Mia Khalifa attends Capitals game against Panthers

The Washington Capitals had a famous fan in attendance for their game against the Florida Panthers on Monday.

The matchup already carried plenty of attention due to the competitive history between the two teams, but the presence of a high profile fan added an extra layer of buzz around the arena. Fans seated nearby quickly noticed the familiar face, and social media reactions followed almost instantly as photos and clips began circulating online.

Well-known DC sports supporter Mia Khalifa sat along the glass at Amerant Bank Arena rocking the team’s 2018 Stadium Series jersey.

Sitting along the glass gave Mia Khalifa a front row view of the speed and physicality that defines NHL hockey. Her seat choice also reflected her long standing preference for being close to the action, something she has mentioned before when comparing hockey viewing to other major sports experiences.

“chirp chirp,” she wrote on Instagram along with the hashtag #heatedrivalry. The hashtag is a nod to the popular TV series in which two professional hockey players have a secret romance.

The post quickly drew attention from both hockey fans and followers of the show, blending pop culture with sports fandom in a way that Khalifa often does online. Her ability to connect niche references with mainstream moments has helped her remain relevant across different audiences.

Mia Khalifa also posted several videos to her Instagram Story, where she commented, “you’re gonna see a lot of no. 43 at the Olympics” and “glass>courtside.”

The comments showed her deep familiarity with the sport and its players, something that surprises casual observers who may not associate her with hockey knowledge. Longtime Capitals fans, however, have grown accustomed to seeing her passion for the team on display over the years.

Mia Khalifa, born in Beirut, Lebanon, moved to the United States as a child and grew up in Montgomery County, Maryland. In January 2018, she notably met Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin through Fanatics, calling it the “experience of a lifetime.”

Growing up in the Washington DC area helped shape her loyalty to the Capitals, and she has frequently spoken about how local sports played a role in her sense of belonging after immigrating. That connection has remained consistent even as her career has taken her into global spotlight.

“Met my hero tonight,” she wrote. “I have never felt like more of a child, but in the presence of someone like @aleksandrovechkinofficial, it’s hard not to be humbled. Thank you, Ovi, for being so patient with me when I was a nervous mess.”

Ovechkin commented on the experience years later while speaking to rapper Basta.

“She’s actually a hockey fan,” Ovechkin said via the Gazgolder YouTube channel in 2023, and as translated via Google Translate. “She watches Washington. She came by and took photos with all the players. She’s a real hockey fan.”

The endorsement from one of hockey’s most recognizable stars further cemented Mia Khalifa’s reputation as more than a casual supporter. For many fans, Ovechkin’s words validated what they had already seen through her repeated appearances at games and team events.

Throughout the years, Khalifa has shown off several different Capitals jerseys she owns, including an Andre Burakovsky sweater. She’s also been to countless Capitals games, even attending a few in the playoffs during the team’s Stanley Cup championship run.

Her presence during the playoff run stood out as a sign of genuine loyalty, especially in a sport where bandwagon fandom is often criticized. Khalifa continued attending games regardless of the team’s highs or lows, reinforcing her long term connection to the franchise.

Khalifa was even struck in the chest by a puck during an Eastern Conference Final game against the Tampa Bay Lightning.

“I was sitting behind the glass during a game, and it came shooting over the glass, and it caught me so off guard,” Khalifa told the UK’s Daily Star. “I got to take it home, it was the single greatest souvenir any hockey fan can get: a game-used puck that comes at you and hits you.”

The incident became one of her most memorable hockey stories, often referenced by fans as proof of her dedication. While the moment was startling, she later joked about it online, turning an unexpected accident into a badge of honor among hockey enthusiasts.

Khalifa is currently the founder and creative director at Sheytan.World, a jewelry and bodywear company she started in 2023. In recent years, Khalifa has gotten involved in the fashion world, walking the runway at both London Fashion Week and Barcelona Fashion Week.

Her creative work reflects a shift toward personal expression and entrepreneurship, showing another side of her public identity. Balancing business, fashion, and sports fandom has become part of how she defines herself in recent years.

She is also well known for her advocacy for sex workers’ rights, support for LGBTQIA+ initiatives, and activism on behalf of Palestinian causes.

These causes frequently appear alongside her sports content online, illustrating how she blends activism with everyday interests. For Khalifa, fandom does not exist in isolation, but as part of a broader public voice.

Mia Khalifa, a self-titled “Twitter menace,” is active on social media and recently wrote a column for GQ on her top 10 movies of 2025.

Whether courtside or behind the glass, Mia Khalifa continues to draw attention wherever she shows up, proving that her connection to hockey is both personal and lasting.

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Mia Khalifa, Washington Capitals, Alex Ovechkin, Florida Panthers, NHL fans, Celebrity sports fans, Amerant Bank Arena, Capitals fandom, Hockey culture