D.C. Lets Fans At Capital One Arena, Increases Nats Park Capacity

WASHINGTON, DC — Capital One Arena can now allow fans to fill 10 percent of the indoor arena for Washington Capitals and Washington Wizards games, while the Washington Nationals and DC United can increase the capacity to 25 percent at their stadiums.

The Nationals began their season on Tuesday allowing 5,000 fans per game, about 12 percent of Nationals Park’s capacity. The team will now be permitted to host more than 10,000 fans at 25 percent capacity.

After a road trip to Los Angeles and St. Louis, the Nationals are scheduled to play their next home game on April 15.

The soccer team DC United can increase the capacity at Audi Field from 10 percent to 25 percent, or about 5,000 fans, for their first home game on April 17.

All of the changes go into effect immediately, according to letters sent to the organizations on Friday by the D.C. Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency.

After a long road trip, the Capitals play their next home game on Tuesday against the Philadelphia Flyers. The Wizards will next play in Washington on April 16. The teams will be able to play in front of about 2,100 people inside Capital One Arena.

Alcohol sales at Capital One Arena will be limited to two beverages per person. For Wizards games, alcohol sales must be discontinued at the end of the second quarter for concession stands and at the start of the fourth quarter for in-seat ordering, according to the D.C. government.

For hockey games, alcohol sales must be discontinued midway through the second period at concession stands and at the start of the third period for in-seat ordering.