Washington Wizards
Venue and travel guide
Venue and location
Address
601 F Street NW
Source statement; not independently verified.
City
Washington
Source statement; not independently verified.
Notes
Owned/operated by Monumental Sports & Entertainment (MSE). Shared with the NHL's Washington Capitals. After a proposed 2024 move to Potomac Yard in Alexandria, VA collapsed, the Wizards and Capitals signed a deal to remain at Capital One Arena through 2050, with DC contributing ~$515M toward a major modernization. A roughly $800M–$1B phased renovation is underway (2024–2027) with the fully modernized arena targeted for the 2027–28 NBA/NHL seasons
Source statement; not independently verified.
Phone
(202) 628-3200
Source statement; not independently verified.
State
DC
Source statement; not independently verified.
Venue name
Capital One Arena
Source statement; not independently verified.
Zip code
20004
Source statement; not independently verified.
Parking
Cheapest
Garages/lots a few blocks from the arena (~$10) and pre-booking via apps like SpotHero; Metro is generally cheaper than driving
Source statement; not independently verified.
Guide url
https://www.capitalonearena.com/directions-parking
Source statement; not independently verified.
Accessible parking
ADA-accessible parking available in the connected Gallery Place Garage and nearby garages; contact arena/Accessible Seating & Services for guidance
Source statement; not independently verified.
Overnight
Some nearby commercial garages allow overnight parking at posted rates; not offered as an arena program
Source statement; not independently verified.
Payment
Credit/debit cards and mobile parking apps (cashless preferred); pre-paid online passes accepted
Source statement; not independently verified.
Prepaid
Yes — pre-purchase online (via the arena parking portal and third parties like SpotHero) is recommended to guarantee a spot on game days
Source statement; not independently verified.
Prices
Roughly $20–$40 depending on proximity and event; lots a few blocks away can be found for as low as ~$10
Source statement; not independently verified.
Public transport
Arena sits directly atop Gallery Place–Chinatown Metro station (Red, Green, Yellow lines); strongly recommended over driving
Source statement; not independently verified.
Tailgating
N/A — indoor downtown arena with no tailgating; no surface tailgate lots
Source statement; not independently verified.
Traffic
Downtown DC congestion around F, G, H and 6th–7th Streets NW pre/post event; I-395, I-295 and the 3rd Street Tunnel approaches back up on event nights
Source statement; not independently verified.
Types
Public garages and surface lots in the surrounding Penn Quarter/Chinatown area; the Gallery Place Garage is directly connected to the arena
Source statement; not independently verified.
Public transportation
Airport connection
Reagan National (DCA) connects via Metro Yellow/Blue lines to Gallery Place; Dulles (IAD) via Silver Line + transfer; BWI via MARC/Amtrak to Union Station then Metro Red Line
Source statement; not independently verified.
App
WMATA Metro app / wmata.com, plus Moovit, Transit, and Google/Apple Maps for real-time arrivals
Source statement; not independently verified.
Best option
Metrorail to Gallery Place–Chinatown — the arena is built directly above the station
Source statement; not independently verified.
Bus routes
Multiple WMATA Metrobus lines serve nearby stops (historically 70, 74, 79, X2, P6, X9, 80, D6 and others); note WMATA's 2025 network redesign renamed many routes (e.g., D-prefixed downtown routes). Verify current route letters/numbers via WMATA before travel
Source statement; not independently verified.
Fare
WMATA SmarTrip card or mobile SmarTrip (Apple/Google Wallet); Metrorail fares are distance-based, Metrobus a flat fare (~$2). DC Circulator routes have been discontinued/transitioned — verify current downtown bus options
Source statement; not independently verified.
Ferry
N/A — no direct ferry service to the arena (DC Water Taxi serves The Wharf/Georgetown/Old Town, not Penn Quarter)
Source statement; not independently verified.
Nearest station
Gallery Place–Chinatown Metro station — directly beneath/adjacent to the arena (about a 1–3 minute walk)
Source statement; not independently verified.
