featured-image

Verizon Center Hits a High Mark 30 Million in Attendance

Saturday, March 13 marks another high note for Verizon Center garnering the 30 millionth fan to walk through the doors of the 12 year old venue. Recently ranked as the ninth highest grossing venue worldwide by Billboard magazine in the past decade, Verizon Center continues to thrive in the bustling downtown Chinatown neighborhood as it hits 30 million in attendance. Rob Recklaus, and his son Owen, from Rockville, MD, won two season tickets for the Washington Wizards for the 2010-2011 season, and two courtside seats for the March 13 game against the Orlando Magic.

“In today’s marketplace it’s exciting to see Verizon Center’s continued success, especially when we hit 25 million in attendance just two years ago during our tenth anniversary,” said President of Business Operations and Chief Financial Officer Peter Biché. “We exceeded our expectations during the past two years, and hitting 30 million in attendance now is rewarding.”

“Thank you very much! It’s very exciting,” said Rob Recklaus of Rockville, MD. “This sounds fantastic and we’ll definitely be back!”

Twelve years ago Verizon Center opened its doors to the DC metropolitan community and over the years has become a staple for sports and entertainment with over 2,534 events . Nominated for Arena of the Year by leading trade publication Pollstar just two years ago as the venue turned ten, the arena secured another prestigious title in becoming the ninth highest grossing venue worldwide over the past decade by Billboard magazine. Alongside Verizon Center in the top ten grossing venues over the past decade are Madison Square Garden in New York City, Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Staples Center in Los Angeles, and TD Garden in Boston.

Verizon Center is a 20,000-seat arena home to the NBA’s Washington Wizards, the NHL’s Washington Capitals, the WNBA’s Washington Mystics and the NCAA’s Georgetown Hoyas men’s basketball team. The arena hosts over 220 events annually ranging from concerts to family shows to world class tournaments and has spurred $6.2 billion in redevelopment in the surrounding downtown Washington, D.C. community. Last year the arena hosted the 2009 NCAA Men’s Ice Hockey Championship (Frozen Four) for the first time and next year will host the 2011 NCAA first and second rounds of the Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament for the fourth time. For more information please visit www.verizoncenter.com.