Capital One Arena opened on December 2, 1997, as the MCI Center in the Penn Quarter neighborhood of Washington, D.C., situated directly above the Gallery Place Metro station. Built at a cost of $260 million and designed by Ellerbe Becket in partnership with Devrouaux & Purnell, the arena immediately became the center of gravity for downtown DC’s sports and entertainment scene.
Today the 20,356-seat venue is home to three teams — the NBA’s Washington Wizards, the NHL’s Washington Capitals, and the Georgetown Hoyas men’s basketball program. Since opening, the arena has hosted more than 4,500 events and drawn over 47 million visitors, including the Capitals’ historic 2018 Stanley Cup championship run.
Stats at a Glance
- Location: 601 F Street NW, Washington, D.C. (Penn Quarter)
- Opened: December 2, 1997
- Capacity (Basketball): 20,356
- Capacity (Hockey): 18,573
- Home Teams: Washington Capitals (NHL), Washington Wizards (NBA), Georgetown Hoyas (NCAA)
- Construction Cost: $260 million
- Naming Rights: Capital One (since 2017)
A History of Big Moments
Capital One Arena has carried two previous names — MCI Center through 2006, then Verizon Center until 2017 — but its reputation for landmark events remained constant throughout. The arena hosted the Stanley Cup Finals in 1998 and again in 2018, serving as the site of Games 3 and 4 before the Capitals claimed their first-ever championship with a decisive Game 5 road victory in Las Vegas. It also staged NCAA tournament games, the 2003 World Figure Skating Championships, and headline concerts from some of the world’s biggest touring acts.
Beyond marquee sports, the arena averaged roughly 220 events per year, making it one of the busiest indoor venues on the East Coast. Its location atop the Gallery Place Metro stop gave it one of the most accessible footprints of any major arena in the country, drawing fans from across the DC metro area without requiring a car.
A Major Renovation on the Horizon
Capital One Arena began an ambitious $850 million renovation in 2024, with $515 million funded by the District of Columbia government and the remainder contributed by owner Monumental Sports & Entertainment. The project is expected to be completed before the 2027–28 NHL and NBA seasons, modernizing the facility while preserving its role as Washington’s premier indoor venue.
The scale of the investment reflects the arena’s cultural weight in the city. Since its opening, the Penn Quarter neighborhood grew up around the building, and the renovation is designed to ensure the arena anchors that neighborhood for another generation of fans and events.
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Capital One Arena FAQs
What teams play at Capital One Arena?
Capital One Arena is home to the Washington Capitals (NHL), the Washington Wizards (NBA), and the Georgetown Hoyas men’s basketball team (NCAA).
When did Capital One Arena open?
The arena opened on December 2, 1997, originally under the name MCI Center.
Is Capital One Arena being renovated?
Yes. An $850 million renovation began in 2024 and is expected to wrap up before the 2027–28 NHL and NBA seasons, with major funding from the District of Columbia government.
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Photo: APK / CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.