Rail lines
WMATA Metrorail Red, Green, and Yellow lines. (Metro Center, Red/Blue/Orange/Silver, is also a short walk away.)
Source statement; not independently verified.
Tips
Buy/load SmarTrip in advance; check WMATA advisories for weekend track work that can affect Red Line/Gallery Place; post-game trains are crowded, so allow a few minutes
Source statement; not independently verified.
Walking distance
Gallery Place–Chinatown station exits open directly at the arena (under ~1 block)
Source statement; not independently verified.
Shuttles
Accessibility
N/A — no regular official shuttle; Metro and accessible rideshare are primary options
Source statement; not independently verified.
Cost
N/A — no regular official shuttle (WMATA replacement shuttles are free when operating)
Source statement; not independently verified.
Dropoff
N/A — no regular official shuttle
Source statement; not independently verified.
Frequency
N/A — no regular official shuttle
Source statement; not independently verified.
Notes
Best practice is to use Metro directly to Gallery Place–Chinatown rather than a shuttle
Source statement; not independently verified.
Operator
WMATA (only for occasional Metro maintenance replacement service)
Source statement; not independently verified.
Park ride
Use regional WMATA Park & Ride lots at outlying Metro stations, then ride Red/Green/Yellow lines to Gallery Place–Chinatown
Source statement; not independently verified.
Pickup
N/A — no regular official shuttle
Source statement; not independently verified.
Routes
No standing official team shuttle; the arena is Metro-served. WMATA occasionally runs free shuttle buses during Metro track work/repairs
Source statement; not independently verified.
Schedule
N/A — no regular official shuttle. WMATA repair-period shuttles run per posted advisories
Source statement; not independently verified.
Bicycles
Overnight
Personal bikes left at public racks overnight are at owner's risk and subject to DC rules; not recommended
Source statement; not independently verified.
Rack locations
Public bike racks on surrounding DC sidewalks (Penn Quarter/Chinatown) near F, G, H and 6th–7th Streets NW; no large dedicated arena bike compound advertised
Source statement; not independently verified.
Share cost
Capital Bikeshare single ride/day pass and membership pricing per the Capital Bikeshare app (varies); standard system rates
Source statement; not independently verified.
Share distance
Within roughly 1–2 blocks of the arena
Source statement; not independently verified.
Share provider
Capital Bikeshare (operated for the DC region; Lyft-operated system)
Source statement; not independently verified.
Share station
Yes — multiple Capital Bikeshare docks within a block or two (e.g., near Gallery Place/Chinatown and along 7th Street NW)
Source statement; not independently verified.
Tips
Use Capital Bikeshare and dock at a nearby station rather than locking up curbside; check dock availability in the app before/after the event
Source statement; not independently verified.
Accessibility
Accessible parking
Accessible parking available in the connected Gallery Place Garage and nearby garages; contact Accessible Seating & Services for arrangements
Source statement; not independently verified.
Contact
Office of Accessible Seating & Services via Monumental Sports / Capital One Arena; Guest Services located across from Sections 102 (Level 1) and 402 (Level 4). See https://www.capitalonearena.com/plan-your-visit/accessibility
Source statement; not independently verified.
Dropoff
Accessible drop-off available at arena-adjacent curb areas; coordinate with staff/Accessible Seating & Services for nearest accessible entrance
Source statement; not independently verified.
Fun fact
Capital One Arena's Accessible Seating & Services Office is exclusively dedicated to guests with disabilities and is regarded as one of the best accessibility programs in sports and entertainment
Source statement; not independently verified.
Restrooms
Accessible restrooms available on all levels
Source statement; not independently verified.
Service animals
Trained service dogs (and those in training) performing tasks for a guest with a disability are welcome; comfort/emotional-support animals are not permitted. Notifying Accessible Seating & Services in advance is recommended
Source statement; not independently verified.
Wheelchair seating
Accessible/companion seating offered in an integrated setting on all levels; the suite level and individual suites are fully wheelchair-accessible
Source statement; not independently verified.
Food and vendors
Cashless
Yes — Capital One Arena is cashless; concessions accept cards and mobile payments only (reverse ATMs/cash-to-card available)
Source statement; not independently verified.
