Staples Center (Los Angeles, California)

Staples Center, officially stylized as STAPLES Center, is a multi-purpose arena in Downtown Los Angeles. Adjacent to the L.A. Live development, it is located next to the Los Angeles Convention Center complex along Figueroa Street. The arena opened on October 17, 1999, and is one of the major sporting facilities in the Greater Los Angeles Area.

It is owned and operated by the Arturo L.A. Arena Company and Anschutz Entertainment Group. The arena is home to the Los Angeles Kings of the National Hockey League (NHL), the Los Angeles Lakers and the Los Angeles Clippers of the National Basketball Association (NBA), and the Los Angeles Sparks of the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA). The Los Angeles Avengers of the Arena Football League (AFL) and the Los Angeles D-Fenders of the NBA D-League were also tenants; the Avengers were folded in 2009, and the D-Fenders moved to the Lakers’ practice facility at the Toyota Sports Center in El Segundo, California for the 2011–12 season.

Staples Center is also host to over 250 events and nearly 4 million guests each year. It is the only arena in the NBA shared by two teams, as well as one of only two North American professional sports venues to host two teams from the same league; MetLife Stadium, the home of the National Football League’s New York Giants and New York Jets, is the other.

The Los Angeles Stadium at Hollywood Park will host both the Los Angeles Chargers and Los Angeles Rams beginning in 2020. Staples Center is the venue of the Grammy Awards ceremony and will host the basketball competition during the 2028 Summer Olympics.

General information

Official website: https://www.staplescenter.com/

Arena capacity:  19,060 (Clippers) 18,997 (Lakers)

Address: 1111 S Figueroa St, Los Angeles, CA 90015, USA

GPS coordinates for the navigator: 34°02′35″N 118°16′02″W

Year of construction: October 17, 1999

Construction cost: $564 million

Seating plan of Staples Center

Club seating at Staples Center is also called Premier Seating. These sections are located just above 100 level sections and extend from corner-to-corner. Their location along the sides and roughly 25 rows from the court make them highly desirable for fans wanting a great view and additional perks.

Ticketholders at Clippers and Lakers games will enjoy in-seat food and beverage service with traditional stadium food and LA specialties. From your seats you’ll be able to order from a specialized menu that also includes beer, wine and liquor. All menu items are priced a la carte (these seats are not all-inclusive).

If you choose to leave the comfort of your extra-padded seat, you’ll have access to the San Manuel Club on the suite level. In addition to upscale dining selections and buffet tables, you’ll have access to a full bar with more than a dozen flat-screen televisions. The Club is a great meet-up place before, during or after the game for those looking to connect with friends or guests in a more lounge-like atmosphere.

Recommended Seats for Kids and Family

Section 114:

• Close to all the entertainment as you’ll be on the lower level;
• McDonald’s and Healthy Kids Taste Club located nearby;
• Lower level is far less steep and easier to navigate.

Section 333:

• Family fun that won’t break the bank;
• Just one section away from McDonald’s as well as Healthy Kids Taste Club;
• Kids will love the bottomless souvenir popcorn nearby!

Recommended Seats for Impressing a Guest

Sections Premier 4, Premier 5, Premier 6 and Premier 13:

• Premier Seating section offering upscale food and drink with in seat service;
• Access to San Manuel Club;
• Near Center Court;
• Private Entrance.

Section 102:

• Breathtaking up-close views of the game and all the entertainment;
• Rub elbows with Hollywood Celebrities;
• Near center court.

Recommended Seats for Partying and Socializing

Section 118:

• Budweiser Lounge located just a few steps away;
• Closest section to the show stopping Los Angeles Cheerleaders;
• Great options for pub style food to pair with your next beverage.

Section 325:

• Consistently one of the lowest priced sections;
• City View Diner located nearby offers draft beer and great snacks.

Section 103:

• Great for a girls night out;
• Sushi and bottled beer available at the nearby Outtakes Bar and Grill;
• Best viewing angle of some of Hollywoods leading men.

Recommended Seats for Great Views of the Court

Sections Premier 5 and Premier 14:

• Center court at great elevation;
• In seat service means limited time away from the action;
• Private entrance makes it easy to get to your seat in time for tip-off.

