Alexander Ovechkin and the 2022-2023 Washington Capitals are on their way to making major history this season. Ranked No. 4 in the Metropolitan Division, Ovechkin looks to break the 800-goal mark, and the team hopes to return to the Stanley Cup Finals, which they last made and won in 2018.
All you fans looking to cheer on the Caps in our nation’s capital, we’ve got you covered in this game day guide. From the best seats and promo offers to the best ways to get to and from the stadium, PlayMaryland has the inside line to make your trip to Capital One Arena exceptional.
Caps fans welcome Caesars Sportsbook & various venue upgrades
Capital One Arena has made some exciting upgrades for the 2022-2023 season. And now that the launch of online Maryland sports betting has taken place, Caps fans are able to place a bet from anywhere in the arena right from their phones.
The arena happens to be the nation’s first sporting arena to open a retail sportsbook. Caps fans welcomed in-person sports betting in 2021 when Caesars Sportsbook MD opened a retail book at the venue. Now, Caesars Entertainment has added 700 square feet to the sportsbook along with more sports betting kiosks to allow fans to bet on the Washington Capitals quicker than ever.
Along with these additional betting options, the second floor of the sportsbook is where you’ll find Guy Fieri’s new restaurant, Guy Fieri’s D.C. Kitchen + Bar. The restaurant features classic sports bar fare and a full bar. Fieri’s Trash Can Nachos, for instance, is a big hit with diners.
These new upgrades mean fans no longer have to travel to a retail sportsbook elsewhere or venture into D.C. to place a bet before a game. Instead, Capital One Arena is your one-stop shop.
Arriving, parking & tailgating at Capital One Arena
If you’re headed to a Caps matchup from out of town, note that there is no onsite parking for Capitals games.
The team has partnered with SpotHero to offer guaranteed parking for fans in nearby lots and garages. Most are within a 10- to 20-minute walk to the venue.
Rideshare and taxi options will get you there with much less headache and cost nearly as little as a parking pass.
However, the best way to get to Capital One Arena is by metro. The city’s green, yellow and red lines all connect at the Gallery Place/Chinatown Station metro stop, which drops off underneath the arena. For a train ticket that costs less than a bag of chips at the arena, this is the best, most hassle-free way to get to a game.
DC Metro Map
Trains come about every 10 minutes and run until midnight during the week and 1 a.m. on the weekends.
As for tailgating, with no arena parking, there is sadly no tailgating at Capital One Arena sporting events.
Pay a visit to Chinatown District
Fans looking for something easy to do before or after a game can visit Gallery Place in the Chinatown District. This dining and entertainment center next to the arena features restaurants, bars and entertainment options for the whole family.
For fans up for getting a little rowdier, there’s Penn Commons down the street from the arena. It boasts a full bar, standard sports bar food and a lot of excitement (Read: noise).
If you want something a bit more upscale, Bar Deco across the street from Capital One has three levels and a rooftop deck with full views of the game-day excitement on the street. The cocktail menu changes with the season, so ask the bartender what’s new.
Finally, if you’re looking for a little history, the Greene Turtle, across from the main concourse, is the oldest bar in the district and a Caps hangout. Before or after the game, it’ll feature plenty of Caps fans partaking in NHL betting and friendly competitions with fellow fans.
Best Caps seats for the ticket price
Center ice defines a good seat in the eyes of most fans. Since teams switch ends between every period, being centered gets you the best view of Caps action no matter what end they’re on.
While center ice is where the most desirable (and most expensive) seats are, ice level seats are sometimes obstructed. With the penalty boxes near center ice, 100-level seats can sometimes leave fans behind two panes of glass if they’re near the boxes.
Most fans prefer the club level (200s) near center ice for the best views of the game. They’re high enough for a good vantage point but close enough that you can follow the puck easily. Most club-level seats will go for about $85, with seats on the rail going for a little over $100.
Don’t let this advice turn you off of the 400s, though. If that’s all you’ve got in your budget, getting seats in the upper deck close to center ice will give you a full-ice view with no need to whip your head back and forth to catch all the action.
Caps game ticket prices vary depending on the opponent
Prices change depending on the opponent, so games against major rivals – Penguins, Rangers and Hurricanes – will cost you a little more.
Fans dispute which online resalers offer the best deals on tickets. Most say to avoid Ticketmaster. StubHub, SeatGeek and TickPick all regularly come in slightly below Ticketmaster, but there’s no clear winner here. Shop around before you buy.
The best advice for finding good prices on tickets? Wait. Unless it’s a premium game (see the rivalries below), waiting until the day the puck drops will almost always show a plunge in prices as season ticket holders unload unused tickets.
Promos for special groups & fans of retro gear
This season is a big year for promo games. The Capitals have an entire promo schedule for various groups.
Special groups games
- Nov. 5: Educators Night (vs. Arizona Coyotes)
- Jan. 17: Pride Night (vs. Minnesota Wild)
- Feb. 16: Medical Professional (vs. Florida Panthers)
- Feb. 21: Law Enforcement (vs. Detroit Red Wings)
- Feb. 23: Dogs (vs. Anaheim Ducks)
College series games
- Nov. 5: Georgetown University (vs. Arizona Coyotes)
- Nov. 7: James Madison (vs. Edmonton Oilers)
- Nov. 11: West Virginia University (vs. Tampa Bay Lightning)
- Dec. 15: University of Virginia (vs. Dallas Stars)
- Dec. 19: Virginia Tech (vs. Detroit Red Wings)
- Jan. 17: Towson University (vs. Minnesota Wild)
- Feb. 14: American University (vs. Carolina Hurricanes)
- Feb. 16: William & Mary (vs. Florida Panthers)
- Feb. 21: Virginia Commonwealth (vs. Detroit Red Wings)
- Feb. 23: George Washington University (vs. Anaheim Mighty Ducks)
- March 23: George Mason University (vs. Chicago Blackhawks)
If you’ve got no special affiliation and enjoy cool retro gear, the Caps are celebrating their retro “Screaming Eagle” jersey of the late 1990s this year. The promo calendar features four games where fans can get Screaming Eagle reverse retro gear.
Reverse retro giveaway games
- Nov. 25: T-shirt (vs. Calgary Flames)
- Dec. 9: Snapback hat (vs. Seattle Kraken)
- Jan. 3: Pennant (vs. Buffalo Sabres)
- Jan. 14: Rally towel (vs. Philadelphia Flyers)
