You don’t have to be a sports fan to have seen Capital One Arena while traversing the capital city – it is a centerpiece of the City’s Gallery Place/Chinatown area.
The famous arena serves not only as a home for several of our great cities’ professional sports teams (including the Wizards, Capitals, and the Mystics) but also as an iconic venue for some of the best performers in the world.
Well, if you haven’t heard, after 27 years, the arena is finally getting a few much-needed upgrades – roughly 800 million dollars worth!
What will the renovated Capital One Arena look like?
In a joint announcement this past month from Monumental Sports & Entertainment (MSE) Founder and CEO Ted Leonsis, Mayor Bowser, Councilmember Brooke Pinto, and NBA Commissioner Adam Silver released renderings of what the updated Capital One Arena will look like.
Here are a few of the highlights from that press release –
The exterior façade’s updated look
The sleek and modern new look for the exterior of Capital One Arena was reportedly inspired by the look and feel of the Kogod Courtyard, which is inside the nearby National Portrait Gallery.
The design will integrate modern technology to create a dynamic public walking space that will serve as a ‘spine’ for Downtown D.C. and encourage further economic growth in the surrounding area.
Revamped luxury seating sections for VIP guests
Two new exclusive zones in the updated arena will include the ‘United Globe Club and Lounge’ and the ‘Vault’ Suites.
The United Globe Club will fit over 800 guests, creating an “expansive” hospitality space that maintains a minimum of over 16 square feet of room per guest even at maximum capacity. The club will consist of two floors and serve as a culinary oasis for VIP seatholders during events.
The United Globe Lounge will be exclusive for guests with courtside/glass seats during Wizards or Capitals games. The lounge space will have a capacity of 150 guests per event and aims to be one of the most premium hospitality experiences of its kind in any arena across the nation.
The ‘Vaults’ will be the exclusive private suites, each accessible only via a private lobby utilizing a dedicated elevator for each suite. The suites will feature seating for up to 20 with added amenities and luxuries like a private bar, personal restroom, and an experiential tasting room. This exclusive area aims to be the ultimate culinary experience for guests complete with an all-inclusive multi-course menu and complimentary beer, wine, or cocktails.
When are the renovations of Capital One Arena going to be completed?
The renovations, which aim to conclude before the 2027 – 2028 season are going to be carried out through six distinct phases:
- Phase 1 – Currently underway – This includes largely ‘behind the scene’ construction work such as escalator pit installation.
- Phase 2 – Summer 2025 – The first upgrades to general fan seating areas will begin and renovations to the locker room areas will be completed to ensure they are prepared for the respective ’25-’26 NBA and NHL seasons for the Wizards and Capitals. Additionally, premium fan zones the United Globe Club and Lounge, and the Vault Suites aim to be completed in time for the upcoming season.
- Phase 3 – During ’25-’26 season – Preparation for initial exterior renovations and improvements to existing amenities including additional restrooms and improving concession spaces.
- Phase 4 – Summer 2026 – Major exterior updates commence including the new façade and revamped Grand Pavilion space. Interior renovations will also expand to revamp concessions and suites.
- Phase 5 – During ’26-’27 season – Completion of interior remodeling, including club-level upgrades and enhancement of corridors to bolster amenities and improve navigation throughout the arena.
- Phase 6 – Summer 2027 – Final renovations to be completed including interior improvements, the external façade, and the Grand Pavilion.
How much is the renovation of Capital One Arena going to cost?
The total cost of the renovations is expected to be over $800 million, $515 million of which will be paid by the D.C Council and the remainder by Monumental Sports & Entertainment.
The deal includes the sale of Capital One Arena to the D.C. Council for $87.5 million from Monumental Sports & Entertainment’s Founder and CEO, Ted Leonsis, with the obligation to lease the arena back to the Wizards and Capitals through 2050.