When the Capitals competed against the Lightning in the third round, Tampa Bay enforced a dress code that prevented Caps fans from wearing red at the games in Tampa. The Caps have taken this sentiment to another level throughout the playoffs, which means that Vegas Golden Knights fans are actually prohibited from buying tickets to Games Three and Four in DC.
ABC KTNV in Las Vegas reports that only fans with residency in Maryland, Virginia, and DC are able to to buy tickets to Caps home games directly through the team. Residency is established based on the purchaser’s billing address.
Tickets not sold by the Capitals through third parties on sites such as StubHub and Ticketmaster can still be purchased by fans located in Las Vegas.
Although rules like this are not very common ones implemented by professional sports teams, the Caps have had the rule in place since their second round matchup against the Penguins.
The rule is meant “to create a great atmosphere in the building where we want all fans ‘Rocking the Red’ in ALL CAPS,” according to a Capitals spokesperson.
Vegas Golden Knights owner Bill Foley previously expressed dissatisfaction that so many red-clad Caps fans were present at T-Mobile Arena for Games One and Two of the fourth round in Las Vegas. While the Vegas owner consequently requested that StubHub prevent blocks of tickets in the same area being sold to Capitals fans, the Caps’ ticket rule is likely to make sure that the sea of fans rocking the red isn’t hugely interrupted by fans sporting Vegas gear.
Headline photo: Ben Sumner/The Washington Post
