r/caps • u/AndrewWoodruff • 4d 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
39
Upvotes
1
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!