Section 111:

• Center court;
• Lower level keeps you close to the action;
• Read the lips of players and coaches on the bench as you sit across the court from both benches.

Where to buy tickets?

Tickets for STAPLES Center sports and entertainment events are available at STAPLES Center Box Office located at 1111 S. Figueroa Street. The Box Office is adjacent to Star Plaza, on Chick Hearn Court (formerly 11th Street), between Georgia and Figueroa.

Hours

Monday – Friday:

• Event Days: 10:00 AM – ½ hour after event start;
• Non-Event Days: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM.

Saturday – Sunday:

• Event Days: 10:00 AM – ½ hour after event start
• Non-Event Days: Closed

Box Office Hours – Ticket sales only for Microsoft Theater and The Novo Events:

• Monday – Friday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM;
• Saturday – Sunday: Closed.

Box Office Purchases

Tickets may be purchased directly at the Box Office. STAPLES Center accepts the following methods of payment: Cash, American Express, Mastercard, Visa and Discover. When purchasing tickets with a credit card, you must show a valid photo identification to complete the transaction.

Will Call Pick Up

• Purchaser Pick Up- Tickets may be picked up at the Will Call window of the Box Office two hours prior to the event start time. You must have the credit card used to make the purchase and a valid photo identification to pick up tickets at Will Call. STAPLES Center does not accept Will Call drop off.
• New predictions for soccer, tennis, hockey, basketball, etc. are created every hour.

Flash Tickets

Flash Seats is an ID-based digital ticketing system that allows you to enter an event with any form of convenient digital ID, such as a credit card or a Mobile ID through the Flash Seats mobile app. This concept, similar to the e-ticket in the airline industry, allows you to manage your tickets via the Internet.

Accessible/Disabled Tickets

Accessible/Disabled seating is available on all levels of the arena. Accessible seating and parking are available through staplescenter.com and STAPLES Center Box Office. When ordering accessible tickets, it is important to indicate that you require accessible seating so we can properly seat you.

Purchase Accessible Tickets

• Visit staplescenter.com, find your event, click the “TICKET” link, then click the “Accessible Tickets.”
• Visit STAPLES Center Box Office and request accessible tickets.

Children

Some events require all attendees, regardless of age, to present a ticket for entry. Please check the event ticket policies at the time of purchase.

Children age three (3) and above require a ticket for Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Kings and Los Angeles Sparks games.

Mobile Ticketing

STAPLES Center only accepts and scans tickets off a mobile device if they are within the AXS mobile application or from Lakers Account Manager. Electronic and printed screenshots of tickets will not be accepted. All other PDFs formatted and mobile tickets must be printed to enter the arena. Please make sure you print the tickets on paper prior to arriving at the arena, as printers will not be made available at the arena.

Parking

When attending an event (lasting 3½ hours or more), we recommend the West Garage (Lot W, Gate B, Enter on Chick Hearn Ct.).

The Lakers have consistently ranked second highest in fare (only below the New York Knicks) in the fan cost index (a ranking which lists what a family of four spends at a game). Expect to hand out plenty of moola when attending a game.

Ticket prices vary based on opponent and day of game and can range from $38 – $406 (when they play the Clippers on Christmas Day prices dramatically increase to $99 – $860). The Lakers do have a resale ticket exchange on their website where one may be able to obtain tickets at a lower rate. The lower priced tickets are the ones in the higher rows of the third level where fans with a fear of heights may panic.

Taking the metro to the game reduces the expense of parking. Eating before or after the game also reduces costs.

For a stadium journeyer or even a casual fan, a trip to see the Lakers is an investment and is worth it… once.

How to get there?

Getting to the Staples Center is easy if using public transportation. The Pico Station is just one block from the venue; the 7th St Station is a five minute walk. I’d recommend using the Pico Station. Visit the Metro Trip Planner site to avoid traffic and parking fees when visiting the Lakers.

The Staples Center is located in the heart of downtown Los Angeles, so it is relatively close to four of the major freeways, the 405, 110, 10, and 101. Unfortunately this is Los Angeles and at any hour of the day, these freeways could significantly back up, so leave plenty of time when traveling to the arena.

