Rockets at Wizards: travel guide for November 15, 2026
The game
The Houston Rockets visit the Washington Wizards on Sunday, November 15, 2026. Tip-off is 7:00 pm ET at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C. The arena sits in the heart of downtown, in the Penn Quarter and Chinatown area, which makes it one of the easier NBA buildings to reach without a car.
Planning the trip
With two weeks to go, now is a sensible time to lock in flights and a room, since a Sunday night game usually means flying in on Saturday and heading home on Monday. Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport is the closest to downtown, just across the Potomac, with its own Metro station. Washington Dulles International, farther out in Virginia, connects to the city on the Metro's Silver Line, and Baltimore/Washington International has rail service into the city.
Coming by train, Union Station is the city's main rail hub, about a mile from the arena and a short Red Line ride away.
Visiting fans usually stay downtown or in Penn Quarter itself, within walking distance of the arena. Capitol Hill and the area around Union Station are also popular, as are the Arlington neighborhoods across the river, a quick Metro trip from downtown.
On game day
The simplest way in is the Metro. Gallery Place–Chinatown station is right beside the arena and is served by the Red, Green and Yellow lines, so most of the city and the closer suburbs reach it with one train or a single transfer. Rideshare works too, though downtown streets get busy before and after the game, so allow extra time and consider meeting your driver a block or two from the arena. There are parking garages around downtown, but transit is usually the calmer choice on game nights.
Plan to arrive early, since security lines can build close to tip-off. The arena has a bag policy, so check it before you leave. Capital One Arena's own website has the current bag rules, door times, parking details and ticket information.
Around the arena
Penn Quarter and Chinatown form one of the liveliest parts of downtown Washington. The neighborhood is compact and walkable, with plenty of places to eat and drink within a few blocks and museums and galleries close by. The National Mall is a short walk to the south if you have time for some sightseeing before the game.
Before you go
The Rockets head east in good form. Houston has played seven regular-season games so far and is 6-1, tied for the second-best record in the league standings. The season opened with a 128-110 home win over Dallas on October 21, 2026, followed by road wins at San Antonio, 114-110, on October 23 and at Atlanta, 121-114, on October 24. Back home, the Rockets beat Atlanta 120-110 on October 26, then won 132-100 at Milwaukee on October 28.
The only loss so far came at Dallas, 116-111, on October 30. The Rockets answered the next night with a 119-98 home win over Oklahoma City on October 31, 2026.