Capital One Arena Pregame Guide
Washington Capitals · Washington, DC
There is no lot to tailgate in at a Capitals game — Capital One Arena parks its guests in the Lexus Garage and publishes no tailgating policy at all, so the pregame is downtown Washington rather than a parking space. Budget time for two checks rather than one: every vehicle entering the Lexus Garage is searched before it goes in, with visual, bag and metal-detection inspections, and the arena then runs a strict no-bag policy at the doors. Only wallet-size clutches up to 4 by 6 inches get through, with medical and parenting bags up to 14 by 14 by 6 admitted at the corner of 6th and F Street. Doors open about an hour before puck drop.
Tips & Fan Reports
Doors open an hour before the event, so the hour before that belongs to the neighbourhood.
Expect your car to be searched on the way into the Lexus Garage, so leave time for it.
Take no bag. The arena's limit is a 4 by 6 inch wallet-size clutch, which rules out most things people carry by default.
A medical or parenting bag has its own door — the corner of 6th and F Street — rather than any gate.
Where to Go Before the Game
The Lexus Parking Garage
The arena's own garage. Every vehicle parking inside is subject to search before entry, with staff conducting visual, bag and metal-detection inspections for prohibited items.
Known for Vehicle search on entry · Arena-operated · Covered
The 6th and F Street entrance
The corner entrance to use if you are carrying a medical or parenting bag, which are the only bags over wallet size the arena admits.
Known for For medical and parenting bags · Corner of 6th and F
Nearby lots and garages via SpotHero
The arena partners with SpotHero for guaranteed parking at lots and garages within easy walking distance, with the pass emailed straight through.
Known for Walking distance · Guaranteed space · Booked ahead
Rules to Know
What Capital One Arena allows, and what it does not.
- Capital One Arena operates a strict no bag policy. Bags, backpacks and purses are not permitted inside the arena.
- Wallet-size clutches no larger than 4" x 6", and medical or parenting bags no larger than 14" x 14" x 6", are permitted subject to security screening.
- Guests bringing a medical or parenting bag should use the entrance on the corner of 6th and F Street.
- All vehicles parking within the Lexus Parking Garage are subject to search prior to entry, including visual, bag and metal detection inspections.
- Doors generally open one hour prior to the event start time, though this varies by event.
- The arena publishes no tailgating policy, and its own parking is a garage rather than a surface lot.
What to Bring
- A bag the gate will accept
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.
- Only the outside food and drink the rule allows
Outside food and beverages are prohibited, but each guest may bring one empty plastic water bottle.
- A card or a phone wallet
Concessions, retail, and in-arena vendors are cashless and accept credit cards, debit cards, and smartphone contactless payments.
- Your tickets on a charged phone
Capital One Arena uses mobile entry; print-at-home PDFs are not accepted.
- A coat for the walk in
January lows average 28°F between the lot and the door at Capital One Arena.
- A rain layer for the walk in
October averages 4.2 inches of rain outside Capital One Arena.
Washington Capitals Tailgate Gear
Canopies, grills, coolers, and official Washington Capitals gear for the ultimate tailgate.
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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.
- Pregame
Capital One Arena official site: Arena Policies, Arena FAQs, and Directions & Parking
- Venue policies
Current Capital One Arena FAQ, accessibility, box-office, and mobile-entry pages reviewed for Washington Capitals game-day policies.
- Weather
NOAA 1991-2020 Climate Normals