Plenty of parking garages are available surrounding the LA Live entertainment district. The Staples Center recommends parking in Lot W, Gate B off of Chick Hearn Ct. Rates vary from $10 – $30. Private lots may be available for as low as $9.

If visiting from out of town, LAX Airport is the closest. One can get a $9 one-way bus ride via LA FlyAway to Union Station and then take the purple or red line to Pico Station (and the Staples Center).

Getting into the arena is okay. One walks through a metal detector before getting a ticket scanned. Bags less than 14″ x 14″ x 6″ are allowed and they do not have to be of the clear bag variety.

If planning on purchasing any merchandise, bring your own bag as LA has “gone green.” If forgotten, it’s 10 cents for a plastic bag; $2 for a reusable bag.

Public Transportation

STAPLES Center is located at 1111 S. Figueroa Street in downtown Los Angeles, next to the Convention Center. There are many alternative forms of transportation to STAPLES Center events, including Metro Rail and Metro buses which frequently stop near STAPLES Center.

Directions to STAPLES Center using Metro Rail

From South Bay/Los Angeles International Airport

1. Take the Green Line towards Norwalk.
• Find the best odds for sports betting.
2. Change at Willowbrook Station (formerly Imperial/Wilmington) to the Blue Line towards 7th St/Metro Center Station.
3. Exit Pico Station.
4. Walk West one block on Pico Blvd.
5. Turn right on Figueroa. L.A. LIVE is 2 blocks North on the left.

From North Hollywood/Hollywood

1. Take the Red Line towards 7th St/Metro Center Station.
2. Change at 7th St/Metro Center Station to the Blue Line towards Long Beach.
3. Exit Pico Station.
4. Walk West one block on Pico Blvd.
5. Turn right on Figueroa. L.A. LIVE is 2 blocks North on the left.

OR

1. Take the Red Line towards 7th St/Metro Center Station.
2. Exit 7th St/Metro Center Station.
3. Walk West to Figueroa.
4. Turn left on Figueroa. L.A. LIVE is 4 blocks on the right.

From Pasadena

1. Take Gold Line towards Union Station.
2. Change at Union Station to the Red Line towards North Hollywood or the Purple Line towards Wilshsire/Western.
3. Change at 7th St/Metro Center Station to the Blue Line towards Long Beach.
4. Exit Pico Station.
5. Walk West one block on Pico Blvd.
6. Turn right on Figueroa. L.A. LIVE is 2 blocks North on the left.

OR

1. Take the Gold Line towards Union Station.
2. Change at Union Station to the Red Line towards North Hollywood or the Purple Line towards Wilshire/Western.
3. Exit 7th St/Metro Center Station.
4. Walk West to Figueroa.
5. Turn left on Figueroa. L.A. LIVE is 4 blocks on the right.

From East Los Angeles

1. Take the Gold Line towards Pasadena/Sierra Madre Villa.
2. Change at Union Station to the Red Line towards North Hollywood or the Purple Line towards Wilshire/Western.
3. Change at 7th St/Metro Center Station to the Blue Line towards Long Beach or Expo Line towards Culver City.
4. Exit Pico Station.
5. Walk West one block on Pico Blvd.
6. Turn right on Figueroa. L.A. LIVE is 2 blocks North on the left.

OR

1. Take the Gold Line towards Pasadena/Sierra Madre Villa.
2. Change at Union St/Metro Center Station.
3. Walk West to Figueroa.
4. Turn left on Figueroa. L.A. LIVE is 4 blocks on the right.

From Mid-Wilshire

1. Take the Purple Line towards Union Station.
2. Change at 7th St/Metro Center Station to the Blue Line towards Long Beach or the Expo Line towards Culver City.
• New predictions for soccer, tennis, hockey, basketball, etc. are created every hour.
3. Exit Pico Station.
4. Walk West one block on Pico Blvd.
5. Turn right on Figueroa. L.A. LIVE is 2 blocks North on the left.

OR

1. Take the Purple Line towards Union Station.
2. Exit 7th St/Metro Center Station.
3. Walk West to Figueroa.
4. Turn left on Figueroa. L.A. LIVE is 4 blocks on the right.

