General Information
NFT Map:9
Location:1111 S Figueroa St
Los Angeles, CA 90015
Website:www.staplescenter.com
Box Office: 213-742-7340
Parking:213-742-7275
LA Sparks (WNBA): www.wnba.com/sparks;
213-929-1300
LA Lakers (NBA): www.nba.com/lakers;
310-426-6000
LA Clippers (NBA): www.nba.com/clippers;
888-895-8662
LA Kings (NHL): kings.nhl.com; 213-742-7100
Overview
Zen Master Phil has decamped and the dynasty appears to have ended, but Lakers tickets remain the hottest (and costliest) game in town. Love ‘em or love to hate ‘em, the purple and gold call this behemoth home and share it with the Clippers (not just LA’s Washington Generals, the Clippers are disproportionally popular with our writers and crew, possibly because of cheap tix, probably because they’re actually winning now) and the NHL’s 2012 Stanley Cup winning Kings.
Built in 1999, it’s not only a sports mecca but it’s also big enough to handle, say, the 2000 Democratic National Convention and Jay-Z’s last tour. In stadium years, the STAPLES Center is no spring chicken, but the place still seems modern and is more than capable of handling the 19,000+ fans who flood its gates for the 230+ sports and entertainment events held annually. With concession stands at every turn, and the Fox Sports Sky Box’s rowdy pub open before and after the games, food and booze will never be more than a couple of steps away (but, like all stadium concession stands, they jack up the prices just because they can and the food is mediocre at best).
Add the brand new LA Live center surroundingSTAPLES and you find a glut of excuses to visit the area even in the off-seasons. The Nokia Theater brings brand name acts and between various restaurants, bars, a movie theater, and Lucky Strike Lanes bowling alley, the days of the downtown yawn are over. North of Staples, you’ll find a revitalized downtown with impressive nightlife options for a post-game drink. Even parking isn’t all that bad, given downtown’s cramped layout. And that’s a major victory for any Angeleno right from the get-go.
How to Get There—Driving
The STAPLES Center is located in downtown Los Angeles, near the intersection of Routes 10 (Santa Monica) and 110 (Harbor). The best advice we can offer is to get off of the freeway as soon as possible and make your way to Olympic Boulevard. If you’re coming from the north, take I-5 S (or 101 S) to 110 S (Harbor Freeway/Los Angeles). Exit at Olympic Boulevard and turn left onto 11th Street. Continue past Cherry Street and Georgian Street and the STAPLES Center is on the right. From the south, take the 110 N and exit at Adams Boulevard. Turn left onto Figueroa Street, then make another left at 11th Street.
Parking
Parking at the STAPLES Center is just about as easy as getting your hands on playoff tickets. Lot 7 opens at 8 am for guests visiting the box office, Fox Sports Sky Box, or Team LA store. Lots 1 and C open 2.5 hours before the start of an event. The remaining lots open 90 minutes before an event. The lots at STAPLES Center are overpriced (up to $30), and many are available only to VIPs and season ticket holders. If you’re willing to arrive a little early for an event and walk a few blocks, there is a fair amount of cheaper parking available at various lots. Keep in mind that loading zones downtown are free to park in after six p.m. Though we’d prefer not everyone knew this.
How to Get There—Mass Transit
The Metro Blue Line to Pico will land you just a block from the stadium. Buses 27, 28, 30, 31, 33, 81, 333, 434, 439, 442, 444, 445, 446, and 447 all stop in the vicinity.
How to Get Tickets
Tickets for Sparks, Lakers, Clippers, and Kings games can all be purchased online through Ticketmaster at www.ticketmaster.com or through the individual websites and phone numbers listed above.