Update: Starting May 14, Washington Capitals, Wizards, and Mystics games can host up to 25% of their maximum capacity, or approximately 5,000 people, in the stands. When the city reopens on June 11, the stadium can begin welcoming fans at full capacity.

D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser in conjunction with city health organizations announced Monday that Capital One Arena and the Entertainment and Sports Arena, where the Mystics play, have been permitted to increase their capacity limits from 10%. Both locations will maintain safety precautions including requiring fans to wear masks, seating people six feet apart, and electronic ticketing.

“Russell Westbrook is making all-time history in the NBA as Bradley Beal is chasing the NBA’s lead scoring record for the season. And the Caps are in the postseason for the seventh consecutive season” said Ted Leonsis, founder and CEO of Monumental Sports & Entertainment, in a press release. “We are thrilled to have the best fans in sports together with us again to see these excellent teams chase championships!”

Original: Some sports fans will soon be able to return to Capital One Arena for Washington Capitals and Wizards games, after D.C. officials approved a waiver request from Monumental Sports and Entertainment to operate the indoor arena at 10% capacity, or 2,100 fans.

Monumental Sports and Entertainment announced Monday that fans will be able to attend the Wizards’ April 21 game against the Golden State Warriors at Capital One Arena. Fans will also be able to return to see the Capitals take on the New York Islanders at the arena on April 27. Both games will be the first played in front of spectators for the first time in more than a year at Capital One Arena.

The teams and Monumental Sports and Entertainment will invite “hundreds of pre-selected frontline workers” to attend both games “in recognition of their efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic,” the organization said in its announcement.

“Our country has been through great stress over the past year, and it has taken a mental toll on all of us, but we know that sports are a great healer. So, we thank Mayor Bowser and her team for approving our vigorous health and safety plan so that some of our passionate Caps and Wizards fans may gather – with the first games being attended by some of our incredible first responders and frontline COVID-19 workers,” Monumental Sports and Entertainment CEO Ted Leonsis said in a statement.

The group said season ticket holders and partners would be given priority for tickets to upcoming games.  Monumental Sports and Entertainment has not yet released information about ticket sales for the general public.

When fans do come back, they’ll be subject to some restrictions on alcohol sales: They’ll only be able to purchase two drinks per person, and concessions and in-seat ordering for alcohol will cut off early.

Earlier in the week, Monumental told the Post that they weren’t expecting a decision on fans in-stadium to come from the city before the end of the teams’ seasons. (The Capitals’ regular season ends May 11; the Wizards, May 16.) “Our staff have worked tirelessly putting in place numerous infrastructure upgrades & health and safety protocols to protect fans & staff,” Leonsis tweeted Monday.

The D.C. Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency, which issues capacity waivers, is also expanding the limits for Nationals Park and Audi Field up to 25%.

The expansion of in-person sporting events comes shortly after a much-longed-for Opening Day at Nationals Park, which was delayed several times by an unfolding COVID-19 outbreak among the players. Meanwhile, Washington Spirit were approved last month to host fans at matches in 2021 at Leesburg’s Segra Field.