Capital One Arena Game Day Guide
Washington Wizards · Washington, DC
Know Before You Go
Essential details checked against official venue information.
- Bag policy
Most bags are prohibited; wallet-size clutches up to 4 x 6 inches and medical or parenting bags up to 14 x 14 x 6 inches are permitted after screening.
Applies to: Washington Wizards games
- Medical and parenting bags should enter at the Capital One Cardholder Entrance at Sixth and F Streets.
- Bag storage
Capital One Arena does not check or store prohibited bags or other prohibited items.
Applies to: Washington Wizards games
- Gate opening
Doors generally open one hour before the event start time.
Applies to: Washington Wizards games
- Check the event calendar for the game-specific time.
- Mobile tickets
Capital One Arena uses mobile entry; print-at-home PDFs are not accepted.
Applies to: Washington Wizards games
- Display the live Ticketmaster barcode for scanning; a printed ticket issued directly by the box office is accepted.
- Re-entry
Wizards guests may exit and re-enter through the F Street entrance after the event begins.
Applies to: Washington Wizards games
- Prohibited items
The arena prohibits weapons, knives, tasers, pepper spray, projectiles, balloons, cans, bottles, coolers, outside food and drink, illegal drugs, lasers, luggage, backpacks, hard-sided bags, tripods, selfie sticks, noisemakers, poles, wrapped gifts, identity-concealing masks, and recording devices.
Applies to: Washington Wizards games
- Event pages may add restrictions; review the current official list before leaving home.
- First aid
First Aid stations with on-site medical professionals are at Sections 109 and 409.
Applies to: Washington Wizards games
- For an emergency, notify the nearest arena staff member.
- Nursing and lactation
Two Mamava lactation pods are at the F Street elevator landings across from Sections 200 and 400.
Applies to: Washington Wizards games
- The pod on the 200 Level is ADA accessible.
- Family restrooms
Family restrooms are across from Sections 113, 214, and 432.
Applies to: Washington Wizards games
- Baby-changing stations are available in all men's, women's, and family restrooms.
- Tickets for children
Children age 3 and older must have a ticket for Wizards games.
Applies to: Washington Wizards games
- Guest services
Guest Services is across from Sections 102 and 402.
Applies to: Washington Wizards games
- During events, text `MSE`, a space, the issue, and location to 240-262-4357.
- Service animals
Individually task-trained service dogs and service dogs in training are permitted; comfort animals are not.
Applies to: Washington Wizards games
- The guest is responsible for the animal's care and supervision.
- Smoking and vaping
Capital One Arena is smoke-free and vape-free; smoking is permitted at least 25 feet from the building.
Applies to: Washington Wizards games
- After the game begins, use the F Street entrance for the permitted exit and re-entry process.
Game Day Timeline
What the day looks like at Capital One Arena, hour by hour.
Arrive in Penn Quarter
Take Metro to Gallery Place-Chinatown or park in a nearby garage. Explore the restaurants and bars along 7th Street and H Street NW.
Pregame dining
Grab dinner at Clyde's Gallery Place, Daikaya, or one of the many Chinatown/Penn Quarter restaurants. DC's food scene is world-class.
Doors open
Enter the arena and explore the concourse. Check out the team store and grab a half-smoke, DC's signature sausage.
Find your seat
Settle in for player introductions. Look for politicians, journalists, and lobbyists in the lower bowl. It's DC's court.
Game time
Wizards games have a professional, knowledgeable crowd. The arena fills well for marquee opponents. Total game time is about 2-2.5 hours.
Halftime break
Hit the concourse for a half-smoke or crab cake sandwich. The 100-level has the best food variety.
Post-game scene
Walk to the Penn Quarter bars or take Metro to Dupont Circle or Adams Morgan for late-night options. DC's bar scene stretches across multiple neighborhoods.
Tips & Fan Reports
All digital tickets now so make sure your phone is charged. If you are buying from a scalper outside they electronically transfer the ticket to you. There are no more paper tickets.
Metro is the best option, Gallery Place-Chinatown station is literally underneath the arena.
Capital One Arena tickets have been among the cheapest in the NBA in recent seasons. Great value for tourists visiting DC.
Halftime food lines are shortest in the 400-level concourse.
The half-smoke sausage is DC's signature arena food. Don't leave without trying one.
Penn Quarter and Chinatown restaurants are steps from Capital One Arena. Dozens of options at every price point.
Gallery Place-Chinatown Metro station exits directly into the arena entrance area.
Weather
Capital One Arena is indoor, so these are the conditions for the parking lot and the walk in, not the seats.
Across the NBA season the warmest month is October, with an average high of 70°F, and the coldest is January, when the average low is 28°F. October is the wettest month at 4.2 inches and January the driest at 3.0 inches.
That January low ranks 12th coldest of the 30 NBA venues, and October here ranks 13th wettest.
October
4.2 inchesDecember
3.7 inchesJanuary
3.0 inchesMarch
4.0 inchesApril
3.4 inchesWashington Wizards Clear Bag Policy
Most venues require a clear bag. Get an approved one before you travel.
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How We Checked This Page
Every section below names the source it was read from and the day it was read. Where we could not reach a published figure, the page says so rather than presenting an estimate as a checked fact.
- Game day timeline
Gate opening time checked against the venue's own gate-opening policy: Doors generally open one hour before the event start time.
- Weather
NOAA 1991-2020 Climate Normals
- Venue policies
Current Capital One Arena FAQ, accessibility, box-office, and mobile-entry pages reviewed for Washington Wizards game-day policies.