The Capitals and Wizards also released ticket information for the 2020-21 season.
It's a good day to be a sports fan in D.C. Following the expansion of Nationals Park and Audi Field to fan attendance, Capital One Arena will be opening its games to the public at a limited capacity. The arena has been closed since last March.
According to a new order issued by Mayor Muriel Bowser, the arena will host games at 10-percent capacity, or 2,100 fans total. Both Nationals Park and Audi Field, otherwise known as DC United Stadium, have gained approval to operate at 25-percent. While these are dramatic scalebacks of their typical crowds, which boast between 20,000 and 41,000 in the pre-pandemic age, it's an encouraging sign of things to come as vaccine rollout efforts increase nationwide.
In a press release, CEO and Founder of Monumental Sports & Entertainment Ted Leonsis said, "Our country has been through great stress over the past year, and it has taken a mental toll on all of us, but we know that sports are a great healer. So, we thank Mayor Bowser and her team for approving our vigorous health and safety plan so that some of our passionate Caps and Wizards fans may gather – with the first games being attended by some of our incredible first responders and frontline COVID-19 workers."
In the wake of the decision, the Washington Capitals and Washington Wizards have released more details on ticketing for the 2020-21 season. As outlined on the teams' respective websites, attendance will be prioritized for season ticket holders, with the Capitals holding a presale for home games. The remaining spaces will be offered via a general public ticket sale. A number of tickets will be reserved for frontline and essential workers, who will be honored at upcoming games.
In accordance with the order, safety guidelines will be implemented at each game. Social distancing will be enforced through mask-wearing, mobile service, and pod seating throughout the arena, as well as increased sanitation procedures. Additionally, teams may be subject to safety inspections by relevant government agencies.
Both teams will be playing their first home games this month, with the Wizards competing against the Golden State Warriors on April 21 and the Capitals with the New York Islanders on April 27. You can find out more here.
Mayor Bowser is also preparing for increased rollbacks of COVID-19 guidelines set to be implemented on May 1. Stay tuned for that.
Will you be catching a Capitals or Wizards game this season? Let us know in the comments.
