WASHINGTON — When the Washington Capitals kick off their 2025-26 campaign, they're in for quite a bit of change, as Capital One Arena is undergoing major renovations that will feature a new state-of-the-art facility and entertainment district.

Monumental Sports & Entertainment welcomed select media to check out the latest renovations

Right now, renovations are primarily focused on the event level, with the players' locker rooms and facilities.

Specifically for the Capitals, their new space will feature ergonomic lockers with drying systems, personalized storage, dressing areas, lounge spaces and new eight and functional training areas. The team will also have recovery facilities, including hot and cold tubs and compression therapy areas.

By October, MSE will debut its Vault Suites, an event-level luxury suite with unlimited food and drink, five-star catering and tunnels that connect to a collection of center, lower-bowl level tickets.

Those are the changes that will be ready by the time the arena opens for the upcoming season. Then, over the next couple of years, MSE will continue to transform the interior and exterior of the entire arena.

Within the arena, the fan experience will change entirely. going into next summer. Concourses will be expanded, allowing more space, and there will be more retail spaces available. There will be a 40 percent increase in the number of available restrooms, and over a 60 percent increase in concession points of sale, while more kitchens will also be operating throughout the arena to give fans more variety, faster service and higher quality food.

For spectating, the seats will improve, going from the black seats to blue seats with cupholders on the armrests for easier accessibility. The Jumbotron will also be replaced after a couple of seasons, with additional screens added to cover all areas.

The exterior is highlighted by a new "Grand Pavilion," a new state-of-the-art facility and hub that will serve as a multipurpose event center for ticketholders that connects seamlessly to the arena. It will feature retail shops and well as a new team store.

Right now, that area is occupied by Gallery Place, where Regal Cinemas, Clyde's of Gallery Place and other restaurants and shops are. Those facilities will not torn down, but instead, incorporated into the new plans and foundation as MSE aims to merge the history of the area with the new experience.

There will also be a new roof that changes colors based on the team (the Capitals share the space with the Washington Wizards, Georgetown Hoyas and Washington Mystics), and there will be screens on the side of the venue, too.

The arena will also have new parking, and will be easier to access from the Metro station, with two entrances, one through the Grand Pavillion and another on F Street.

Overall, MSE's goal isn't just to renovate the arena; it's to provide a new experience for fans and make game days more immersive and accessible. There

The project is expected to be done by 2028.