Country music star Garth Brooks announced Wednesday that his “Blame It All On My Roots” tour will stop in Washington for a two-night engagement at Capital One Arena on Friday, Sept. 18, and Saturday, Sept. 19. According to the announcement, tickets for both shows will go on sale Friday, Aug. 21, at 10 a.m. ET.
Tour format returns to ‘Drum Pod’ in-the-round stage
The Washington performances are part of a brief arena run that follows shows scheduled in Indianapolis, Denver and Rosemont, Illinois. Brooks said the new dates will revive the Drum Pod stage — an in-the-round setup that places the performer at the center of the arena so fans on all sides have a closer perspective.
“Going back into the arenas is about putting the stadium show in a box,” Brooks said in a statement. “Every seat is a great seat. This is personal.”
The Drum Pod configuration was a prominent feature of Brooks’ arena concerts in the 1990s and played a role on Double Live, which the announcement notes remains the best-selling live album in music history. Representatives also said Brooks will record select performances from the tour for an upcoming live release titled “Killer Live.”
What Washington attendees should know
For local fans considering tickets, the announcement includes a few key details:
- Dates and venue: Sept. 18 and Sept. 19 at Capital One Arena.
- Ticket on-sale: Aug. 21 at 10 a.m. ET. Fans should check official outlets at garthbrooks.com for verified information.
- Stage setup: The Drum Pod in-the-round design aims to provide a more intimate sightline from multiple angles inside the arena.
Capital One Arena, located in downtown Washington, regularly hosts concerts and sports events; two headline nights for a major touring artist typically draw significant crowds. While specific supporting acts, set times and presale windows were not detailed in the announcement, fans should watch artist and venue channels for updates and official presale codes. Official merchandise and any VIP packages are usually described on the artist’s site as well.
Local impacts and considerations
Concerts of this scale can have several practical effects for the city and residents: increased demand for nearby restaurants, bars and hotels; higher transit and rideshare usage around event times; and concentrated foot traffic in the arena’s neighborhood. Attendees planning to use public transportation or rideshare services should allow extra travel time and check WMATA service advisories for the event dates. Parking in downtown can be limited on concert nights, and event security procedures may affect entry points and wait times.
Local businesses that benefit from arena shows often prepare for the surge in customers, while neighborhoods near the venue typically see increased police and venue security presence to manage crowds and traffic. City authorities and the arena usually publish guidance for arrival times, bag policies and prohibited items ahead of big concerts.
Upcoming tour dates (selected)
Brooks’ announcement included a list of early tour stops leading into the Washington dates. Below are the dates released with this announcement:
| Date | City / Venue |
|---|---|
| 08/20 | Indianapolis, IN — Gainbridge Fieldhouse |
| 08/21 | Indianapolis, IN — Gainbridge Fieldhouse |
| 08/22 | Indianapolis, IN — Gainbridge Fieldhouse |
| 08/23 | Indianapolis, IN — Gainbridge Fieldhouse |
| 09/04 | Denver, CO — Ball Arena |
| 09/05 | Denver, CO — Ball Arena |
| 09/10–09/13 | Rosemont, IL — Allstate Arena (multiple shows) |
| 09/18–09/19 | Washington, DC — Capital One Arena |
As with any major tour, details can change; patrons should monitor the artist’s official website and the Capital One Arena calendar for confirmations about show times, support acts and any health or safety protocols specific to the venue.
Fans seeking tickets when they go on sale should confirm purchase through authorized sellers to avoid scalpers and counterfeit listings. Official channels will also be the source for any later-added Washington-area dates or special ticket packages tied to the tour.
This stop marks another high-profile entertainment draw for Washington this fall and will bring one of country music’s most commercially successful performers back to a local arena stage.
