The Washington Capitals announced their giveaways and promotions for the 2023-24 season and as always, there are some incredible opportunities here.
The team will begin the campaign with its annual magnet schedule giveaway to all fans on Opening Night. There are also several other winners throughout the season, including a fannypack giveaway on 90s Night (November 2 against NYI), a Capitals Hawaiian shirt on Margaritaville Night (March 22 against CAR), and a Darcy Kuemper bobblehead (March 26 against DET).
But the headliner of all headliners is the Sonny Milano Chia Pet giveaway, which is brilliant.
The Capitals announced all of its giveaway and promotional nights via a “CapsAI” video featuring mascot Slapshot.
🏒 Excited to unveil the Washington Capitals' 2023-24 Promotional Calendar! 🎉
Get ready for a season filled with thrilling matchups, exclusive giveaways and unforgettable fan experiences. Mark your calendars and let's cheer for our Caps! 🔥👑#ALLCAPS
(caption by CapsAI)
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) August 28, 2023
The Milano Chia will be given away at Capital One Arena on January 11, 2024, against the Seattle Kraken and celebrates his iconic hair poof.
Screenshot: @Capitals/X
For those who did not grow up in the 90s, let me explain what you’re looking at here. The Milano Chia will allow each Capitals fan to grow a flowering plant on the top of Milano’s head, emulating his real life hair. After you spread seed over the top of the hockey player’s carved terracotta figurine, the chia will sprout and bloom over the period of a few weeks – perfect for the Milano superfan and or horticulturist in your family.
Milano made an impression as big as his hair during his debut season with the Capitals after being passed over by every NHL team as a free agent during the previous offseason. After losing Axel Jonsson-Fjallby and Brett Leason to waiver claims, GM Brian MacLellan signed Milano to a one-year contract in the fall. Milano started with the Hershey Bears but quickly earned a call-up to the big club. Frequently used in the middle six, Milano scored 33 points (11g, 22a) in 64 NHL games with the Capitals.
Milano’s curly-hair poof made him an even more memorable part of the team. According to Tarik El-Bashir, the forward initially grew his hair out as a member of the Anaheim Ducks.
Per Tarik:
Guys, Sonny Milano is a heck of a hockey player, obviously. He’s also got a heck of a head of hair. I was curious as reporters are, so I asked him about it. He said he was in Anaheim during COVID and all the barbers were closed so he let it grow out and the more it grew out the more he liked it. And, now it’s kinda become his look, but here’s the funny part. He said when he got here to DC he had to try a couple of different helmets to find one that felt just right.
I think it’s original, it’s pretty low maintenance as he told me. Just a little coconut oil and he’s good to go.
All of the Capitals’ giveaways are below in the following press release they sent out to media.
Capitals Announce 2023-24 Promotional Schedule
Single Game Tickets for 2023-24 Season Now Available Via Ticketmaster
ARLINGTON, Va. – The Washington Capitals announced today the team’s promotional schedule for the 2023-24 season presented by Capital One, highlighted by several all-fan giveaways, theme nights and unique gift with purchase opportunities.
In addition, the team also announced single-game tickets for the season are now available via Ticketmaster.com. Capitals fans are encouraged to make their ticket purchases directly from the team. Only tickets purchased through the team are guaranteed to be valid. Fans can purchase their tickets through any Ticketmaster sales channel and also through NHL Ticket Exchange. NHL Ticket Exchange is the only guaranteed secondary ticket reseller, and all tickets purchased on NHL Ticket Exchange are verified by Ticketmaster. For more information on Capitals tickets contact 202-266-CAPS or visit WashCaps.com.
This year’s promotional schedule features a unique offering of nearly 30 theme nights, 14 all-fan giveaways and nearly 20 special ticket offers. This includes the debut of a set of music-focused theme nights that feature a pre-game concert at District E with food and drink specials. A special jersey series ticket offer featuring Capitals-themed basketball, baseball, football and soccer jerseys is also included in the schedule.
