Whether or not the Capitals make a deep run in the Stanley Cup playoffs this spring, ticket prices for Capitals games at Verizon Center will increase in 2016-17 for the eighth time in the last nine years. Plan holders received season ticket renewal invoices on Wednesday and a team representative wrote that the average ticket price will increase by 8 percent.
The biggest increase is in the lower level non-VIP seats (Center Preferred Select, Lower Preferred Select and Loge Preferred Select), which, beginning next season, will come with complimentary “Monumental Money” concession credits ranging from $250 to $450 per seat. The credits may be used at all concession locations on the 100 and 400 levels, excluding Dunkin Donuts and any cash-only stands. One plan holder emailed to report that the price of his lower level non-VIP seats are increasing by more than 15 percent. (Update: Two other plan holders in lower level non-VIP seats e-mailed to say that their tickets will increase by 27 percent next season.)
The average ticket price of upper level seats will increase by 7.1 percent and club seats will increase by an average of 3.7 percent.
Last year, the price of 41.5 percent of Verizon Center’s seats remained the same or decreased, but two additional rows in the lower level were converted to VIP seats. As a result, the per-game ticket price for plan holders in the converted rows (C and D) increased from $95 to $235. The price of seats in all four VIP rows will increase by an average of 2.7 percent in 2016-17. Starting next season, VIP plan holders will have access to the AK Lounge and Rinkside Club, in addition to the Etihad Airways Lounge.
Another change for 2016-17 is the introduction of pricing tiers for each of the three club level sections (Center, Attack and Defend). Each club level section will now have a front half (rows A-F) and back half (rows G-L).
Plan holders who renew by March 18 will receive a commemorative gift containing authentic pieces of game-used nets from Alex Ovechkin’s 484th goal (which made him the NHL’s top Russian goal-scorer) and 500th goal at Verizon Center.
Capitals season ticket prices have increased each of the last three years after holding firm for the 2013-14 season.
