The Washington Wizards will host the Charlotte Hornets for their home opener Sunday at 6 p.m. at Capital One Arena, with festivities beginning hours before tipoff.
A pregame block party at District E, powered by Ticketmaster, will run from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m., featuring a photo booth, giveaways and interactive games. Fans 21 and older can enjoy specials from Hennessy while DJ Chalant and Kyle on the Mic provide entertainment. Early arrivals will receive free Wizards T-shirts while supplies last. The District Bites menu will offer specials on select appetizers and beverages.
The first 15,000 fans through the doors, which open at 5 p.m., will receive Wizards-branded rally towels courtesy of Capital One.
Additional giveaways scheduled throughout the season include pajama pants designed by guard Bub Carrington (Nov. 25), a Kyshawn George City Edition bobblehead courtesy of Ticketmaster (Jan. 2), a SpongeBob SquarePants co-branded hat (Jan. 4), a Wizards crewneck sweatshirt (Jan. 27), a City Edition-themed hat designed by second-year guard AJ Johnson (Feb. 3), a 2006-09 Wizards replica jersey (March 5) and a G-Wiz Fuzzy Friend (April 1).
The team store at Capital One Arena is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and will open two hours before home games on Sunday and Monday. During home games, the store will remain open through the end of the game. Capital One cardholders receive 20% off purchases when they present and use an eligible credit or debit card at checkout.
Game presentation will feature familiar faces, including PA announcer Mark Fratto, in-arena host Britt Waters and DJ Heat. The Wizards Dancers, Wiz Kids and Wizdom will perform throughout the season, along with mascot G-Wiz. The home opener will feature a halftime show by the Barjot Dunkers.
New food vendors at Capital One Arena this season include Arena Bar & Eats by celebrity chef Spike Mendelsohn, featuring menu items inspired by his restaurants Good Stuff Eatery and Santa Rosa Taqueria. Other additions are Soko Cheesesteaks (section 105), Federalist Pig (sections 107 and 402), Balos (section 120), Insomnia Cookies (sections 107 and 408), 6th Street Taco (section 106), District Dog (section 119) and Capital Classics (sections 103 and 422).
Capital One cardholders receive 10% off all food and beverage items in-arena and can access the building early through the Capital One Cardholder Entrance at Sixth and F streets NW. The first 1,000 fans entering through that entrance Sunday will receive a Wizards bucket hat. The entrance opens at 4:45 p.m., 15 minutes before other entrances.
Tickets for the home opener are available at nba.com/wizards/tickets-2.