Verizon Center

Lore & Background

The arena was built on a block between 6th and 7th and F and G Streets, historically a mix of residences and small businesses. The District government bought the land in 1973, and after several failed development plans, owner Abe Pollin agreed to privately fund the $200 million construction. The District paid for land acquisition, site preparation, and Metro station expansion, totaling $79 million. The arena opened with a Wizards game against the Seattle SuperSonics on December 2, 1997, with President Bill Clinton in attendance.

In 1999, Ted Leonsis bought a 36% stake in Pollin's holdings, later increasing to 44% in 2000. After Pollin's death in 2009, Leonsis's Monumental Sports & Entertainment gained full ownership in June 2010. In July 2020, William Hill opened a sportsbook at the arena, the first brick-and-mortar sportsbook in the District and the first at a professional sports venue in the United States.

Reader's Guide

Capital One Arena is located in the Chinatown section of Penn Quarter, Washington, D.C., atop the Gallery Place Metro station. It hosts Washington Capitals (NHL), Washington Wizards (NBA), and Georgetown University men's basketball games. The arena features a high-definition LED scoreboard installed in 2007, a SkyRing video screen, and underwent a $30 million renovation in 2019–2020 that replaced seating, improved the concourse, and added dining options. A William Hill sportsbook opened in July 2020.

Did You Know?

• The arena was the first professional sports venue in the U.S. to open a brick-and-mortar sportsbook, in July 2020.
• The arena's development contributed to the displacement of most of the local Chinese-American population, which dropped from over 3,000 before construction to 300 in 2023.

Architectural Innovation and Fan Experience

Opened in December 1997 as the MCI Center, this venue revolutionized arena design by prioritizing vertical seating over horizontal expansion. This unique structural choice ensured that nearly every spectator enjoyed superior sightlines of the court or ice, though it occasionally resulted in tighter legroom within the upper tiers. Beyond the stands, the facility was a pioneer in integrating advanced technology into the fan experience. The concourse featured multimedia stations known as ArenaNet, allowing attendees to check live scores, view game highlights, and even send digital postcards via email.

This system relied on proprietary virtual LAN software from Cabletron Systems, replacing an earlier, abandoned concept of installing televisions directly into seats due to technical hurdles. Additionally, the arena boasted spacious quarters for players and coaches equipped with cutting-edge competitive research technology, setting a new standard for professional sports facilities in Washington, D.C.