Capital One Arena, located in Washington, D.C., is home to the Washington Capitals hockey team and the Washington Wizards basketball team. With a capacity of over 20,000 for sporting events and concerts, Capital One Arena attracts large crowds. This leads many people to wonder – does Capital One Arena accept cash?
Quick Answer
Yes, Capital One Arena does accept cash for certain purchases at the venue. However, cash is not accepted for all transactions. Capital One Arena encourages using credit/debit cards or mobile payments for ease of use throughout the venue.
Cash Accepted at Select Concession Stands
Capital One Arena has over 30 concession stands located throughout the venue. Select concession stands do accept cash as a form of payment. Concession stands that accept cash allow guests to purchase food, beverages, and merchandise items. When paying with cash at concession stands, guests receive any change back in cash.
Concession stands that accept cash are clearly marked with signage stating “Cash Accepted Here.” This makes it easy for guests carrying cash to identify which stands can accommodate cash transactions. Some locations that accept cash include stands on the 100 and 400 levels.
Cash Purchases May Have Slower Service
It’s important to note that paying with cash may result in slower service at concession stands. Employees must manually handle cash payments, provide change to guests, and manage their cash drawers. This can increase transaction times, especially during busy periods. Guests paying with credit/debit cards or mobile pay experience faster transaction speeds.
Cash Not Accepted at All Locations
Despite some concession stands accepting cash, there are many locations at Capital One Arena that do not accept bills and coins. Cash is typically not accepted at the following:
- Main concession stands on the 200 and 300 levels
- Portable concessions carts circulating throughout the arena
- Bars and lounges
- Team store locations
- Box office
These locations only accept credit cards, debit cards, and mobile wallet payments like Apple Pay or Google Pay. There are signs posted that clearly state “Cash Not Accepted.” Guests should plan to use alternative payment methods at these spots.
Why Cash May Not Always Be Accepted
There are a few reasons why Capital One Arena limits cash transactions:
- Speed of service – Cash payments take longer, which can slow down lines and cause crowding issues.
- Security – Carrying large amounts of cash presents security and theft risks for the venue.
- Efficiency – Managing cash inventory and transporting cash is costlier than handling electronic payments.
- Consumer preferences – Most guests prefer to pay with credit/debit cards or mobile wallets for convenience.
By restricting cash to only certain stands, Capital One Arena can provide faster service and accommodate modern payment preferences while still allowing cash as an option.
Policies for Using Cash at Capital One Arena
When paying with cash at Capital One Arena, there are some policies in place:
- Cash is only accepted at designated concession stands marked “Cash Accepted Here.” Cash cannot be used at any other locations.
- Employees do not provide change above $50. Guests should pay with smaller bills.
- Cash transactions may be declined during busy periods if they will severely slow down service.
- Counterfeit money is not accepted. All bills are checked by security markers.
- Employees are not allowed to take bills over $20 at the beginning or end of events due to security protocols.
By following these policies, guests can successfully use cash for purchases at select concession stands in Capital One Arena.
Tips for Paying with Cash
If you want to use cash inside Capital One Arena, here are some tips:
- Look for “Cash Accepted Here” signs to find stands that take cash.
- Bring smaller bills ($20 or less) for faster transactions.
- Expect slower lines during busy periods with cash payments.
- Visit cash-accepting stands earlier in the event before crowds gather.
- Carry a debit/credit card as a backup in case stands stop taking cash temporarily.
- Ask customer service if you need help finding a cash-accepting concession stand.
Following these tips will make your experience using cash easy and convenient. Just be prepared that cash may not be accepted everywhere you go inside Capital One Arena.
Locating ATMs to Get Cash
If you need to withdraw cash while at an event in Capital One Arena, there are over 25 ATMs located throughout the venue. ATMs can be found on every level of the arena.
Popular ATM locations include:
- Main entrance atrium (Near gate E)
- Section 112 near concessions
- Section 219 near concessions
- Section 308 near concessions
- Section 422 near concessions
The ATMs are operated by Cardtronics and allow withdrawals from all major debit/credit cards. There is a $4.99 fee per transaction for using the ATMs. Make sure to locate an ATM early in your visit if you will need cash for concession purchases inside Capital One Arena.
Alternatives to Cash
As many locations inside Capital One Arena do not accept cash, having alternative payment methods is recommended. Some options besides cash include:
Credit/Debit Cards
All concession stands, retail shops, and bars accept Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Discover credit and debit cards. Transactions are quick and seamless when tapping a credit/debit card.
Mobile Wallets
Capital One Arena accepts mobile payments like Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay. Guests simply tap their mobile device to complete transactions easily.
Prepaid Cards
Capital One Arena sells prepaid concession cards that can be loaded with funds and used at all food and beverage locations. Prepaid cards offer convenience without having to carry cash.
Order Pickup/Delivery
The Capital One Arena app allows ordering food and merchandise in advance for pickup or seat delivery. This avoids standing in lines and fumbling for payments.
Relying on alternative payment types ensures you can purchase anything inside Capital One Arena without being limited by cash-only restrictions.
Summary
Capital One Arena does accept cash, but only at select concession stand locations. Cash is not accepted at bars, lounges, retail shops, box offices, or most concession stands due to speed of service and security reasons. Guests wanting to pay with cash should look for “Cash Accepted Here” signage to identify eligible stands. Having alternative payment methods like credit/debit cards and mobile wallets is recommended for a smooth experience purchasing items inside Capital One Arena.
Conclusion
Capital One Arena allows cash payments but prefers credit cards, debit cards, and mobile pay to speed up service and reduce security risks that come with cash handling. By understanding where cash is accepted and having alternate payment types on hand, guests can purchase food, drinks, merchandise, and tickets easily during events at Capital One Arena regardless of their preferred payment method.