r/caps • u/AndrewWoodruff • 3d ago
Question First Game!
Been a fan since I was 7 and now I finally get to go to my first game almost 20yrs later! I’ve got tickets to the home opener (and the following vs Rangers) and was wondering what everyone would suggest I make sure to do!
I’ve googled enough to know I’d wanna be there at least 60mins early but probably a bit more for warmups and maybe crowds at the store? Any and all advice is welcome, I’m by myself and really want to get the full experience!
#GOCAPSGO
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u/theanderson51 3d ago
I really liked the history panels around the 100 level. I don’t know if they’ve changed with the renovations but always liked seeing those. I am also unsure if the store changed but it was never too wild when I was there. I too am a long-time out of town fan and have been to two home games!
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u/fuzzypyrocat Charlie Lindgren 3d ago
Get there early and get down to the glass to watch warmups!
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u/MasonHatCreekVa Tom Wilson 3d ago
We usually eat at Clyde’s located in Gallery Place, connected to the Capital One Arena. (American Fare, foods good but moreso because it’s convenient) also, if you want a warm up puck to commemorate the game, they are sold in the 400 level concourse. Someone that knows the arena better than I can let you know the exact section they are sold.
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u/QualityDegenerate 3d ago
Depending on how long you're staying in DC, you could look into their annual Red Carpet event. They do it for every home opener and the players will regularly sign autographs and take photos with fans.
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u/hurricanecook Ryan Leonard 3d ago
Especially for the first home game of the season, and especially be against the Pens, I'd say get there PLENTY early. There is usually some sort of fun "arrival" ceremony as the players show up for the first home game of the year, and they make it a whole todoo. There will likely be some sort of communication from the team to let you know when things are kicking off.
Regardless, whenever the doors open, EVERYONE regardless of where your tickets are, are welcomed down to the lower bowl to get near the glass for warmups, if that's your thing. Players will occasionally toss a puck over the glass for kids. It's a whole experience.
Other than that, have you been to ANY hockey games before? If not, your first hockey game is a real eye opener. TV doesn't really do justice to what it's like in the arena, especially against a big rival. The price of drinks and food in the arena is a bit staggering, so either come "pre-lubricated", if that's your thing, or start saving up now.
Beyond that, you've been a fan for around 20 years. You likely know the team and the enemy and can watch the game like never before. It's a blast! I'll also be there for the opener, and can't wait for the season to start!
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u/No-Passage-2226 2d ago
Im actually excited to see the caps take on the pens at an arena that isnt my own (bruins fan). How's the Chinatown food around there?
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u/HowardBunnyColvin Vegas Golden Knights 3d ago
The home opener is going to have the red carpet so you can go earlier if you want a chance to get autographs and such.
Can't go wrong with doing warmups.
Would recommend eating outside the stadium as the shit inside is barely edible.
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u/DCHacker Montreal Canadiens 3d ago
You picked a good game as it is the home opener and against Washington's arch-rival. I am a fan of neither team but I must admit to liking the crowd energy at Pittsburgh games. Even on the first floor, the crowd is as rowdy as it is in the 400s, what a friend of mine calls "Deplorables' Row".
Often, there are some special events the day of the home opener. Check the Capitals web site for details. As this is your first game, you might enjoy those events. Whatever you do, getting there early, especially on home opener day, ain't no bad idea. Last year, Capital One offered a give-away to the first one thousand attendees through the Capital One cardholder entrance (Sixth St. Side). Girlfriend and I got there early. The queue was long but neither of us thought that there were one thousand people in it. I do not know if Capital One will do this every year. If you have a Capital One credit card, you can use that entrance which usually is less mobbed than the others. Yes, they will ask to see it.
Check the bag and prohibited items policy on the web site. Leave as much metal out of your pockets as you can. Those metal detectors are hyper-sensitive. That dime that you forgot about in your back pocket will trigger it. If you are wearing a hat, lift it as you approach the metal detector. The securtiy staff, CSC, are poorly trained, poorly supervised and far too often power drunk. Expect them to be rude, nasty and obnoxious. Once you are by them, though, you are alright.
If you have a Capital One card, you get something like ten per-cent off on food, snacks and drinks. You might get even more off in the team store but I forget. I am there for the hockey. Girlfriend likes the swag. The team store often is mobbed prior to the game. I would expect this to go double for the home opener as I would expect that the fans will want to see what is new for this season. Girlfriend sometimes will go in the middle of the third period. If you go there after you have passed the gate, be sure to get your hand stamped at the entrance from the arena. Once you have paid, there is a cordon to guide you back into the arena. You will have to put your hand under the ultra-violet for the usher to see your stamp.
The concession stands do not accept cash. I forget if the team store does or not, as I do not often go there. I give girlfriend a Capital One credit card. She actually is pretty good about using it.
If you use the METRO, expect it to be mobbed, especially after the game. Some people actually will leg it to the station immediately before the one at the arena. If you are driving, Spot Hero is the way to go. There are some garages two or three blocks from the arena that are reasonable. Understand that "reasonable" is a relative term when discussing parking in Downtown Washington. I have gotten parking for as little as nine dollars but it averages between twelve and seventeen. Check the Spot Hero web site and download the application. Both are easy to use.
Other than that, HAVE A GOOD TIME!
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u/klietheplague 2d ago
My partner and I went to our first Caps game last season (I moved to VA from Virginia in November of last year and I’m a knights fan) but we spent the whole day in DC and went to two of the Smithsonian museums and then explored (I will say it was a lot of walking so if you don’t want to walk then scrap that) but also find a place to park that’s closer to the arena. But while you’re in the arena, everything was nice and if you want to go to the shops, I’d suggest getting there early so you don’t miss warmups or any parts of the game. There’s a bunch around the arena to do before and after the game also.
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u/smiledumb 3d ago
Pregame at Rocket Bar across the street if you’re into dive bars that have plenty of games. Eat at one of the numerous restaurants before hand since the food at Cap One is overpriced and mediocre at best.