From Culver City

1. Take the Expo Line towards 7th St/Metro Center Station.
2. Exit Pico Station.
3. Walk West one block on Pico Blvd.
4. Turn right on Figueroa. L.A. LIVE is 2 blocks North on the left.

From Norwalk

1. Take the Green Line towards LAX/South Bay.
2. Change at Willowbrook Station (formerly Imperial/Wilmington) to the Blue Line Northbound.
3. Exit Pico Station.
4. Walk West one block on Pico Blvd.
5. Turn right on Figueroa. L.A. LIVE is 2 blocks North on the left.

From Long Beach

1. Take the Blue Line towards 7th St/Metro Center Station.
2. Exit Pico Station.
3. Walk West one block on Pico Blvd.
4. Turn right on Figueroa. L.A. LIVE is 2 blocks North on the left.

Metro Bus & Rail

Metro Bus routes service all of Los Angeles and many lines stop near L.A. LIVE including lines 30, 81, 439, 442, 460 and the Silver Line. Metro Rail transportation is also available. To find the route that’s best for you, use the Metro Trip Planner.

DASH

DASH Bus Route F has several stops on Figueroa St. adjacent to L.A. LIVE. For details on DASH service, go to www.ladottransit.com.

Metrolink

Metrolink operates train service within Southern California from Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Riverside, Ventura, Orange, and North San Diego Counties. They now have special weekend passes for only $10 which includes free connections to Metro bus and rail lines that stop nearby. For train schedules and more information visit metrolinktrains.com.

AMTRAK

AMTRAK Train service to Union Station gets you into the heart of Downtown Los Angeles, where you can transfer to Metro Rail. Go to www.amtrak.com for train schedules and information.

Note: Amtrak passengers must purchase a separate ticket to ride the Metro Rail.

L.A. LIVE HOTELS

The 1,001 guest room, 54 story tower hosting The Ritz-Carlton Hotel, Los Angeles and JW Marriott Hotel is the new focal point of the downtown Los Angeles skyline and a beacon for the South Park neighborhood.

Ritz-Carlton Los Angeles

The Ritz-Carlton Hotel, Los Angeles offers signature Ritz-Carlton luxury accommodations in 123 guest rooms. It is the ideal place to stay for headline performers, visiting sports teams and executives doing business at L.A. LIVE and in downtown Los Angeles. Guests enjoy spectacular views of the Westside, South Bay, Pacific Ocean and the Los Angeles skyline.

JW Marriott L.A. LIVE

The 878 guest room JW Marriott Hotel (opened February 15, 2010) offers five-star accommodations in the heart of the L.A. LIVE campus and serves the convention, group meeting and tourist markets. The hotel features more than 77,000 sq. ft. of meeting and amenity space, including multiple restaurants, spas and fitness centers. The exquisite main ballroom is capable of serving 2,000 seated guests.

Capturing the energy of the L.A. LIVE area, the Courtyard Los Angeles L.A. LIVE and Residence Inn Los Angeles L.A. LIVE are the preeminent new hotel destination in the South Park neighborhood of downtown Los Angeles. Newly opened in May 2014, our spacious guest rooms and suites, sophisticated lobby lounge areas and Free Wi-Fi have won the hearts of guests from around the world. Host a private event in our high-tech meeting space, which can accommodate groups up to 400 people, or stay in one of our 393 guest rooms and suites. Courtyard Los Angeles L.A. LIVE.

The Courtyard Los Angeles L.A. LIVE

The Courtyard Los Angeles L.A. LIVE captures the excitement of downtown Los Angeles while striking the perfect balance of comfort and function. Our state-of-the-art spaces to eat, drink, socialize and slumber inspire productivity and encourage relaxation in a friendly yet modern environment. Catch our innovative vibe at Cafe Table 901.

By day, the casual bistro serves healthy breakfast options accompanied by your favorite Starbucks drinks. By night, an array of beers, wines and custom-concocted cocktails complement a menu of hearty meals. Our fitness center, outdoor pool and whirlpool will have you feeling energized and refreshed in no time. The luxurious beds in our well-appointed, tech-savvy guest rooms deliver a sound night’s sleep for an ideal way to wrap up an exciting day at L.A. LIVE.

