Events

Capital One Arena showcases flexibility with Trump events

Featured image credit: Capital One Arena

Monumental Sports & Entertainment (MSE) has hailed the operational capability of Capital One Arena and its staff after the venue successfully held two events for the inauguration of President Donald Trump, in close proximity to scheduled sporting events.

On Sunday, the arena hosted then President-elect Trump’s ‘Make America Great Again’ Victory Rally, followed by a viewing event for his swearing-in at the Capitol Rotunda and a modified parade on Monday.

MSE, parent company of Capital One Arena and four other venues throughout the D.C. area, made the arena available to Trump and his team for inauguration-related events weeks ago – a practice the company exercises with every incoming US administration, going back decades.

However, planning for Monday’s event began early Friday, little more than 60 hours before the festivities, when severe weather forced many inauguration events indoors.

The arena’s hosting capabilities were placed to the test, beginning with a Georgetown men’s college basketball game on Friday night, followed by a sold-out Washington Capitals NHL game against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday night.

Due to the quick turnaround needed, the arena’s 35-person changeover crew started work as soon as the final buzzer sounded on the Capitals’ 4-1 victory and converted the arena within less than three hours for the beginning of the inauguration events.

The victory rally welcomed thousands of supporters and fans beginning at 1:30pm EST on Sunday, and the arena conversion process restarted at 6:30pm that night to begin preparations for Monday. To cap the busy weekend, the changeover crew was called back into action after the parade in preparation for Monster Jam’s three-day residency this coming weekend.

All told, throughout Sunday and Monday’s events, Capital One Arena had 1,000 MSE, Aramark Sports + Entertainment, and Contemporary Services Corporation (CSC) staff working together, while 2,000 manhours were provided by local International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) to prep the arena throughout the weekend.

“Our arena sits between the White House and Capitol Hill and is embedded in the fabric of Washington, D.C.,” said Ted Leonsis, founder, chairman, managing partner and CEO at MSE.

“It was our honour to serve a role in our nation’s inaugural ceremonies to celebrate and honour the peaceful transition of power between administrations. We are grateful for the efforts of hundreds of Monumental staff, as well as to D.C. and federal law enforcement, the US Secret Service and everyone who ensured the event was safe and enjoyed by thousands.”

This past weekend’s events took place as MSE formally begins construction on the new Capital One Arena, having received unanimous approval on the development and finance agreements from the D.C. Council last month for the three-year, circa $800m (£646.8m/€765.6m) transformation project.

MSE last week appointed Klutch Sports Group, Legends and Elevate Creative to help deliver the modernisation of Capital One Arena. Klutch Sports Group and United Talent Agency will help guide MSE’s commercial partnership strategy, while Legends will support premium sales efforts. Elevate Creative will offer expertise on brand messaging, team activation and sponsorship integration.

MSE is taking a “360-degree approach” to the project, which aims to be delivered for the 2027-28 season and hopes to set new standards for fan experience and technological innovation. Last month, MSE provided a fresh look at the revamp planned for Capital One Arena as the project officially commenced.

MSE and the District of Columbia agreed last March to renovate the arena after plans were dropped for a new entertainment district in Virginia that would have housed a new home facility for the NBA’s Washington Wizards and Capitals.

The District has committed to financing of $500m towards the renovation. Clark Construction Group, Gensler and CAA Icon have already been appointed as partners for the project.