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McDonough Arena, opened in 1951, has seen an array of events from a Grateful Dead concert to basketball and volleyball games.
Georgetown University recently conducted a significant renovation of McDonough Arena, a historic venue and the largest indoor space on the Hilltop Campus.
Many Georgetown Athletics employees said they feel as though the renovations to McDonough Arena will boost the atmosphere and experience for fans while creating a better playing experience for teams.
McDonough Arena, originally opened in 1952, has continuously been home to the women’s basketball and volleyball programs, which continue to be the main draw of fans to the arena. Men’s basketball also played in the arena until 1981, when the team relocated for the first time to Landover, Md. to accommodate a growing crowd, before settling into their current home at Capital One Arena. Since then, the team has occasionally returned to McDonough to play low-attended nonconference games.
McDonough also serves as a concert venue — among the historic acts to play in the arena include Ray Charles, the Who and the Grateful Dead. Following the 1969 Grateful Dead concert — attended by a revelrous crowd of 6,000 — the university banned concerts in McDonough until 1971. Now, McDonough hosts the Georgetown Program Board’s Spring Concert.
Construction on the arena started in mid-May this year, almost immediately following the conclusion of the Spring 2025 semester, and continued until the beginning of the Fall 2025 semester. The building received a new floor, and the university replaced its bleacher seats with stadium seats with backs.
Lee Reed, Georgetown’s athletic director, said the bleacher upgrades represent a step forward for the programs and will create a more comfortable and exciting environment for the students attending games at McDonough.
“The upgrades to McDonough Arena have made an immediate impact in our game presentation and atmosphere,” Reed said. “The court has a fresh and modern look, while the chairback seating gives our fans a comfortable setting to cheer on our student-athletes.”
Another feature of the renovation is additional seating near the baseline, which Reed said will drive a louder atmosphere during home games.
“With additional seating on the baseline, we have increased our vantage points to watch a game and created a true home-court advantage,” Reed said. “We are incredibly grateful to our Georgetown community for their help in these efforts.”
Georgetown women’s basketball Head Coach Darnell Haney said the renovation will improve fan experience and allow players and spectators to more fully enjoy home games.
“The facelift that we’ve received in McDonough Arena is nothing short of amazing,” Haney told The Hoya. “The new seating and gym floor increases and improves our fan experience, adds to our ability to recruit and gives our players and staff a new sense of pride in our home.”
In a video posted to their Instagram, the volleyball team also expressed shocked and excited reactions to the upgrades.
Volleyball Head Coach AJ Bonetti said he is excited to see the arena realizing its full potential.
“The day I stepped foot on campus, I was excited about the potential of McDonough Arena. The potential of what it could become with just a little bit of TLC. I’m so happy to see those improvements already as I start year three at the helm of Hoya volleyball,” Bonetti told The Hoya.
“The improvements that have been completed make this one of the absolute best venues to play in. Our student-athletes have enjoyed the upgraded space, and I’m sure the basketball programs will as well.”
Haney said the women’s basketball team is excited to play in the renovated arena as well.
“Kudos to Lee Reed and the whole team of people who have supported and spearheaded this renovation,” Haney said. “Our group is excited about the opportunity to call this new-look McDonough Arena home.”