Capital One Arena
The District of Columbia purchased the land between 6th and 7th Streets in 1973. This block held a mix of residences and small businesses before urban decay set in by the 1960s. Capital Landmark Associates received the development contract in 1979 for a mixed-use complex. Most remaining buildings on the site were demolished in 1985. The project languished for many years until it was finally canceled in 1992.
Abe Pollin began studying options to move his teams to a new arena in December 1993. He owned both the Capitals and the Washington Bullets at that time. A group of business leaders brokered a deal with the District government to build an arena at the Gallery Place site. The District agreed to pay $150 million for the initial project. Robert Johnson later offered to build the arena with mostly private financing instead.
Pollin eventually agreed to privately fund the construction of the building. The final cost came to $200 million. The District paid for other costs including purchasing land and expanding the Metro station, which amounted to $79 million. The groundbreaking ceremony took place in October 1995. The arena opened on the 2nd of December 1997 as the MCI Center.
MCI Communications struck a naming rights deal to name the arena the MCI Center. Verizon Communications purchased MCI in January 2006. The arena's name changed accordingly to Verizon Center that same year. VIDA Fitness opened its first location in the arena during 2006.
In May 2015, reports emerged that Verizon would not renew its naming rights agreement ending in 2018. Etihad Airways signed a deal to become the official airline of the arena in the same week. On the 9th of August 2017, Capital One bank purchased the rights. The venue was renamed Capital One Arena.
Etihad Airways remained the official airline until October 2024 when United Airlines became the new partner. A block of F Street NW outside the arena was declared Fun Street upon opening. This block later became Abe Pollin Way in 2007. Gallery Place movie theater opened at the arena in 2004 with 14 screens.
The Washington Capitals have played home games at the facility since its opening on the 2nd of December 1997. The team lost to the Detroit Red Wings in four games during the 1998 Stanley Cup Finals. Game two of the 2009 Eastern Conference semifinals featured dueling hat tricks from Alexander Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby. Washington won that game 4, 3 thanks to an additional goal by David Steckel.
The Capitals captured their first major championship for a D.C. team in 2018 after winning the Stanley Cup. They installed their Stanley Cup banner before the next season began on the 3rd of October 2018. On the 4th of April 2025, Ovechkin scored goals 893 and 894 against the Chicago Blackhawks. Wayne Gretzky and commissioner Gary Bettman attended this historic tie.
The Wizards NBA team has called the venue home since 1997. The Washington Mystics WNBA team played there from 1998 until 2018. Georgetown University men's basketball team also plays at the arena. The venue hosted three basketball all-star games including the 2001 NBA All-Star Game.
Beyoncé performed at the arena alongside Destiny's Child and Alicia Keys. Paul McCartney and Queen both appeared on stage during the facility's history. Taylor Swift and Billie Eilish have headlined concerts here. The Three Tenors gave a performance at the location.
Mike Tyson fought Kevin McBride in his final non-exhibition fight on the 11th of June 2005. WWE Capitol Punishment took place on the 19th of June 2011 featuring John Cena and CM Punk. UFC Live: Cruz vs. Johnson was held at the arena on the 1st of October 2011.
The first ever episode of Dynamite aired on the 2nd of October 2019. This marked the weekly television series debut for All Elite Wrestling. The Harlem Globetrotters play in the arena annually against the Washington Generals. The 2003 World Figure Skating Championships were hosted within these walls.
When the arena opened, there was concern about displacing Chinese businesses and culture from Chinatown. The local Chinese-American population numbered over 3,000 before construction began. By 2023 that number had dropped to just 300 residents remaining in the area.
Most Chinese-owned restaurants and businesses are gone from the neighborhood today. There has not been a full-service Chinese grocery store since 2005. Real estate prices spiked dramatically after the facility opened. Small businesses serving the Asian-American community were replaced by national chains.
A similar stadium project proposed for Philadelphia's Chinatown sparked comparisons in 2023. That proposal caused significant community backlash prior to its cancellation. The surrounding area has indeed been dramatically gentrified due to the arena's presence.
Capitals captain Chris Clark stated in December 2007 that the arena had the worst ice in the NHL. He described the surface as soft and wet half the time with many ruts. Players feared injuries could cost them their jobs because of the poor conditions.
The District installed additional portable refrigeration units outside during playoff games. This helped aid ice conditions during warm and humid summer months. Complaints have noticeably decreased since Ted Leonsis acquired the facility. The quality of the ice has improved significantly over two decades.
Arena technology was powered by virtual LAN software called ArenaNET from Cabletron Systems. A new overhead video board was added during renovations in 2019. A SkyRing video screen now goes around the top of the arena. VIDA Fitness announced they would close their Gallery Place location in May 2024.
Monumental Sports undertook a $30 million renovation project in 2019 and 2020. This included completely replacing all seating throughout the venue. The concourse received improvements while dining options were altered for fans.
A multi-year $850 million capital improvement project is currently underway. $515 million comes from the District of Columbia government. Monumental Sports and Entertainment pays for the rest of the costs. The renovation will change both exterior and interior elements.
The project aims to be completed by the start of the 2027-2028 NHL and NBA seasons. Six phases will alter the building's structure and fan experience. Washington D.C. mayor Muriel Bowser signed a deal with Ted Leonsis to keep teams until at least 2050. The indoor parade of Donald Trump's second inauguration took place on the 20th of January 2025.
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Common questions
When did the Capital One Arena open and what was its original name?
The arena opened on the 2nd of December 1997 as the MCI Center. The District of Columbia purchased the land between 6th and 7th Streets in 1973 before the project began construction.
Who owns the Capital One Arena and when did it get renamed from Verizon Center?
Capital One bank purchased the naming rights on the 9th of August 2017 to rename the venue Capital One Arena. Verizon Communications had owned the naming rights since January 2006 after purchasing MCI Communications.
What major sports teams play home games at the Capital One Arena?
The Washington Capitals have played home games at the facility since its opening on the 2nd of December 1997. The Wizards NBA team has called the venue home since 1997 while the Washington Mystics WNBA team played there from 1998 until 2018.
How many Chinese residents lived near the Capital One Arena by 2023 compared to before construction?
By 2023 that number had dropped to just 300 residents remaining in the area. The local Chinese-American population numbered over 3,000 before construction began.
When will the $850 million renovation project for the Capital One Arena be completed?
The project aims to be completed by the start of the 2027-2028 NHL and NBA seasons. Six phases will alter the building's structure and fan experience with funding split between the District government and Monumental Sports.