Capitals owner unveiling plans for new arena in Northern Virginia

[Satans Hockey]

Also I was down there for the last game of the Devils season last year, thought the arena was still great after the renovations it had. Sightlines are still great and I didn't think the area right around the arena was as bad as I've seen some people talking about.

 

[Ovie's Neighbor]

I think it’s dumb putting arenas and stadiums out in the suburbs but this spot seems like a relatively central, urban location so whatever.

Yeah it definitely is not some Atlanta Braves or 49ers situation. It is right outside the DC border where the airport is. It is closer to the current stadium than some other parts of DC are.

 

[Dolemite]

He ran his perpetual average teams and arena into ground and wants a new stadium for his average teams.

This is Glendale, AZ 2.0. This will turn off potential fans from Maryland and VA Outside the beltway.

You can put a pretty wrapping on garbage but it will still be garbage. Ted my boy, Good luck on hauling all your garbage franchises across town.

Then there’s the current arena amenities. Historically they’ve been one step above festering garbage.

 

[Djp]

I think it’s dumb putting arenas and stadiums out in the suburbs but this spot seems like a relatively central, urban location so whatever.

what is suburbs snd what is a city?

this is considered the area of the central core.

He ran his perpetual average teams and arena into ground and wants a new stadium for his average teams.

This is Glendale, AZ 2.0. This will turn off potential fans from Maryland and VA Outside the beltway.

You can put a pretty wrapping on garbage but it will still be garbage. Ted my boy, Good luck on hauling all your garbage franchises across town.

Then there’s the current arena amenities. Historically they’ve been one step above festering garbage.

Glendale is 30 miles from downtown Phoenix? They are trying to move the arena closer to the population center.

also on DCmetro…..

if you look at baltimore as n eing a separste market….. the centroid of the DC market in terms of population center is in northern virginia. Afee of the tv stations have their main studios in Arlington county areain Roslyn and crystal city/ airport/ pentagon

 

[Dolemite]

what is suburbs snd what is a city?

this is considered the area of the central core.

Glendale is 30 miles from downtown Phoenix? They are trying to move the arena closer to the population center.

also on DCmetro…..

if you look at baltimore as n eing a separste market….. the centroid of the DC market in terms of population center is in northern virginia. Afee of the tv stations have their main studios in Arlington county areain Roslyn and crystal city/ airport/ pentagon

This new location is essentially the same for MD residents. Especially with drive time.

This is someone who lived and have gone to both complexes.

 

[Dolemite]

what is suburbs snd what is a city?

this is considered the area of the central core.

Glendale is 30 miles from downtown Phoenix? They are trying to move the arena closer to the population center.

also on DCmetro…..

if you look at baltimore as n eing a separste market….. the centroid of the DC market in terms of population center is in northern virginia. Afee of the tv stations have their main studios in Arlington county areain Roslyn and crystal city/ airport/ pentagon

Fans come from all over the region. They’re going to lose fans from Silver Springs, Bethesda, and even the Reston area. No one is going to battle beltway traffic to get there.

 

[Djp]

Fans come from all over the region. They’re going to lose fans from Silver Springs, Bethesda, and even the Reston area. No one is going to battle beltway traffic to get there.

No they won’t.

like I said ….for those coming in on metro….. from MD NW/NE DCthey have an extra 15 min or so to get to the new site than what it was to current site. those from Dulles or vienna it would be the same. It’s closer for yellow/ blue line users in Virginia.

the problem will be beltway drivers on weekday home games.

reston 267/66 drivers won’t have rush hr traffic. Those comphaving to use the beltway from Maryland will have issues.problems as will those coming from dc

 

[Voight]

This building not lasting more than 30 years is a joke. Tax payers paying for it is an even bigger joke. If you're a billionaire owner you should have to pay for your own stadium or upgrades to it or stfu.

Team owners will never lose this fight. No mayor/governor wants to be the one who either let their team leave or turned down the chance to bring a pro sports team.

 

[Neil Racki]

This new location is essentially the same for MD residents. Especially with drive time.

This is someone who lived and have gone to both complexes.

1. No it is not. No one in MD will drive to NoVa, especially not on a weeknight.
2. Metro adds 30 mins PLUS you have to now transfer .. thats what the metro site is telling me now, if I left at 11 am on a Wed vs rush hour
3. There is only 1 line coming in and out of Potomac Yard vs metro Center and gallery place stations who have a bunch of lines

4. Washington Capitals .... should play in Washington not Virginia

This has zero to do with fan experience and best interest of fans

This is 100% due to Ted wanting to build a huge commercial real estate complex in open land in VA bc you cant do that in downtown cities

This is 100% about making the owner richer and diversifying his billionaire portfolio

I imagine Ted sells the Caps/Monument Sports in 10 years or so

 

[mrv52]

Fans come from all over the region. They’re going to lose fans from Silver Springs, Bethesda, and even the Reston area. No one is going to battle beltway traffic to get there.

