The Capitals’ regular season ends May 11, with the playoffs set to start a few days later. The Wizards’ regular season ends May 16. Should they make the playoffs, their postseason would start a few days later.
“All of us [at Monumental] are disappointed with the city’s failure to grant our waiver allowing fans to attend [Capitals and Wizards] games this season,” Monumental CEO Ted Leonsis tweeted. “Our staff have worked tirelessly putting in place numerous infrastructure upgrades & health and safety protocols to protect fans & staff.”
“We have articulated to District officials the numerous infrastructure upgrades and health and safety protocols we have in place to protect fans and staff — which adhere to the guidance issued by the WHO, CDC, DC Health, the NBA & NHL, and with consultation of MedStar Health,” the statement read. “We will continue to work with the District to understand the metrics we must meet to obtain a waiver that will allow us to operate as safely as possible with a reasonable number of fans in the building.”
The Capitals and the Chicago Blackhawks are the only U.S. teams in the NHL with no plans to allow fans in their home arenas. The seven Canadian teams are not permitted to have fans, either.
The Wizards are one of eight NBA teams not allowing fans in their home arenas. The others are the Chicago Bulls, Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Clippers (who will begin allowing fans beginning April 18), Los Angeles Lakers (who will begin allowing fans starting April 15), Oklahoma City Thunder, Portland Trail Blazers and Sacramento Kings.
The Washington Nationals will be allowed to welcome 5,000 fans per game, about 12 percent of Nationals Park’s capacity, when their season opens Tuesday. D.C. United will be allowed to host up to 2,000 fans per match, which is 10 percent capacity of Audi Field; its home opener is April 17.
