Charles E. Smith Athletic Center
The Charles E. Smith Center is a 5,000-seat multipurpose athletic and events arena on George Washington University's Foggy Bottom campus in Washington, D.C.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
The Charles E. Smith Athletic Center, commonly called the Charles E. Smith Center or Smith Center, is a multipurpose indoor arena operated by George Washington University in Washington, D.C. The facility is located on the university's main Foggy Bottom campus, in the city block bounded by 22nd and 23rd Streets and F and G Streets NW. With seating for approximately 5,000 people, it serves primarily as a collegiate athletics venue while also accommodating concerts and other public events. The center opened on November 17, 1975. It was named for Charles E. Smith, a George Washington University trustee who chaired the institution's Committee on University Development. The naming recognizes Smith's role in university development and governance rather than the creation of a commercial consumer brand. In practical terms, the Smith Center functions as a university-owned venue identity attached to athletics, event presentation, and campus facilities. The arena is the home venue for George Washington's men's and women's basketball teams, now known as the Revolutionaries. It also supports several other university sports, including swimming, water polo, gymnastics, and volleyball. In addition to its competition bowl, the complex includes practice courts, a swimming pool, a weight room, and offices for the university's athletic department. These features allow the building to operate as both a spectator arena and a broader training and administration center. The facility has also hosted professional sports and entertainment. From 2014 through 2018, it served as the Washington Kastles' home venue in World TeamTennis. In 2018, the Washington Mystics temporarily used the Smith Center while making a postseason run toward a WNBA championship. The arena has additionally hosted mixed martial arts, including PFL 3 on July 5, 2018, as well as concerts and other events. A major renovation and expansion began in February 2008. The project, reported at a cost of $43 million, was supported in part by a $10 million gift from the Charles E. Smith family. Work was completed before the beginning of the 2010–2011 basketball season, modernizing and expanding the venue while preserving its role as George Washington's principal indoor athletics facility. The Smith Center experienced a notable safety incident on September 11, 2018, when its large video scoreboard, or Jumbotron, fell onto the court during maintenance. No injuries were reported. The scoreboard had reportedly been lowered before the collapse, which may have reduced the risk to people in the building. Despite the incident, the center remains an active George Washington University venue for collegiate competition, training, administration, and selected outside events.
History
The Charles E. Smith Center is a George Washington University athletic and events complex in the Foggy Bottom neighborhood of Washington, D.C. It opened on November 17, 1975, and was named for Charles E. Smith, a university trustee and chairman of the Committee on University Development. The naming reflects Smith's institutional role and connection to the university. The 5,000-seat facility was designed to support George Washington's indoor athletics program. Its principal tenants are the university's men's and women's basketball teams, which use the building for home competition. The complex also accommodates swimming, water polo, gymnastics, and volleyball, and contains practice courts, a swimming pool, a weight room, and athletic department offices. As a result, it serves more functions than a conventional spectator arena: it is simultaneously a competition venue, training site, and administrative base. A substantial renovation and expansion began in February 2008. The project had a reported value of $43 million and received significant family support, including a $10 million gift from the Charles E. Smith family. The work was completed before the 2010–2011 basketball season. The modernization helped maintain the center as George Washington's main indoor athletics venue while improving its ability to host games and other events. The building has periodically served organizations beyond the university. The Washington Kastles used it as their World TeamTennis home from 2014 to 2018. In 2018, the Washington Mystics temporarily played there during their run toward a WNBA championship. The arena has also hosted concerts, mixed martial arts, and other events; PFL 3 took place there on July 5, 2018. On September 11, 2018, the center experienced a significant equipment accident when its Jumbotron collapsed onto the playing surface during maintenance. No injuries were reported. The scoreboard had already been lowered before the fall, a circumstance that may have helped prevent harm. The incident is a notable part of the venue's operational history, but it was not reported as a scandal or a criminal matter. The Smith Center remains an active university facility and an occasional host for external sporting and entertainment events.
- 2018
Professional sports and equipment incident
[1]The venue temporarily hosted the Washington Mystics, staged PFL 3, and experienced the collapse of its Jumbotron during maintenance without reported injuries.
- 2014
Washington Kastles residency begins
[1]The Washington Kastles began using the Smith Center as their World TeamTennis home venue.
- 2010
Renovation completed
[1]The reported $43 million update was completed before the start of the 2010–2011 basketball season.
- 2008
Renovation and expansion begins
[1]A major renovation and expansion project began in February, supported in part by a $10 million contribution from the Charles E. Smith family.
- 1975
Arena opens
[1]The Charles E. Smith Center opened on November 17 as a 5,000-seat multipurpose arena for George Washington University and other events.
Products and positioning
A university-centered multipurpose arena combining collegiate competition, athlete training, athletic administration, and selected professional sports and entertainment events in Washington, D.C.
Sports and events venue · 1975
Multipurpose arena
The main 5,000-seat arena supports George Washington University basketball and other indoor competitions. Its adaptable layout also permits concerts, professional sports, mixed martial arts, and other public events.
University athletics facility · 1975
Athletics and training complex
Beyond the spectator bowl, the complex includes practice courts, a swimming pool, a weight room, and athletic department offices. These spaces support training and operations for swimming, water polo, gymnastics, volleyball, and basketball.
Brand decisions
2008
Proceed with a major facility renovation and expansionStrategyBackground
George Washington University undertook a major update to maintain and expand the capabilities of its principal indoor athletics venue.
Action taken
The university began a reported $43 million renovation and expansion, supported partly by a $10 million gift from the Charles E. Smith family.
Aftermath
The project was completed before the 2010–2011 basketball season and continued the center's role as a university athletics and events facility.
Renovation and expansion cost. $43 million project (2008–2010)
Recent events
- 2018
Washington Mystics temporarily use the Smith Center[1]
Other
The Washington Mystics used the arena as a temporary home while pursuing a WNBA championship run.
- 2018
Smith Center Jumbotron collapses during maintenance[1]
Other
On September 11, the arena's large video scoreboard fell onto the court while maintenance work was underway. No one was injured.
- 2018
PFL 3 held at the Smith Center[1]
Other
The mixed martial arts event PFL 3 was staged at the Washington, D.C., arena on July 5.
- 2010
Major renovation and expansion of the Smith Center completed[1]
Other
A $43 million renovation and expansion project, supported in part by a $10 million gift from the Charles E. Smith family, was completed before the 2010–2011 basketball season.
Sources2 sources
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