The Washington Capitals’ preseason home opener against the Boston Bruins revealed a new feature at Capital One Arena that redefined the space and seating on one side of the building.
Dozens of lower-bowl seats, including some along the glass, were removed to install two tunnels and walkways near the home and away penalty boxes. Ticketmaster shows on its Capital One Arena map about 10 rows in sections 110, 111, and 112 that are now greyed out and labeled as Vault Suites.
The change is a convenience for members of The Vaults and is the first of five brand-new suite types that will feature Capital One Arena’s most exclusive seating. Per Monumental Sports & Entertainment, The Vaults are “a set of experiential suites set apart from common areas and paired with the best lower-level tickets in the arena.”
More about The Vaults
- The private, high-end suites are accessed by a private lobby and dedicated elevator, accommodating up to 20 people each.
- Features include lounge-style furniture, private bar, tasting room, private restrooms, and access to all arena events, including playoff games, concerts, and special events.
- All-inclusive menu, multi-course meal, complimentary drinks, and exclusive culinary offerings enhance the experience.
Fans at Thursday’s Capitals-Bruins’ preseason game reported that the tunnels by the penalty boxes leading to The Vaults were boarded up, though it’s unclear if that will be the case on Opening Night, Wednesday.
The upgrade is part of a six-phase, $800 million renovation of Capital One Arena that started in earnest during the summer. Construction is expected to be completed in the fall of 2027 per Capitals owner Ted Leonsis.
“[We’re] 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,” Leonsis said in July. “Tickets are expensive, fighting traffic, we kind of have to think of an end-to-end customer experience.”
