Fans can expect: 

• Wider entrances and exits for easier access. 
• Larger concourses with more space to gather and improved wayfinding. 
• New social decks with views of the arena floor. 
• Expanded food and beverage options featuring more offerings from local restaurants than ever before. 
• Enhanced seating options for comfort and inclusivity. 
• Cutting-edge technology for a seamless experience from ticketing to in-event engagement. 
• 30% more restrooms ensuring fans can spend more time enjoying the event and less time waiting in line. 

The design aligns with the City’s Gallery Place/Chinatown Task Force vision, reinforcing 7th Street NW as a civic spine that connects the National Mall to the Shaw neighborhood. A new People’s Plaza fosters year-round activation and creates a dialogue between the Donald W. Reynolds Center for American Art and Portraiture (commonly known as the Smithsonian’s Portrait Gallery) and the arena, enriching Downtown DC as a vibrant, interconnected, and walkable urban core. 

• Wizards: Locker rooms nearly double in size with state-of-the-art amenities, hydrotherapy pools, massage areas, and advanced video analytics. 
• Capitals: Enlarged locker rooms with ergonomic features, personalized storage, on-site skate sharpening, and dedicated recovery areas. 
• Both teams will have dramatic new hype zones for energized entrances to the court or ice. 

A new arena signals MSE’s commitment to excellence, showcasing state-of-the-art facilities that prioritize player health, performance, and development. A modern arena attracts talent by creating an environment where athletes have everything they need, from recovery tools to personalized training spaces. For players and staff, it’s a statement of intent: a team serious about winning, investing in its future, and setting a high standard that top talent wants to be part of. 

The design draws inspiration from the historic L’Enfant Plan for the District, building on the legacy of the neighboring Donald W. Reynolds Center for American Art and Portraiture (commonly known as the Smithsonian’s Portrait Gallery). The project reimagines the arena as a dynamic and monumental gathering space that honors its role as a central meeting place in the District’s original plan. 

The new façade transforms into an activated canvas with dynamic lighting, media displays, and public art space. This innovative design blurs the line between venue and performer, making the arena a centerpiece that amplifies the energy of the District during events and engages with the revitalized entertainment district. 

The new People’s Plaza and activated exterior in Gallery Place create a welcoming civic space for year-round events. The arena will serve as a backdrop for community gatherings, enhancing the connection between the space and its surrounding neighborhood. 

Fans will be able to access many of the arena's new premium spaces as early as the 2025/2026 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 Vaults mark the first step toward the future of Capital One Arena, setting a new standard for premier hospitality in the DMV. Each suite includes seating for up to 20, lounge-style furniture, private bars, restrooms, and access to all arena events, including concerts, playoffs, and special events. 
  • The all-inclusive culinary experience features multi-course meals, beer, wine, cocktails, and an exclusive Tasting Room offering local-inspired bites, specialty desserts, and fan-favorite last bites crafted by top chefs. 
• 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. 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, unparalleled hospitality experiences in any arena nationwide.

In 2025, we will have more exciting developments to share on all levels of the building in relation to the premium experience at the New Capital One Arena.

One of the initial enhancements at Capital One Arena is a new entrance on 6th Street with direct street access for accessible drop-offs and pick-ups. This improvement ensures a smoother arrival and departure experience, prioritizing accessibility for all fans. Additionally, the arena will feature upgraded ADA accommodations throughout, including enhanced seating options, improved navigation with wayfinding technology, and expanded accessible amenities to create an inclusive and welcoming experience for everyone. 

The arena’s design carefully respects its urban context, drawing inspiration from the Donald W. Reynolds Center for American Art and Portraiture (commonly known as the Smithsonian’s Portrait Gallery) essence and turning it “inside out” to create a unifying and elegant exterior. Art activation, thoughtful scale changes, and material choices enrich the street-level experience, ensuring harmony with the surrounding city fabric. 

Monumental Sports is committed to reducing the environmental impact of the arena without compromising the experience. As significant energy consumers, arenas require thoughtful improvements to enhance energy performance. Upgrades to the building envelope, mechanical systems, and lighting are being designed to deliver meaningful energy savings. Our commitment to this building and location comes with unique challenges, which we are meeting with innovation and determination to ensure its long-term sustainability. These efforts include but are not limited to: 

By retaining most of the arena’s existing structural system, this design will limit unnecessary carbon output from operational carbon (produced during a building’s use, like energy for heating and cooling) and embodied carbon (which encompasses emissions from construction materials and processes).  

The exterior design includes high-performance glazing that not only enhances aesthetics but also optimizes natural light and temperature regulation.  

