The Charles E. Smith Center
To ensure the safety of all guests and allow for quicker entry, the Charles E. Smith Center has implemented a no-bag policy to enhance the experience for all guests and to better align GW events with venue management best practices.
Medical bags, and parenting bags no larger than 16” x 16” x 8” will be allowed and will be fully screened. GW Athletics reserves the right to refuse any item that may pose a safety risk, disrupt the event, or violate venue policies or the list of prohibited items.
Q: Why is this policy being enacted now?
A: This better aligns us with industry and venue best practices and puts the priority on safety.
Q: How does this policy align with other venues?
A: Numerous other venues in our region as well as the Atlantic 10 have similar policies, including the largest indoor venue in Washington, DC, Capital One Arena, home of the 2025 A-10 men’s basketball championship and the Washington Wizards and Washington Capitals. The home of the Washington Mystics, CareFirst Arena, also has this policy.
Q: When does it go into effect?
A: The no-bag policy went into effect at the beginning of the 2025-26 season.
Q: Does the no-bag policy exist for all events in Smith Center?
A: Yes
Q: Will Athletics events on the Mount Vernon Campus and at Barcroft Park have a no-bag policy?
A: No, not at this time.
Q: Are there exceptions for certain bags?
A: Clutches no larger than 5" x 7" x 3/4", medical bags and parenting bags no larger than 16" x 16" x 8" will be allowed and will be fully screened.
Q: Can I store my bag on-site?
A: No. For safety reasons, we are not able to store non-permitted bags.
Q: What do I do if I have a non-permitted bag and have nowhere to store it?
A: Unfortunately, we can't allow you access to the building.
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The Charles E. Smith Center has served as the home of the George Washington University Department of Athletics and Recreation for more than 30 years. The facility's primary purpose is housing the majority of GW's 20 intercollegiate varsity sports. Men's and Women's Basketball, Volleyball, Gymnastics, Men's and Women's Swimming and Diving, and Men's Water Polo play all of their home games at the Charles E. Smith Center. In addition to hosting varsity athletics, the Smith Center houses practice space for club sports, classroom space for Exercise Science classes, and office space for the Department of Athletics and Recreation.
In 2008, the Smith Center started a three-year renovation project stimulated by a $10 million donation from the Robert H. Smith Family Foundation, the Charles E. Smith Family Foundation, and Robert P. and Arlene R. Kogod. The renovation, which was completed in May 2011, has transformed the Smith Center into a first class facility, worthy of housing our hard-working student athletes.
In Fall of 2019, more enhancements were made to the Smith Center. The enhancements include an updated concessions concourse that features an interactive Hall of Fame exhibit, a new center-hung video display with 125% more pixels than the previous system, a refurbished and revamped Tin Tabernacle Club, bleacher replacements and a new court design.
Along with the intercollegiate sport events that occur, the Smith Center has also hosted many major events and concerts throughout the years. In the past, popular artists such as Bob Dylan, Maroon 5, Ben Folds, The Beach Boys, the Black-Eyed Peas, blackbear, Ray Charles and Patti LaBelle have performed at Smith Center as well as comedians Dana Carvey, David Spade, Jay Leno, Jon Stewart, Whoopi Goldberg, Jerry Seinfeld, Jimmy Fallon, Hasan Minaj, Michelle Wolf, Michael Che and the late George Carlin and Robin Williams. Sports fans have also enjoyed attending indoor tennis tournaments, USA Women's Basketball games, as well as many camps facilitated by GW coaches and staff.
The Smith Center is also available to host smaller scale events in our two club rooms: The Tin Tabernacle Club and Champions Club. Whether it is a meeting for 10 or a sit down lunch for 75, these premier club rooms can suit your needs. For more information about hosting an event, big or small, at the Smith Center, please e-mail athsched@gwu.edu.
The Smith Center is a landmark and cornerstone of The George Washington University. Come see what happens here for yourself!
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