One year after opening on the St. Elizabeths East campus, CareFirst Arena has quickly emerged as one of Washington, D.C.’s most dynamic destinations for sports, culture and community connection. From nationally recognized sporting events to neighborhood-centered gatherings, the arena has welcomed tens of thousands of visitors — bringing new energy, visibility and pride to the District.
But CareFirst Arena is much more than just a location for sports. Over the past year, it has transformed into a true gathering place. Its inaugural year demonstrates how a modern venue, thoughtfully situated within its neighborhood, can attract audiences from across the region while remaining deeply connected to the community it serves.
Located at the heart of the St. Elizabeths East campus, the arena brings world-class events east of the Anacostia River while inviting visitors from across the region to experience Ward 8 in a new way. Its scale and design create an intimate, high-energy atmosphere that resonates with both fans and performers.
Over the past year, the venue has hosted dozens of public events — from high-profile sporting competitions to community celebrations and its first health fair — establishing the arena as both a premier event space and a welcoming gathering place for local residents. That versatility has fueled a growing reputation beyond the District, including national recognition for the electric environment it brings to professional women’s basketball.
The arena’s impact extends beyond its event calendar. In its first year, arena-related programming generated more than 1,000 volunteer hours, highlighting the role participation plays in building vibrant, connected neighborhoods. Events hosted at the venue have also supported local economic activity, creating jobs, vendor opportunities and increased foot traffic that benefit small businesses in and around the community.
For residents east of the Anacostia River, that visibility matters. Long-standing inequities have shown that access to opportunity and shared spaces often shapes outcomes beyond entertainment. The arena demonstrates how a destination venue can help close those gaps by showing up consistently in the places where people live and gather.
CareFirst Arena was developed through a long-term partnership between CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield and Events DC, grounded in a shared belief that trusted community spaces play a critical role in well-being. While the partnership reflects a decade-long commitment, the focus remains on what happens inside the venue: the events, the connections and the experiences that bring people together.
“Health doesn’t start in a clinic. It starts in our neighborhoods and in the spaces where people already come together,” said Ricardo Johnson, Executive Vice President and Chief Growth Officer of CareFirst. “This arena allows us to show up consistently in Wards 7 and 8 through supporting community-driven events while creating space for connection, opportunity and trust.”
Events DC President and CEO Angie M. Gates highlighted the venue’s integral connection to the community. “Events DC’s historic partnership with CareFirst is a testament to our unwavering commitment to the communities we serve,” Gates said. “CareFirst Arena not only enhances the vibrant energy in the community but also serves as a catalyst for new connections and opportunities.”
As the arena marks its first anniversary, success is measured not only by attendance or national recognition, but by momentum. Looking ahead, the venue will continue to welcome new events and audiences while remaining grounded in the neighborhood that makes it unique. In Southeast D.C., CareFirst Arena is proving that when a space is created for connection, pride and possibility, it becomes far more than a venue — it becomes a destination.