The Beltway is really not a route from close in Montgomery County anyway. Mass Av, Clara Barton pkwy and 16th st inbound wont be any more difficult. The problem is getting over the river outbound from DC on weeknights. Parking and Metro will really be unchanged from a a solution standpoint.

 

[Satans Hockey]

Just got this email, the link to their website has some images of what they want...

"Dear Fans and Supporters,

I am thrilled to share with you a development which marks a potentially transformational new chapter for Monumental Sports & Entertainment, our teams, and the entire DMV – and reaffirms our commitment to our fans to offer a best-in-class experience.

While we are still in the early stages, we have reached an understanding for a framework of an agreement with the Commonwealth of Virginia, the City of Alexandria, and JBG Smith for a public-private partnership that would create a world-class Entertainment District at Potomac Yard in Alexandria, VA. Pending General Assembly and City Council approval, this project will become a catalyst for innovation and economic growth, uniting D.C., Maryland, and Virginia into a year-round destination for unforgettable experiences for our fans.

Our vision for the Entertainment District is to create a dynamic campus where our Washington Capitals and Wizards play in a state-of-the-art arena, complemented by a performing arts venue, new retail outlets, restaurants, and community spaces—easily accessible by metro and a variety of other transportation options. Your excellent experience will be the priority for the design. Upon completion, we believe this unparalleled development will rank as one of the very best in all of sports & entertainment, matching our world-class fanbases.

This project is expected to break ground in 2025 and open its doors in 2028. This Entertainment District is envisioned to be a lively, 365-day regional destination. The Entertainment District will also include a state-of-the-art production facility for Monumental Sports Network, a Wizards practice facility, and a modern corporate headquarters for Monumental Sports & Entertainment. We're excited for you to see this project come to life and invite you to visit www.monumentalalx.com to see a glimpse of what we envision for this Entertainment District.

While this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to expand, we hope Capital One Arena and downtown D.C. remain an essential part of our future. Our plan is to have the Capitals and Wizards continue to play at Capital One Arena through the 2027 season and we hope that we will have the opportunity to continue to operate Capital One Arena even after the new campus opens in Virginia.

We have plans to support ongoing development of Capital One Arena, and Monumental would continue to invest in the building and maintain its standing as one of the busiest arenas in the nation – continuing to host world-class live entertainment, covering a wide spectrum of music, comedy, cultural, community, and sporting events. Post-2027, a key component in our strategy for Capital One Arena will be enhancing the arena’s flexibility to adapt the seating capacity to suit various event types, audience sizes and event dynamics.

In recognition of the significant growth in the WNBA's viewership and fan engagement, we’re also anticipating the Washington Mystics will need a larger venue in the next 3-5 years and would like to explore the option for the Mystics to transition into making Capital One Arena their home. Such a move would be a testament to their success and the burgeoning appeal of women's sports.

Additionally, we expect Capital One Arena to expand its scope and serve as a versatile partner to the Convention Center in the future, when we can leverage our ability to secure event dates well in advance and when we have the flexibility to hold more daytime events. This strategic shift will enable us to maintain the arena’s vital role in the community.

We believe the unique opportunity we have for an Entertainment District at Potomac Yard and a vibrant, flexible sports and entertainment venue at Capital One Arena will not only offer DMV fans unparalleled access to world-class sports and entertainment but also serve as a testament to our commitment to providing exceptional fan experiences, uniting communities, and fostering economic growth for the entire region.

We understand you may have questions, and we are committed to keeping you informed along the way.

Your passion and support have been the driving force behind our endeavors, and we can't wait to embark on this journey with you. Stay tuned for more updates and get ready to be part of this exciting new chapter in our shared story.

Thank you for being the heart and soul of our v ision and ambition.

Ted"

 

[Neil Racki]

Fans come from all over the region. They’re going to lose fans from Silver Springs, Bethesda, and even the Reston area. No one is going to battle beltway traffic to get there.

Doesnt even mention all of us in Howard County

Sucks .. taking the red line straight to downtown, you get off literally steps away from the entrance, tons of bars and food spots .. game over and my fam is back on the metro in 2 mins. No transferring at other stations, no worries.

f*** you Ted

"Once in a life time opportunity .."

Sorry ted, I dont consider moving the WASHINGTON Captials out of Washington a lifetime f***ing opportunity

life time opportunity for him and his family tree

 

[njdevil26]

Would be cool if it was Alexandria... that's a cool town and it's on the Metro.

 

[mrv52]

1. No it is not. No one in MD will drive to NoVa, especially not on a weeknight.

Sure they will. Getting to the new location will be just a few minutes longer from the close in Montgomery locations, just traversing the river is the only change.

