{"id":93177,"date":"2025-07-26T04:28:09","date_gmt":"2025-07-26T04:28:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/93177\/"},"modified":"2025-07-26T04:28:09","modified_gmt":"2025-07-26T04:28:09","slug":"ted-leonsis-says-800-million-capital-one-arena-renovations-are-fan-driven-tickets-are-expensive-fighting-traffic-we-have-to-think-of-an-end-to-end-customer-experience","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/93177\/","title":{"rendered":"Ted Leonsis says $800 million Capital One Arena renovations are fan-driven: \u2018Tickets are expensive, fighting traffic, we have to think of an end-to-end customer experience\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"

Capital One Arena is currently undergoing a six-phase, $800 million renovation that is scheduled to be completed in fall of 2027. Monumental Sports and Entertainment CEO Ted Leonsis, owner of the Washington Capitals and Wizards, told CNBC in an interview Tuesday<\/a> he believes the long-term project is vital to the prosperity of the nation\u2019s capital.<\/p>\n

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There\u2019s more to sports than competition \u2013 it\u2019s about connection. The shared moments, the collective emotion, that\u2019s what fans crave. At @MSE<\/a>, we\u2019re redefining this fan experience, from our innovative business model to the transformation of @CapitalOneArena<\/a>. \ud83d\ude4c<\/p>\n

I joined @CNBC<\/a>\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/v25XcxHpwv<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Ted Leonsis (@TedLeonsis) July 22, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

\u201cI think it\u2019s very, very important for our cities to be fully developed economically and we have to get people back into the office,\u201d he said. \u201cWe have to keep businesses flowing and we\u2019re a portal. We can bring in three million people a year\u2026 I think sports teams now have become this massive meeting and gathering place.\u201d<\/p>\n

The DC council approved $515 million<\/a> to be put towards transforming the arena\u2019s exterior, including the formation of a \u201cPeople\u2019s Plaza,\u201d which will create a large outdoor area for fans to congregate throughout the year. All of the arena\u2019s entrances will also be upgraded, and a highly-anticipated statue of Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin appears planned for outside one of them<\/a>. MSE also acquired more real estate in Chinatown as part of the deal.<\/p>\n

Leonsis insisted that, despite the steep expense for DC taxpayers, modernizing the nearly 28-year-old arena and expanding his company\u2019s control over the surrounding area downtown will only benefit fans and residents.<\/p>\n

\u201c[We\u2019re] trying to rehab the building, reimagine it to make it modern, make it a much friendlier, much more bespoke experience for the fans because the fans are very demanding now,\u201d he continued. \u201cTickets are expensive, fighting traffic, we kind of have to think of an end-to-end customer experience.\u201d<\/p>\n

In addition to cosmetic upgrades to the exterior, the inside of Cap One is also getting an overhaul. Improvements will be made to the main concourse level, premium club level and suite areas, concession spaces, food and beverage experiences, locker rooms for the Capitals and Wizards, training rooms, the player\u2019s lounge, and the family lounge. Digital renderings of the renovations were released in December<\/a> when Leonsis and DC Mayor Muriel Bowser formally announced the project\u2019s approval.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe also have to do it for the players. We also have to do it for our employees. These have become big businesses,\u201d Leonsis said. He also cited the COVID-19 pandemic as a major driver for giving fans and players a revitalized arena.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe should never take the popularity of the game and competition and the players for granted. We\u2019re lucky in that there\u2019s something about sports that people crave. It\u2019s not just the competitiveness,\u201d he said. \u201cI do believe there is this tribalism of being a part of something bigger, and we really saw that after the pandemic \u2026 We came back after the pandemic, sold out, had our best years ever, and people just crave \u2013 they miss so much the ability to high five, hug people, be able to emote [and] be able to be a part of something.\u201d<\/p>\n

The arena also underwent a $30 million renovation in 2019 and 2020<\/a>, where all 20,000 seats were replaced and concourses upgraded to accommodate fresh dining options. A larger overhead video board and a SkyRing screen were also installed as part of the project.<\/p>\n

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