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Mayor Bowser: Capital One Arena will be allowed to return to 100% capacity starting June 11

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What seemed farfetched months before is now becoming a reality.

DC Mayor Muriel Bowser announced on Monday during a press conference that Capital One Arena and all large sports venues in the district will have their capacity restrictions lifted on June 11.

That means that if the Washington Capitals make a deep run in this year’s postseason, they could play in front of a full building.

During her press conference, Mayor Bowser also said she expects to approve a waiver from Monumental Sports & Entertainment that would allow the building to have 25 percent capacity by May 15, giving the Capitals a boost for the start of the postseason. The Capitals own the number two seed in the divisional playoffs and have home ice in the first round. The team was previously playing in front of 2,100 fans (10 percent capacity).

“I didn’t know that so this is the first I’m hearing of that,” Capitals head coach Peter Laviolette said. “I think it’s fantastic. The fact that we get to bring more of our fans back in the building. I haven’t experienced it as being a head coach of the Washington Capitals yet, but I’ve been in this building plenty of times and I know the energy that comes in here, and I know how loud it can get, and I know how passionate these fans are. I’m excited to be a part of that and on the right bench to enjoy it.

“It seems like everything’s kinda going that way,” he added. “You walk outside, there’s just a different feel to it. That’d be awesome.”

Laviolette would have to lead the Capitals likely to the Eastern Conference Final to experience a sold-out Capital One Arena.

“That would be a good plan to have in place,” he said smiling.

Ted Leonsis thanked the mayor in a tweet.

Bowser’s announcement comes as several large sporting events were held in Florida recently at or near full capacity including Wrestlemania 37 (Raymond James Stadium; outdoors) and UFC 261 (VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena; indoors). While the coronavirus pandemic continues to rage on (worldwide, it’s the worst it’s ever been), the United States has seen its 7-day average of positive COVID-19 cases fall to 45,817 per the CDC. The United States’ improvement has been spurred on by warmer temperatures and vaccinations. Forty-five percent of the country (58% of American adults) has been administered at least one dose of vaccine (149,462,265 people).

4:16 PM Update: The Capitals began sending out emails this afternoon to season-ticket holders announcing they could host up to 25 percent capacity in the first round of the playoffs.

4:20 PM Update: It’s official.

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