MCI CENTER

A-2000-12

Washington Capitals (NHL) (1997–present) Washington Wizards (NBA) (1997–present) Washington Mystics (WNBA) (1998–present) Georgetown Hoyas (NCAA) (1997–present) Washington Power (NLL) (2001–2002)

The Verizon Center (formerly MCI Center) is a sports and entertainment arena in Washington, D.C., USA, named after telecommunications sponsor Verizon Communications, and has been nicknamed the "Phone Booth" because of its association with telecommunications companies. It is located in the Chinatown neighborhood of Washington and sits atop the Gallery Place-Chinatown station on the Washington Metro. The arena is home to the Washington Capitals of the NHL, Washington Wizards of the NBA, Georgetown University men's basketball, and Washington Mystics of the WNBA, and was formerly home to the Washington Power of the NLL from 2001–2002. It seats 20,173 for basketball and 18,277 for hockey.

The arena opened as the MCI Center on December 2, 1997 in downtown Washington's Chinatown. The building replaced the US Air Arena, in Landover Maryland. The arena is largely considered a commercial and cultural success and is regarded as one of the driving catalyst's of the revitalization and gentrification of Washington's Chinatown neighborhood.

Unused 4" x 6" continental size chrome

Arena Series Issue