Residence Inn Los Angeles L.A. LIVE

As the first dual-branded, purpose-built extended stay hotel in downtown Los Angeles, the Residence Inn Los Angeles L.A. LIVE caters to the needs of today’s business travelers, vacationers or those relocating to Los Angeles for work or school. Whether you are visiting for a few days, or a few weeks, we’ll make you feel right at home in the heart of the L.A. LIVE entertainment district. Test drive urban living in downtown Los Angeles when you choose to stay with us in our spacious studios, one- and two-bedroom suites featuring fully equipped kitchens, separate living and sleeping areas and more.

Where to eat?

The cuisine and drink choices at the Staples Center surpass many other major league sports arenas. Keep in mind, the prices also exceed most of the other venues as well.

Concession lines move quickly and only build up during halftime. More choices are available in the main concourse but the upper concourse still has plenty of fare on offer.

The main concourse offers Blake Pizza, B.S. Taqueria (Mexican), Dave’s Doghouse, a deli, Ludo Bird (chicken), Outtakes (salads, gluten free items, sandwiches, sushi), Tap House (beer and bratwurst), several bars as well as a McDonald’s, Wetzel Pretzels and a variety of other food and beverage choices.

The upstairs concourse has Smokehouse BBQ, Wetzel’s Pretzels, additional bars, a McDonald’s, Eats and All In. Near the Smokehouse an outdoor patio can be visited; it has a bar and a great view of LA Live (the downtown entertainment district in Los Angeles). I’d recommend visiting this patio as it captures all the activities happening in LA Live that game day/evening.

Several lounges and bars are available for a visiting fan. These include the DraftKings Fantasy Sports Bar & Lounge and the Black Crown Lounge. At the DraftKings Fantasy Bar, a Stone IPA is $12.25 and other sports bar food is available (nachos w/guacamole, garlics knots, sliders, dogs). Both places have plenty of TV screens to watch the game.

Coca-Cola is the soda provider at the Staples Center with a regular size starting at $6. A good variety of beers are found (the Tap House has a decent selection), and range from $8.50 – $12.25. Most food options will run from $7.50 – $15.

A remarkable variety of choices are available but expect to spend some hefty fees for food at the Staples Center.

Atmosphere

It’s clear the Lakers are the top notch sports team at the Staples Center as the exterior is emblazoned with a Lakers banner and the interior poles are covered with the Lakers logo.

Three levels of seating are provided: the main concourse (lower level), the upper concourse, and the club level.

Seats are cushioned, have cup holders, and average leg room. For those with a fear of heights, getting a seat in the upper level lower than row five or six or in the main concourse would be best. It gets pretty high in the third level.

Assisted Listening Devices (ALD) as well as real time captioning is available on a browser based mobile iPhone or Droid. A limited number of Droid phones are available at guest services. Accessible/disabled seating is available on all levels of Staples Center. Pre-purchasing designated parking when ordering accessible/disabled tickets is recommended.

It’s very dark in the seating area and that’s supposed to be a favorable fan experience called ‘Lights Out’ where the lights are only illuminated on the court. It is too dark to make it enjoyable. It makes fans sitting in the third level feel further from the court, hard to navigate the steps, and fans get blinded for a few second as the probe lights circulate over the seating area. The Lakers have been doing it successfully for years so this is just this fans’ perspective.

After the National Anthem and before the first tipoff, the Lakers provide a stunning, unique introduction. Curtains fall down from the center hung scoreboard and images of Lakers players and game action are silhouetted. It doesn’t last long so be sure to be in your seats just before the National Anthem to witness this feature.

The Lakers have many promotions throughout the season. On the game visited, a purple Lakers Christmas stocking was handed out. The Lakers are participating in a program called Trees for Threes. For each three-point basket the Lakers score at home, a tree will be planted in an LA community neighborhood.

Neighborhood

The Staples Center is a part of an emerging LA Live entertainment district in downtown Los Angeles. LA Live is bustling with energy and fans. It is continuing to grow as a new parking garage, retail area, and apartment complex are being constructed on east side of the Staples Center.

A block or two around the Staples Center before and after games is safe. As with any major metropolis city, just be aware of your surroundings. Individuals asking for money may be encountered. Stay within the LA Live entertainment district and you’ll be fine.