2. Metro adds 30 mins PLUS you have to now transfer .. thats what the metro site is telling me now, if I left at 11 am on a Wed vs rush hour

Metro is a mess anyway. They just announced potential cuts that may have the whole system closing at 10PM, and several station closures, among other issues. Metro isnt going to get better anytime soon.

3. There is only 1 line coming in and out of Potomac Yard vs metro Center and gallery place stations who have a bunch of lines

See above

4. Washington Capitals .... should play in Washington not Virginia

This has zero to do with fan experience and best interest of fans

This is 100% due to Ted wanting to build a huge commercial real estate complex in open land in VA bc you cant do that in downtown cities

This is 100% about making the owner richer and diversifying his billionaire portfolio

Sure, agreed. Why else would he go to the trouble of all this?

I imagine Ted sells the Caps/Monument Sports in 10 years or so

Monumental has several younger individuals in their group. Leonsis is no spring chicken. Of course he will eventually sell.

 

[RiverbottomChuck]

Most of the fans commute in anyway tbh, another reason to not have to deal with DC is a win for most fans.

 

[Caps8112]

Fans come from all over the region. They’re going to lose fans from Silver Springs, Bethesda, and even the Reston area. No one is going to battle beltway traffic to get there.

still 6 stops on the metro for Reston. definitely added metro stops for the others and a change of trains but I doubt this really changes much. The traffic is just as bad if not worse getting to the current arena. Im sure teds research teams looked at all of what your saying and likely get paid to do that for a living. I definitely will enjoy not going to DC.

 

[Dolemite]

The Beltway is really not a route from close in Montgomery County anyway. Mass Av, Clara Barton pkwy and 16th st inbound wont be any more difficult. The problem is getting over the river outbound from DC on weeknights. Parking and Metro will really be unchanged from a a solution standpoint.

People aren’t going to make the time for the extra commute for average teams (not just NHL).

 

[BE Friend]

What are the logistics like for going to a CAPS game now. Transit , parking, drive times? Most new pro sorts builds don't like dead space for parking so the bargaining chip for mass transit comes into play.

 

[mrv52]

People aren’t going to make the time for the extra commute for average teams (not just NHL).

It will be like any other shiny new venue. It will sell out for 4-5 years and if the teams dont turn around then it will suffer. It is really two separate issues.

 

[GMR]

Their stadium should be in Moscow, Russia.

 

[Midnight Judges]

The traffic situation for this idea is dumber than any of you could possibly imagine.

The "main" road in there is a 25 MPH residential access road that goes behind a Target strip mall. 20 cars is enough to back it up. It cannot handle thousands.

Route 1 is nearby but to go south it goes through old town Alexandria - stop lights at every block. There is no significant capacity for people going south, and what capacity exists is already taken up by current traffic.

There is no main road that goes east or west. East is the river. West is an endless pile of neighborhoods.

So all traffic to this idiotic idea must go North basically - through the access road to route 1.

They could put an exit ramp to the GW parkway but that just goes north to join the route 1 traffic at the 395 interchange or south into the aforementioned Old Town that has no capacity for traffic. In other words, it doesn't help much because it's redundant aside from the physical space of being able to put cars in a separate line.

It is largely a 1 way out situation.

It's an unbelievably stupid plan.

 

[Borsig]

even the caps don't want to be in DC lol.

Can't blame them. No one wants to live in the empire of Bowser.

 

[mrv52]

The traffic situation for this idea is dumber than any of you could possibly imagine.

The "main" road in there is a 25 MPH access road that goes behind a Target strip mall. 20 cars is enough to back it up. It cannot handle thousands.

Route 1 is nearby but to go south it goes through old town Alexandria - stop lights at every block. There is no significantly capacity for people going south, and what capacity exists is already tekn up by current traffic.

There is no main road that goes east or west. East is the river. West is an endless pile of neighborhoods.

So all traffic to this idiotic idea must go North basically - through the access road to route 1.

They could put an exit ramp to the GW parkway but that just goes north to join the route 1 traffic or south into the aforementioned Old Town that has no capacity for traffic. In other words, it doesn't help much because it's redundant aside from the physical space of being able to put cars in a separate line.

It is largely a 1 way out situation.

It's an unbelievably stupid plan.

The traffic situation is getting overblown. Getting in and around Alexandria is much easier than DC streets. In addition, road improvement projects for this area are already on the books. In the preposterous chance that further improvements are not being considered, the State legislature will demand it in order for it to be approved.

 

[Machinehead]

Mayor Bowser lol

Amazing name

 

[Nico Hischier]

So this was all just a bluff by lenosis to get taxpayers to fund the renovations. Would have been strange to move after spending lots of his own money in renovating captial one arena.