Additionally, energy-efficient lighting systems will illuminate events without excessive energy use, while advanced rainwater retention systems will capture on-site rainfall to avoid overwhelming the city’s stormwater infrastructure. This proactive approach helps keep regional waterways clean and reduces pollution and flooding risks—benefits rippling beyond this arena footprint. As part of the design, there will be landscaped elements that filter runoff and support the local ecosystem. 

Monumental Sports is pursuing LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification—a globally recognized symbol of sustainability excellence and disclosing our Energy Consumption through the city’s BEPS (Building Energy Performance Standard) program. LEED evaluates buildings on criteria like energy use, air quality, waste reduction, and transportation impacts, while BEPS focuses on reducing energy consumption and carbon emissions. 

Construction begins in December 2024 and will occur in six phases over three years. The Arena is scheduled to be complete in time for the 2027-28 NBA and NHL seasons. 

• Phase 1 (now – the conclusion of the 2024-25 season): Preparatory work begins with structural enabling tasks such as escalator pit installations and hydrotherapy slab construction. Fans will notice minimal disruptions as foundational work is largely behind the scenes.  

• Phase 2 (summer 2025): The enhancement of athlete spaces, including new locker rooms, a family lounge, and new media facilities. Additional upgrades include new escalators and initial modifications to fan seating areas. Premium fan experiences including the United Globe Club and Lounge and the Vaults will also be completed during this phase and available to fans in the 2025-26 season. 

• Phase 3 (during the 2025-26 season): Preparatory work begins for extensive exterior upgrades to include the new entrance on F Street, adding new restrooms, and improving concession spaces.   

• Phase 4 (summer 2026): Major exterior updates will begin, including the new façade and enhancements to the Gallery Place atrium. Interior renovations continue with revamped concession stands and upgraded suites.  

• Phase 5 (during the 2026-27 season): Club-level upgrades and further interior remodeling will be completed, including enhanced corridors and additional seating modifications. Fans can expect more premium amenities and improved navigation throughout the arena.  

• Phase 6 (summer 2027): With most major elements in place, construction addresses final interior improvements, including concessions, loge boxes, and bathrooms. The Gallery Place atrium will also be completed.  

We do not anticipate road closures to stop the full flow of traffic. Travel restrictions may occur in the curb lanes while the facade is under construction during Phase 3, but Clark and MSE will work closely with DDOT to ensure well-thought maintenance of traffic (MOT) plans and minimize any impacts to the surrounding community. 

The arena will stay open during the NBA and NHL seasons. Major construction will occur during the summer months when the building is temporarily closed. 

We are committed to being a respectful and responsive neighbor by proactively communicating upcoming construction activities and any anticipated impacts with the local community. To ensure open lines of communication, we will provide regular updates to neighbors. You can sign up for these updates or submit questions and concerns here. 

MSE and the District’s investment is poised to generate over $1 billion in economic activity and create approximately 4,900 construction jobs, providing new career pathways and training for District residents. 

Since opening in 1997, Capital One Arena has been a cornerstone of Washington, D.C.'s economy, generating nearly $1 billion in tax revenue. The venue attracts nearly 3 million fans annually, 85% of whom come from outside the District. These visitors boost our city's economy by staying in our hotels, dining in our restaurants, and shopping in our stores. Since taking over operations in 2011, Monumental has invested over $200 million to maintain and improve the event-day experience for our fans and ensure the arena remains a driving force in our Downtown corridor. 

MSE and Clark Construction are dedicated to maximizing the involvement of Certified Business Enterprises (CBEs) in the arena's transformation. Our team is actively working to engage CBEs and ensure they are informed about upcoming project opportunities. We will hold dedicated CBE outreach events in advance of each major phase of the work.

We’ve developed a robust outreach plan to engage D.C. businesses throughout each phase of construction: 

• In November, we hosted an event at Capital One Arena attended by 150+ CBEs, prime contractors, MSE and Clark employees, and representatives from the Department of Small and Local Business Development (DSLBD) and Department of Employment Services (DOES). 
• Clark is planning two additional events in 2025, one in the spring and one in the fall, to connect businesses with upcoming opportunities. 
• Additionally, in September, Clark hosted 80+ D.C. high school educators at District E to highlight careers in the skilled trades, showcasing opportunities to contribute to projects like this one. 
• Sign up for updates or submit your information to participate here. 

We’re excited to partner with local businesses and contractors to bring this transformation to life while strengthening the community and creating opportunities for growth.  

Firms interested in pursuing contracting opportunities on the project should complete Clark's Trade Contractor Interest Form. This is an important first step for companies that have not previously bid work with Clark or do not work with the company regularly. Once the form is complete, Clark will review the information, schedule an introductory meeting, and, if appropriate, invite firms to complete their formal Subcontractor Qualification Application (SQA).