A plethora of restaurants are within a block or two of the Staples Center. Recommended choices include Yard House (sports bar – lots of craft beer choices), Toms Urban (weekend brunch is served), or Original Pantry Cafe. Almost 20 places to eat/drink are in and around the LA Live district; plenty from which to choose to dine.

Other activities near the Staples Center are the Grammy Museum, Regal LA Live movie theater, Lucky Strikes bowling alley, Microsoft Theater – home to the EMMY’s, ESPY’s, American Music Awards and American Idol Finals.

At the game of this review, Microsoft Square (just across from the Staples Center) was all lit up with Christmas decorations and trees and had ice skating available for fans.

Depending on other teams’ schedules, a fan may be able to see the Lakers, Clippers (NBA), and Kings (NHL) in one weekend at the Staples Center.

Within the LA Live district are the Ritz Carlton ($2500/night), JW Marriott ($259/night), Courtyard Los Angeles LA Live ($215/night) and Residence Inn Los Angeles LA Live ($239/night) hotels. A few blocks away (less than .5 miles) is The Milner Hotel ($169/night).

Fans

Over the last few seasons, the Lakers have ranked nine or ten in total NBA fan attendance at a 99.1% – 99.7 % home game occupancy rate so the fans certainly support their team.

Lakers fans are respectable towards visiting fans, so no worries there. They cheer and boo appropriately as the game progresses. The more ardent fans tend to be in the upper level.

It is said Hollywood celebrities often visit the Lakers game. If that’s your thing be on the lookout for a superstar off the court.

Structure and architecture

Staples Center measures 950,000 square feet (88,257.9 m2) of total space, with a 94-foot (28.7 m) by 200-foot (61.0 m) arena floor. It stands 150 feet (45.7 m) tall. The arena seats up to 19,067 for basketball, 18,340 for ice hockey, and around 20,000 for concerts or other sporting events. Two-thirds of the arena’s seating, including 2,500 club seats, are in the lower bowl.

There are also 160 luxury suites, including 15 event suites, on three levels between the lower and upper bowls. The arena’s attendance record is held by the fight between World WBA Welterweight Champion, Antonio Margarito and Shane Mosley with a crowd of 20,820.

History

Long before construction of the Staples Center broke ground, plans for the arena were negotiated between elected city officials, and real estate developers Ed Roski of Majestic Realty and Philip Anschutz. They had acquired the hockey team the Los Angeles Kings and were looking for a new home for their team, which then played at the Forum in Inglewood.

Majestic Realty Co. in conjunction with AEG were scouring the Los Angeles area for available land to develop an arena when they were approached by Steve Soboroff, then president of LA Recreation and Parks Commission. Mr. Soboroff requested that they consider building the arena in downtown Los Angeles adjacent to the convention center. The proposal intrigued Roski and Anschutz and soon a plan to develop the arena, the current Staples Center, was devised.

Months of negotiations ensued between Philip Anschutz and city officials with Ed Roski and John Semcken of Majestic Realty Co. spearheading the negotiations for the real estate developers. The negotiations grew contentious at times and the real estate developers threatened to pull out altogether on more than one occasion. The main opposition came from Councilman Joel Wachs, opposed utilizing public funds to subsidizing the proposed project and councilwoman Rita Walters, who objected parts of it.

Ultimately, the developers and city leaders reached an agreement and construction broke ground and Staples Center opened a year later. It was financed privately at a cost of US$375 million and is named for the office-supply company Staples, Inc., which was one of the center’s corporate sponsors that paid for naming rights. The arena opened on October 17, 1999, with a Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band concert as its inaugural event.

To commemorate the 10th anniversary, the venue’s official web site nominated 25 of the arena’s greatest moments from its first ten years with fans voting on the top ten.

Modifications were made to the arena, including refurbished locker rooms for the Clippers, Kings, and Lakers and the installation of a new high-definition center-hung video scoreboard, replacing the original one that had been in place since the building opened. The Panasonic Live 4HD scoreboard was officially unveiled on September 22, as AEG and Staples Center executives, as well as player representatives from the Clippers (Craig Smith), Kings (Matt Greene), and Lakers (Sasha Vujacic) were on hand for the presentation.