Fun fact
Capital One cardholders receive 10% off food and beverage and 20% off merchandise at the arena. The venue has been an early adopter of self-serve "frictionless" concession markets
Source statement; not independently verified.
Local
Fuku, Swizzler, DMV Wings, TaKorean, Sidekick Bakery (Ted's tarts), Little Miner Taco, and other rotating local DC/DMV operators
Source statement; not independently verified.
Mobile ordering
Yes — mobile/app ordering and self-serve concession options available
Source statement; not independently verified.
Notable stands
Self-serve "grab-and-go" markets, Fuku (sections 117 and 422), Swizzler, DMV Wings, TaKorean, Sidekick Bakery
Source statement; not independently verified.
Outside food policy
Outside food and beverage generally not permitted; small exceptions for medical/infant needs. Verify current arena bag/food policy before the event
Source statement; not independently verified.
Parking Apps Accepted
Mobile parking apps (e.g., SpotHero) and online pre-paid passes accepted at affiliated garages
Source statement; not independently verified.
Signature food
Local DC favorites include chicken wings with Capital City Mambo Sauce (DMV Wings) and Fuku's spicy fried-chicken sandwich; the arena leans into DC-area culinary brands
Source statement; not independently verified.
Vegetarian
Yes — plant-based and vegetarian items available (e.g., tofu tacos at TaKorean and other veg-friendly stands)
Source statement; not independently verified.
Venue history
Architect
Ellerbe Becket with Devrouax & Purnell (associate architects)
Source statement; not independently verified.
Construction cost
Approximately $260 million (1997)
Source statement; not independently verified.
Famous moments
Hosted the Wizards' playoff runs, Capitals' 2018 Stanley Cup Final home games, Georgetown Hoyas basketball, NCAA tournaments, concerts, and the WNBA Washington Mystics; credited with sparking the revival of DC's Penn Quarter/Chinatown
Source statement; not independently verified.
Fun fact
When it opened as MCI Center in 1997, it is widely credited with transforming the once-blighted downtown Chinatown/Penn Quarter neighborhood into a thriving entertainment district
Source statement; not independently verified.
Opened
1997 (opened December 2, 1997)
Source statement; not independently verified.
Original capacity
~20,500 seats (about 20,000 for basketball at opening)
Source statement; not independently verified.
Original name
MCI Center (renamed Verizon Center in 2006, then Capital One Arena in 2017)
Source statement; not independently verified.
Renovations
Built by late Wizards owner Abe Pollin as a downtown revitalization project. Major phased modernization underway 2024–2027 (~$800M–$1B), including new luxury suites (Founder/Signature/Executive), upgraded locker rooms and player spaces, a new "Grand Pavilion" entrance and exterior LED system, and doubled escalators/elevators with added concessions and restrooms
Source statement; not independently verified.
Retired numbers
Wizards/Bullets retired numbers (incl. Wes Unseld #41, Elvin Hayes #11, Gus Johnson #25, Earl Monroe #10, Phil Chenier #45) and the 1978 NBA championship banner hang in the rafters, alongside Capitals retired numbers
Source statement; not independently verified.
Venue details
Capacity
20,356 for basketball (18,573 for ice hockey)
Source statement; not independently verified.
Climate
Fully enclosed, climate-controlled indoor arena; weather is not a factor for events
Source statement; not independently verified.
Elevation
Approximately 25–50 ft above sea level (downtown Washington, DC). N/A — indoor arena (playing surface is climate-controlled indoors)
Source statement; not independently verified.
Premium
Extensive premium inventory; renovation adds new Founder Suites, Signature Suites, and Executive Suites (opening for the 2026–27 season) plus loge boxes and clubs
Source statement; not independently verified.
Shared tenants
NHL's Washington Capitals (primary co-tenant); also hosts Georgetown men's basketball, the WNBA Washington Mystics (select games), concerts, and other events
Source statement; not independently verified.
Surface
Hardwood basketball court (convertible to ice for Capitals hockey)
Source statement; not independently verified.