Upcoming Washington Wizards dates
Dates and live ticket listings appear here as soon as they are on sale. The guide below covers what to know before you buy.
The Wizards franchise, from Chicago to the District
The Washington Wizards play their home games at Capital One Arena in downtown Washington, D.C., and the NBA regular season runs from October into April. The arena sits on top of the Gallery Place Metro station, which makes it one of the easiest NBA buildings in the country to reach without a car.
The franchise has moved and renamed itself more than most. It began in 1961 as the Chicago Packers, the NBA's first expansion team, became the Chicago Zephyrs, and moved to Baltimore as the Bullets in 1963. It arrived in the Washington area in 1973 as the Capital Bullets, became the Washington Bullets in 1974, and took the Wizards name on May 15, 1997.
- Conference and division: Eastern Conference, Southeast Division.
- Championship: one NBA title, in 1978, over the Seattle SuperSonics in seven games.
- Finals appearances: four, in 1971, 1975, 1978 and 1979.
- Ownership: Ted Leonsis, through Monumental Sports & Entertainment, since June 2010.
- Rivalries: Cleveland, Chicago, Boston and New York, most of them built in playoff series.
The roster and coaching staff change from season to season, so check the team site for the current lineup rather than relying on any guide.
Where to sit at Capital One Arena for basketball
Capital One Arena seats 20,356 for basketball. The bowl has three seating tiers for fans plus suite rings: the 100 level (sections numbered about 100 to 121) around the court, the 200 level club sections (about 200 to 229) in the middle, and the 400 level (about 400 to 433) at the top. Courtside and floor-level seats are sold under the arena's premium names.
Courtside and the first rows
Courtside seats sit at the edge of the court and are the most expensive tickets in the building. They are about proximity, not perspective: from floor level the far end of the court flattens out. Buy them for the experience, not for the clearest view of the game.
The 100 level sideline
For the best view per seat, look at the 100 level along the sidelines, roughly 10 to 20 rows up. That height shows spacing and ball movement while keeping you close to the bench and the floor. Corner sections cost less and still give a good diagonal look at both baskets.
The 200 level club seats
The 200 level is an underrated basketball seat. It sits low enough to feel connected to the floor and high enough to see the whole court at once, and club sections come with their own concourse access. Sideline 200-level seats are often a better view than the back rows of the 100 level.
The 400 level
The upper level is the budget tier and a long way up. Front rows along the sidelines are fine for following the game; back rows in the end sections are the weakest seats for basketball. If you are choosing between a back row in a 400-level corner and a front row closer to midcourt, take the front row.
The schedule and the games in highest demand
The NBA plays an 82-game regular season, 41 games at home, from October to April. The play-in tournament and playoffs run from mid-April into June, with a handful of preseason games in early October.
- Star opponents: the Lakers, Warriors, Celtics and other teams with national stars draw the biggest crowds, including many fans of the visiting team.
- Eastern rivals: Boston, New York, Cleveland and Chicago carry history from past playoff series.
- Weekends and holidays: Friday and Saturday nights and holiday-week games sell tighter than midweek dates.
- Shared building: the NHL's Washington Capitals share the arena, so a Wizards game and a Capitals game can fall on back-to-back days and fill downtown hotels and restaurants.
Midweek games in January and February against Western Conference teams without major stars are usually the easiest way into the building and the best time to try a lower-level seat.
Getting to Capital One Arena and entering the building
Capital One Arena is at 601 F Street NW, in the Chinatown and Penn Quarter neighborhoods. Gallery Place station, served by the Red, Green and Yellow lines, sits directly beneath the arena and has its own arena entrance. For most visitors, Metro is faster than driving, since downtown garages fill and street traffic slows before tipoff.
The arena has several entrances, including F Street, 7th and G Streets, and the Gallery Place Metro entrance. Arriving early gives you time to clear security, especially on nights when a big opponent brings a crowd.
The arena banned backpacks of any size starting with the 2019–20 season, with exceptions for diaper bags and medical bags, and added express lines for guests without bags. Policies change, so check the arena's current guidelines before you go.
When you buy through GoodSeats, your order includes free shipping and no digital transfer fees.
The arena's future and the 2024 decision to stay
In December 2023, team ownership announced plans to move the Wizards and Capitals to a new arena in Alexandria, Virginia. That proposal collapsed by March 2024. D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser then signed an agreement keeping both teams in the District at least until 2050, backed by a roughly 1 billion dollar renovation of Capital One Arena, with 515 million dollars from the D.C. government and completion targeted for 2028.
For ticket buyers, that means the arena is likely to see construction-related changes to concourses, clubs and amenities over several seasons. Check the team or arena site for what is open on the date you plan to attend.
Bullets and Wizards history
The franchise's best years came under the Bullets name. Wes Unseld, the 1969 league MVP, anchored the team for more than a decade, and Elvin Hayes gave it a scoring star.
- The 1978 title: coach Dick Motta's 44–38 Bullets beat Seattle in seven games, and Unseld was named Finals MVP. He remains the only franchise player to win both league MVP and Finals MVP.
- The name change: owner Abe Pollin announced in November 1995 that the Bullets name would change, citing its violent overtones in a city struggling with crime and the assassination of his friend, Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin.
- Michael Jordan in Washington: Jordan became president of basketball operations in January 2000 and returned to play for the team from 2001 to 2003.
- Gilbert Arenas: Arenas signed in 2003 and led the team back to the playoffs in 2005.
- Wall and Beal: John Wall and Bradley Beal led playoff runs from 2014 into 2017, including a Southeast Division title in 2017.
The team has retired five numbers: 10, 11, 25, 41 and 45.
Frequently asked questions
Where do the Washington Wizards play?
At Capital One Arena, 601 F Street NW in Washington, D.C. The arena opened in December 1997 as the MCI Center and was later known as the Verizon Center.
What Metro stop is closest to Capital One Arena?
Gallery Place, on the Red, Green and Yellow lines. The station sits directly under the arena.
Why did the Bullets change their name to the Wizards?
Owner Abe Pollin felt the Bullets name had violent overtones, given crime in the city and the 1995 assassination of his friend Yitzhak Rabin. The Wizards name took effect in 1997.
Are the Wizards moving to Virginia?
No. A 2023 plan to move to Alexandria, Virginia, fell apart in 2024, and the team agreed to stay at Capital One Arena at least until 2050 as part of a renovation deal with D.C.
Have the Wizards won an NBA championship?
Yes, once, as the Washington Bullets in 1978, beating the Seattle SuperSonics in seven games.
Can I bring a backpack to a Wizards game?
Backpacks of any size have been banned since the 2019–20 season, with exceptions for diaper and medical bags. Check the arena's current policy before you go.