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Washington, D.C. (December 19, 2024) – Monumental Sports & Entertainment (MSE) Founder and CEO Ted Leonsis, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, Ward 2 Councilmember Brooke Pinto, and NBA Commissioner Adam Silver today unveiled images of the new exterior design and additional interior renderings for the brand-new Capital One Arena. The group joined with guests in the Grand Pavilion to celebrate the formal start of construction with a ceremonial hammer swing, having received unanimous approval on the development and finance agreements from the D.C. Council and signed by Mayor Bowser earlier this week. The six phases of construction will span three years and will be delivered in time for the 2027-28 NBA and NHL seasons.
“The arena will be a marvel of modern design and technology, the intersection of style and comfort and a futuristic and first-class fan experience from street to seat,” shared Ted Leonsis. “In this greatest city in the world with its extraordinary and historic monuments, we believe this building will be a monument but built on momentum – something bold and bright for now and the future.”
“We know what our sports teams mean to DC, and we’re proud to be partnering with Ted Leonsis and Monumental Sports to deliver a once-in-a-generation investment in the future of our city,” said Mayor Bowser. “It’s a catalytic investment that’s good for our Downtown, our city, as well as the teams, fans, and entire region. Thank you to the neighbors, business owners, advocates, and everyone else who stayed in the fight with us.”
MSE has partnered with CAA ICON to serve as the overall project manager, Gensler on the design, and Clark Construction on the building construction.
Design Inspiration
The design embraces the City’s Gallery Place/Chinatown Task Force vision for a civic spine along 7th Street NW and reinforces interconnectivity from the National Mall to the south and extends north to the Shaw neighborhood. This project is a catalyst for Downtown DC as a vibrant, interconnected, walkable urban core.
Further, a new People’s Plaza establishes a meaningful dialogue between the planning of the Portrait Gallery and the arena, creating a civic space that welcomes guests and activation year-round.
This approach creates harmony between the arena and its immediate urban context, enriching the community’s connection to the space by serving as a featured backdrop to myriad events surrounding the arena.
The Capitals’ space will feature ergonomically designed lockers with integrated drying systems, personalized storage for gear, dressing areas, lounge spaces, and new weight and functional training areas. Their recovery facilities will include dedicated cold tubs, hot tubs, and compression therapy areas designed specifically for the recovery needs of hockey players. Equipment and triage optimization will provide on-site skate sharpening and repair stations for immediate and precise gear adjustments, ensuring players are always game-ready.
And both teams will have dedicated new “hype zones” that will bring the players to the court ready for action and showcase an excited team entering the ice.
Phases of Construction
The construction schedule for Capital One Arena will occur in stages beginning now through the start of the 2027-28 NBA and NHL seasons to ensure minimal disruption to fans and the league’s schedules. The arena will remain dark in the summers between the Wizards and Capitals seasons, when the bulk of the work will be completed.
Premium Experiences Available for the 2025-2026 Season
Fans of the Capitals and Wizards will be able to access the most premium new spaces as early as the 2025-26 season, as these will be completed during the first phase of construction. For more information on these offerings, guests can contact suites@monumentalsports.com.
The Vaults
The creation of The Vault marks the landmark first step in Capital One Arena’s transformation process, which will not only offer the pinnacle of premium fan experiences at the modernized arena but will set a new standard for premier hospitality within the DMV region.
Each Vault Suite will be accessed by a private lobby with a dedicated elevator off the main concourse and features seating for up to 20, including lounge-style seating areas with plush furniture and elegant high-top seating at the suite’s private bar. Additional programming consists of an experiential tasting room, private restrooms, and other high-end amenities. Vault owners and their guests will have access to all events at Capital One Arena, including playoff games, concerts, and special events.
The culinary experience at The Vaults will be second to none, as each suite will offer an all-inclusive menu with a multi-course meal available for all events plus beer, wine, and cocktails. Guests will also enjoy an exclusive Tasting Room, where they will be greeted with several complimentary offerings throughout the event, from local D.C.-inspired appetizers to specialty desserts crafted by an award-winning pastry chef to fan-favorite last bites.
United Globe Club
With space for more than 800 guests, the United Globe Club will be the most expansive of the new hospitality spaces at the transformed Capital One Arena, offering more than 16 square feet of space per guest at full capacity. The club will feature exclusive space for guests across two levels and will provide access to a dynamic new dining experience as well as complimentary beer, wine, and soft drinks for all Capitals and Wizards VIP seat holders. The United Globe Club will be 30% larger than any existing hospitality space at the current arena.
United Globe Lounge
Exclusive to Wizards Courtside Row AAA seat holders and Capitals Row A seats on the glass, the United Globe Lounge will only be available to 150 guests per event, providing one of the most spacious, luxurious premium hospitality experiences in any arena nationwide.
District of Play
Monumental Sports’ dedication to invigorating the health and vitality of the arena, the downtown corridor, and the entire District is embodied in its most ambitious charitable initiative ever: District of Play. Announced in conjunction with the efforts around Capital One Arena, this multi-million-dollar investment is designed to break down the barriers which prevent kids in D.C. from playing sports by providing safe play spaces, empowering players and engaging parents, coaches and the community. Monumental’s plan is to transform access and opportunity in youth sports as Capital One Arena undergoes its own transformation – and it’s already made an impact on 4,400 young athletes in the District.
“Monuments are spaces for our community to convene and admire and celebrate greatness and a shared sense of togetherness,” Leonsis added. “The new Capital One Arena will be an epic focal point for the community and a symbol for the resurgence of downtown. It will continue to be an economic driver and a source of pride and joy for the community.”
For more information or to stay informed on the latest information on the transformation of Capital One Arena, please visit CapitalOneArena.com or follow us on our social media accounts.
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About Monumental Sports
Monumental Sports & Entertainment is one of America’s leading sports and entertainment families. Our people, players, teams and events bring excitement and joy to millions. We invest and innovate to consistently raise the game so we can deliver extraordinary experiences that will inspire and unite our community, our fans and our people. To learn more, please visit https://monumentalsports.com/.
