Washington Capitals & PWHL Takeover Tour D.C.

ABOUT THIS ENTRY

In January 2026, the Washington Capitals and Monumental Sports & Entertainment transformed the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) Takeover Tour into a first-of-its-kind celebration of women’s hockey in Washington, D.C.—connecting professional athletes with the next generation of girls through the Capitals’ ALL CAPS ALL HER initiative. 

While the Takeover Tour visits markets across North America, the Capitals elevated the event into a multi-day experience that integrated youth hockey, community programming and professional competition. PWHL teams were given full access to Monumental’s NHL-level resources, including Capital One Arena and MedStar Capitals Iceplex, with both teams treated with the same professionalism, preparation and respect as an NHL club. 

The event culminated with 17,288 fans in attendance, setting a new U.S. record for a professional women’s hockey game. By combining world-class facilities with meaningful community engagement, the Capitals created a powerful “see it, be it” moment for the next generation of players. 

How does this represent "Excellence in Engagement"?

The Washington, D.C. PWHL Takeover Tour represents excellence in engagement because it elevated a neutral-site game into a fully immersive professional sports experience for both fans and athletes. 

The Capitals and Monumental Sports & Entertainment demonstrated that supporting women’s hockey goes beyond promotion—it means providing equal platforms, resources and respect. By granting the Montreal Victoire and New York Sirens full access to NHL-level facilities, operational support and game presentation at Capital One Arena and MedStar Capitals Iceplex, the organization ensured the athletes experienced a world-class professional environment. 

At the same time, the event created an electric atmosphere for fans. A sold-out crowd of 17,288 packed Capital One Arena, setting a new U.S. attendance record for professional women’s hockey and transforming the Takeover Tour stop into a landmark moment for the sport.  

Remarkably, the record-setting turnout and energy came even before the typical post-Olympic momentum that often drives surges in interest for women’s hockey, underscoring the power of the experience created in Washington. 

By combining elite athlete treatment, meaningful fan engagement and record-breaking energy inside the arena, the Capitals established a new benchmark for how leagues, teams and venues can deliver unforgettable event experiences in women’s sports. 

Objective

 The Washington Capitals and Monumental Sports & Entertainment had already demonstrated a deep commitment to growing women’s professional hockey in Washington, D.C. by hosting the PWHPA Showcase in 2022 and 2023, introducing the region to elite women’s players and drawing strong support from fans, youth players and the local hockey community. Those events revealed a clear appetite to bring professional women’s hockey back to the nation’s capital. 

When the PWHL launched and began scheduling Takeover Tour games across North America, league executives recognized Washington, D.C. as a market uniquely positioned to elevate the experience.  

Based on past success and Monumental’s reputation for operational excellence, the Capitals were trusted to deliver a premier event environment for both athletes and fans. 

The organization’s objective was to build on that momentum by transforming the Takeover Tour stop into more than a single game. By combining NHL-caliber facilities and resources with youth engagement through the Capitals’ ALL CAPS ALL HER initiative, the goal was to celebrate the growth of women’s professional hockey while connecting the sport’s rising stars with the next generation of players. 

Years of sustained investment in women’s hockey in Washington ultimately culminated in a historic, record-setting moment for the sport. 

Strategy & Execution

The Capitals designed the PWHL Takeover Tour in Washington, D.C. as a multi-day, immersive experience centered on access, authenticity and participation—elements that modern sports fans increasingly value. 

Through the ALL CAPS ALL HER platform, young girls were placed at the center of the event experience. Nearly 200 local players participated in clinics with PWHL athletes and in-game activations including high-five tunnels, bench buddy experiences, starting lineup introductions and intermission scrimmages.  

Behind the scenes, Monumental Sports & Entertainment ensured the athletes themselves experienced a world-class environment. Both teams were granted full access to Capital One Arena, MedStar Capitals Iceplex and the organization’s full operational staff—providing NHL-level locker rooms, practice facilities, broadcast support and game presentation resources. 

The strategy also integrated the event across the Capitals ecosystem. During the Capitals game the night before, PWHL athletes participated in ceremonial moments and jersey exchanges with NHL players, introducing the league to thousands of existing hockey fans. 

This holistic approach—combining elite professional treatment, fan access and youth participation—created an experience that resonated with players, fans and families alike.

Organizations

• Washington Capitals

  Monumental Sports & Entertainment

  Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL)

Featured

• New York Sirens

  Montreal Victoire

Credits

Jessie Thompson
Director, Youth Hockey Development
Washingotn Capitals

Amanda Tischler
Senior Vice President, Marketing
Washington Capitals

Hunter Lochmann
Chief Marketing Officer
Monumental Sports & Entertainment

Zoey Pellowitz
On-Ice Coordinator
Washington Capitals

Andrew Nash
Manager, Youth Hockey Development
Washington Capitals

Michael Janke
Off-Ice Coordinator, Youth Hockey Development
Washington Capitals

Ted Leonsis
Founder, Chairman, Managing Partner, Chief Executive Officer
Monumental Sports & Entertainment

Zachary Leonsis
President of Media & New Enterprises
Monumental Sports & Entertainment

Lakeisha Roberts
Vice President, Booking
Monumental Sports & Entertainment

Zach Lough
Arena Event Manager
Monumental Sports & Entertainment

Jim Van Stone
President, Business Operations & Chief Commercial Officer
Monumental Sports & Entertainment

Chris Sheap
Senior Vice President, Ticket Operations
Monumental Sports & Entertainment

Stephen Kaufman
Director, Ticket Operations
Washington Capitals

Frank O'Brien
Vice President, Marketing
Washington Capitals

Don Fishman
Senior Vice President & Assistant General Manager
Washington Capitals

James Heuser
Vice President, Digital Media
Washington Capitals

Jess Rapfogel
Photographer
Washington Capitals

Megan Eichenberg
Vice President, Corporate Communications
Washington Capitals

Nick Grossman
Publicist
Washington Capitals

Aimee Brillhart
Vice President, Productions
Monumental Sports & Entertainment

Tucker Stuntz
Associate Producer
Monumental Sports & Entertainment

Chuck Kacsur
Senior Art Director
Monumental Sports & Entertainment

Cassidy Lien
Senior Vice President, Event Presentation
Monumental Sports & Entertainment

Alexa Ikeler
Senior Director, Game Presentation
Washington Capitals

Capital One Arena Building Ops Team

Monumental Sports & Entertainment

Washington Capitals Marketing Team

Washington Capitals

Monumental Sports Network Team

Monumental Sports & Entertainment

Monumental Sports Corporate Communications Team

Monumental Sports & Entertainment