Bullets jerseys and DC basketball history at Capital One Arena.
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Rivalry GameIconic
Wizards vs Celtics
Historic rivalry when Boston visits Capital One Arena.
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Rivalry GameIconic
Wizards vs Heat
Eastern Conference rivalry when Miami visits Capital One Arena.
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Rivalry GameIconic
Wizards vs Knicks
East Coast rivalry when New York visits Capital One Arena.
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Historic displayIconic
Bradley Beal Era
Bradley Beal era — franchise scoring leader before the next chapter in DC.
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Historic displayIconic
Elvin Hayes Legacy
Elvin Hayes — the Big E and Hall of Fame cornerstone of Bullets history.
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Historic displayIconic
Greatest Wizards Moments
The greatest moments in Wizards history — from the Bullets title to Agent Zero.
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Historic displayIconic
Mike Gartner Legacy
Mike Gartner — Hall of Fame scorer and one of the greatest Capitals ever.
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Live PerformanceIconic
Wiz Kids Entertainment
Wiz Kids entertainment energizing Capital One Arena between quarters.
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Live PerformanceIconic
Halftime Entertainment
Halftime entertainment at Capital One Arena — music, performances, and DC pride.
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Alumni EventIconic
Wizards Alumni Appearances
Wizards alumni appearances honoring franchise legends on gameday.
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Fan FestivalMust see
F Street Pregame Events
F Street pregame events outside Capital One Arena in downtown Chinatown.
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Architecture
Gallery Place Entrance
Gallery Place entrance tying Capital One Arena to Chinatown and the Metro.
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Architecture
Metro Accessible Arena
Direct access to Washington's transportation system.
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Architecture
Multi-Sport Arena Home
Shared with the Washington Capitals.
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Displays
Championship Timeline
Timeline of Bullets/Wizards championship history.
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History
2018 Stanley Cup
Celebrates Washington's first championship.
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History
Alex Ovechkin
Celebrates the franchise's greatest goal scorer.
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Displays
Bullets Legacy Displays
Displays on the Baltimore/Washington Bullets era, including 1978.
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History
Capital Centre
Connects with the former home of the franchise.
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History
Capitals Legends
Honors franchise icons.
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History
Elvin Hayes
Honors the franchise great.
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History
Peter Bondra
Honors the Capitals scoring legend.
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History
Washington Capitals Retired Numbers
Honors Bondra, Ovechkin, and other legends.
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History
Washington Wizards Retired Numbers
Honors Unseld, Hayes, and other legends.
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History
Wes Unseld
Celebrates the Hall of Fame center.
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Experience
Alex Ovechkin Era
Celebrates the modern franchise era.
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Experience
Capitals Store
Official merchandise destination.
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Experience
Courtside Celebrity
Highlights Washington's entertainment connections.
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Experience
D.C. Hockey
Combines NHL hockey with the nation's capital culture.
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Displays
DC Heritage Displays
Displays on Washington, D.C. civic and sports heritage.
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Experience
G-Wiz
The mascot experience.
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Experience
Goal Horn
The Capitals scoring celebration.
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Experience
Rock the Red
The famous Capitals fan identity.
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Experience
Washington Basketball
Combines NBA basketball with D.C. culture.
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Experience
Washington Capitals Stadium Tours
Behind-the-scenes arena access.
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Experience
Washington Wizards Stadium Tours
Behind-the-scenes arena access.
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Experience
Wizards Store
Official merchandise destination.
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Displays
Ovechkin Tribute
Tribute to Alex Ovechkin — the NHL’s all-time goals leader and 2018 Cup captain.
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Displays
Stanley Cup Display
Display celebrating the Capitals’ 2018 Stanley Cup championship.
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Displays
Monumental Sports Exhibit
Exhibit on Monumental Sports & Entertainment's D.C. teams.
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Displays
Capitals Hall of Fame
Honors Capitals greats from Gartner and Langway through Ovechkin’s Cup team.
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Displays
Team Legacy Wall
Wall on Wizards franchise legacy.
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Displays
DC Hockey Heritage
Displays on hockey in Washington, from the Cap Centre to Capital One Arena.
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Displays
Championship Exhibit
Championship exhibit covering the 2018 Cup run and conference titles.
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Signature
Capital Plaza
The plaza outside Capital One Arena in Chinatown — DC’s hockey gathering space.
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Displays
Washington Basketball History
Exhibits on Washington basketball from the Bullets through the Wizards.
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Historic Marker
Fan Plaza
Fan plaza outside Capital One Arena.
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Crowd Ritual
Hoya Saxa
The historic "Hoya Saxa!" chant echoes throughout Capital One Arena and McDonough Arena during home games.
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Crowd Ritual
Hoya Blue
The student section proudly wears Hoya Blue while leading chants throughout the contest.
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Special Event
Theme Nights
Special theme nights throughout the Capitals and Wizards seasons at Capital One Arena.
Through the years
History
Names
- 1997-2006MCI Center
- 2006-2017Verizon Center
- 2017-presentCapital One Arena
- Former nameMCI Center
- Former nameVerizon Center
- Former nameCapital One Center
Home teams
- 1997-presentWashington WizardsNBA
- 1997-presentWashington CapitalsNHL
- Georgetown HoyasNCAAB
Getting there
Plan your visit
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