MCI Center

MCI Center
Name	MCI Center
Location	601 F Street NW, Washington, D.C.
Broke ground	October 18, 1995
Opened	December 2, 1997
Owner	Monumental Sports & Entertainment
Operator	Monumental Sports & Entertainment
Surface	Multi-surface
Construction cost	$260 million
Architect	Ellerbe Becket, Devrouax & Purnell
Structural engineer	Thornton Tomasetti
General contractor	Clark Construction
Former names	MCI Center (1997–2006)
Tenants	Washington Wizards (NBA) (1997–present), Washington Capitals (NHL) (1997–present), Georgetown Hoyas (NCAA Division I) (1997–present), Washington Mystics (WNBA) (1998–2018)

MCI Center is a major multi-purpose arena located in the Chinatown neighborhood of Washington, D.C.. Opened in 1997, it was constructed as a replacement for the aging Capital Centre in Landover, Maryland, and quickly became a cornerstone of downtown revitalization. The venue is primarily known as the home of the Washington Wizards of the NBA, the Washington Capitals of the NHL, and the Georgetown Hoyas basketball team. Its development was spearheaded by the late Abe Pollin, a prominent local businessman and philanthropist.

History

The project was conceived in the mid-1990s by Abe Pollin, who owned both the Washington Bullets and the Washington Capitals, to create a modern, downtown home for his franchises. The site selected was a former Greyhound bus depot in the then-underdeveloped Penn Quarter area, with groundbreaking occurring in October 1995. The arena's construction, managed by Clark Construction, was a public-private partnership involving the District of Columbia government and was completed ahead of schedule. Its opening on December 2, 1997, with a Bruce Springsteen concert, is widely credited with catalyzing the economic resurgence of the surrounding neighborhood, attracting new businesses, restaurants, and the Gallery Place–Chinatown Metro station.

Naming history

Upon its opening, the arena's naming rights were secured by the telecommunications giant MCI in a lucrative deal. This partnership lasted until 2006 when the company was acquired by Verizon Communications. Following the acquisition, the venue was renamed Verizon Center on March 8, 2006, after a new agreement was reached. The naming rights changed hands again in 2018 when Monumental Sports & Entertainment, the ownership group led by Ted Leonsis, partnered with the financial services company Capital One. The arena was subsequently rebranded as Capital One Arena, a name it retains today, though its initial decade of operation remains historically associated with the MCI designation.

Design and features

Designed by the architectural firms Ellerbe Becket and Devrouax & Purnell, the arena's exterior features extensive use of brick and limestone to blend with the historic fabric of Washington, D.C. Its interior boasts a capacity of approximately 20,000 for basketball and hockey, with clear sightlines from its multiple seating levels. A distinctive architectural element is the massive, center-hung Daktronics scoreboard, which was among the largest of its kind when installed. The facility also includes over 100 luxury suites, multiple club lounges, and a wide variety of concession stands featuring local vendors. The main concourse displays sports memorabilia and honors Washington, D.C. sports legends.

Notable events

Beyond its regular tenant games, the arena has hosted a vast array of premier events. It has been a frequent site for the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament, including 2009 and 2011 regional finals. The venue has staged major concerts by iconic artists such as The Rolling Stones, Madonna, Beyoncé, and Paul McCartney. It has also been selected for significant political and cultural gatherings, including the 2009 NHL Winter Classic press conference, the 2016 NHL Stadium Series, and the 2018 College Basketball Invitational finals. The Washington Mystics of the WNBA played their home games there from 1998 until moving to the St. Elizabeths East Entertainment and Sports Arena.

Transportation and accessibility

The arena is renowned for its exceptional accessibility via public transit, being directly served by the Washington Metro at the Gallery Place–Chinatown station, a major hub for the Red, Green, and Yellow lines. Numerous Metrobus routes also stop nearby, and the facility is within walking distance of other key stations like Metro Center. For those driving, several parking garages are located in the immediate vicinity, though traffic in the dense Penn Quarter neighborhood can be heavy during events. The arena is also compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, offering full accessibility.

In popular culture

The arena has made notable appearances in various media, solidifying its status as a recognizable Washington, D.C. landmark. It was featured prominently in the 2002 political thriller film The Sum of All Fears, which starred Ben Affleck and Morgan Freeman. The venue has also been a setting for episodes of the television series The West Wing and has been referenced in songs by local artists. Its distinctive facade and the vibrant atmosphere of the surrounding Chinatown gates frequently appear in background shots for news broadcasts and documentaries about the National Capital Region.

Category:Arenas in Washington, D.C. Category:National Basketball Association venues Category:National Hockey League venues