Promotional calendar highlights this season include:
All-Fan Giveaways
All fan giveaways during the 2023-24 season consist of:
Oct. 13 vs. Pittsburgh Penguins – 2023-24 Schedule Magnet and Light Stick courtesy of GEICO
Oct. 24 vs. Toronto Maple Leafs – Bucket Hat courtesy of Capital One
Nov. 2 vs. New York Islanders – Fanny Pack courtesy of Monumental Sports Network
Nov. 18 vs. Columbus Blue Jackets – Hockey Fights Cancer Jersey Rally Towel presented by Leidos
Nov. 22 vs. Buffalo Sabres – CapsGiving T-shirt
Dec. 20 vs. New York Islanders – Caps Holiday Party Beanie
Jan. 11 vs. Seattle Kraken – Chia Milano Chia Planter
Feb. 26 vs. Ottawa Senators – Celebrating Black History Rally Towel courtesy of Capital One
March 3 vs. Arizona Coyotes – Kids Day giveaway (first 5,000 kids)
March 22 vs. Carolina Hurricanes – Hawaiian Shirt
March 26 vs. Detroit Red Wings – Darcy Kuemper Bobblehead courtesy of Capital One
March 30 vs. Boston Bruins – Blue W T-shirt
April 4 vs. Pittsburgh Penguins – Reusable Tote Bag
April 15 vs. Boston Bruins – Fan Appreciation Night Poster
Theme Nights
Theme nights during the 2023-24 season include:
Oct. 13 vs. Pittsburgh Penguins – Opening Night presented by GEICO
Oct. 27 vs. Minnesota Wild – Oktoberfest presented by Logan’s Sausage
Oct. 29 vs. San Jose Sharks – Hockey Halloween presented by Dunkin
Nov. 2 vs. New York Islanders – 90s Night
Nov. 4 vs. Columbus Blue Jackets – Educators’ Appreciation presented by KPMG
Nov. 8 vs. Florida Panthers – Veterans Day presented by LiUNA
Nov. 14 vs. Vegas Golden Knights – Caps Canines Night pawsented by PEDIGREE Foundation
Nov. 18 vs. Columbus Blue Jackets – Hockey Fights Cancer presented by Leidos
Nov. 22 vs. Buffalo Sabres – #Capsgiving
Dec. 20 vs. New York Islanders – Caps Holiday Party presented by Ticketmaster
Dec. 23 vs. Tampa Bay Lightning – Caps Holiday Party presented by Ticketmaster
Jan. 5 vs. Carolina Hurricanes – Mascot Night
Jan. 7 vs. Los Angeles Kings – Youth Hockey Day
Jan. 13 vs. New York Rangers – Hockey Talks presented by MedStar Health
Jan. 18 vs. St. Louis Blues – Country Music Night
Feb. 6 vs. Montreal Canadiens – Healthcare Heroes Appreciation Night
Feb. 13 vs. Colorado Avalanche – Heart Health Awareness presented by MedStar Health
Feb. 20 vs. New Jersey Devils – Salute to the Military Night
Feb. 26 vs. Ottawa Senators – Celebrating Black History presented by Capital One
March 3 vs. Arizona Coyotes – Kids Day presented by West Virginia Tourism
March 9 vs. Chicago Blackhawks – Women in Hockey presented by GDIT
March 20 vs. Toronto Maple Leafs – Pride presented by Giant
March 22 vs. Carolina Hurricanes – Margaritaville
April 4 vs. Pittsburgh Penguins – Go Green presented by BioSafe
April 13 vs. Tampa Bay Lightning – Rock N Roll Night
April 15 vs. Boston Bruins – Fan Appreciation presented by Bud Light
Special Ticket Offers
The Capitals will also offer an array of special ticket offers. Each special ticket offer will receive a unique gift with purchase item or experience specific to the theme. Season ticket members will have access to purchase the items without purchasing an additional ticket. Further information will be shared at a later date. Special group ticket events during the 2023-24 season include:
Oct. 27 vs. Minnesota Wild – Oktoberfest featuring a Capitals beer stein
Oct. 29 vs. San Jose Sharks – Capitals swim cap
Oct. 29 vs. San Jose Sharks – Capitals scout patch
Nov. 4 vs. Columbus Blue Jackets – Educators’ Appreciation featuring an Educators’ Capitals tumbler
Nov. 8 vs. Florida Panthers – Capitals Soccer jersey
Nov. 14 vs. Vegas Golden Knights – Caps Canines Night featuring a Capitals dog bowl set
Nov. 18 vs. Columbus Blue Jackets – Lacrosse Night featuring a Capitals t-shirt
Jan. 7 vs. Los Angeles Kings – Youth Hockey Day featuring Capitals skate guards
Jan. 16 vs. Anaheim Ducks – First Responders Capitals challenge coin
Jan. 18 vs. St. Louis Blues – Country Night featuring a Capitals cowboy hat
Feb. 6 vs. Montreal Canadiens – Healthcare Heroes Appreciation featuring a Capitals jersey cooler lunchbox
Feb. 11 vs. Vancouver Canucks – Capitals football jersey
Feb. 13 vs. Colorado Avalanche – Law Enforcement Capitals challenge coin
March 9 vs. Chicago Blackhawks – Women in Hockey featuring a Capitals belt bag
March 20 vs. Toronto Maple Leafs – Pride featuring a Capitals Pride-themed beanie
March 20 vs. Toronto Maple Leafs – Capitals basketball jersey
March 24 vs. Winnipeg Jets – Capitals baseball jersey
April 7 vs. Ottawa Senators – Slapshot plush
April 13 vs. Tampa Bay Lightning – Rock N Roll Night featuring a Capitals band T-shirt
Photos of giveaway items
Photos of special ticket offer items
Photos: Capitals/press release
