Crypto.com Arena opened on October 17, 1999, as Staples Center in the heart of Downtown Los Angeles, anchoring the L.A. Live entertainment district at 1111 South Figueroa Street. Designed by architecture firm NBBJ and built at a cost of approximately $375 million, the 950,000-square-foot arena quickly became one of the busiest indoor venues in North America, hosting well over 200 events per year.
In December 2021 the arena was renamed Crypto.com Arena after Singapore-based cryptocurrency exchange Crypto.com acquired naming rights in a deal valued at $700 million over 20 years. The venue serves as the shared home of the Los Angeles Lakers (NBA), Los Angeles Kings (NHL), and Los Angeles Sparks (WNBA), and is scheduled to host artistic gymnastics and boxing finals during the 2028 Summer Olympics. Beyond the history, this guide covers what you actually need before you go: tickets, parking, the bag policy, seating, and how to get there.
Quick Answer
Crypto.com Arena is a 950,000-square-foot indoor arena at 1111 S. Figueroa St. in Downtown Los Angeles, home to the Lakers, Kings, and Sparks. Buy tickets through Ticketmaster, AXS, or the box office; standard timed parking in the arena’s own Lot W and Lot E garages runs about $10 for the first two hours with a roughly $40 daily maximum, while event-day flat rates in Lot W’s Gate B can range from about $10 to $50 depending on the event; bags, backpacks, purses, totes, and fanny packs are banned, with only small clutches or medical bags allowed; and the fastest car-free route is Metro’s A Line to Pico Station, about a two-minute walk from the doors.
Stats at a Glance
Location: 1111 S. Figueroa St., Downtown Los Angeles, CA. Opened: October 17, 1999. Teams: LA Lakers (NBA), LA Kings (NHL), LA Sparks (WNBA). Capacity (NBA): 18,910. Capacity (NHL): 18,145. Capacity (Concerts): up to 20,000. Construction cost: approximately $375 million. Naming rights deal: $700 million over 20 years (Crypto.com, effective December 25, 2021).
A Home for Champions
Since opening, Crypto.com Arena has been the backdrop for some of the most celebrated championship runs in professional sports. The Los Angeles Lakers have won multiple NBA titles while playing here, and the Los Angeles Kings captured Stanley Cup championships in 2012 and 2014 on the arena’s ice. The building’s 162 private suites and 2,515 premier seats cater to a high-profile crowd that reflects the city’s entertainment culture.
The arena also holds the distinction of having been the only NBA venue simultaneously shared by two franchises — the Lakers and the Clippers — from 1999 until the Clippers relocated to the new Intuit Dome in Inglewood after the 2023-24 season. The record single-event attendance at the arena stands at 20,820, set during a Margarito vs. Mosley boxing match in January 2009.
From Staples Center to an Olympic Stage
The venue originally carried the Staples Center name under a corporate sponsorship agreement, becoming one of the most recognized arena brands in American sports. When Crypto.com’s $700 million, 20-year naming rights deal took effect on December 25, 2021, it ranked among the largest arena naming deals in history, and the rebranding drew significant public attention amid broader debate over cryptocurrency’s growing footprint in sports.
Looking ahead, the arena’s profile is set to grow further when Los Angeles hosts the 2028 Summer Olympics. Crypto.com Arena will serve as the competition venue for artistic gymnastics and boxing, bringing global audiences to a building that has already hosted the Grammy Awards, major boxing cards, and playoff runs across three professional leagues.
Getting Tickets & Box Office Hours
Crypto.com Arena’s box office sells walk-up tickets and opens special windows on event days — typically about three hours before the event starts, or two hours before events that begin prior to noon. The window sits on Chick Hearn Court, near Star Plaza between Georgia and Figueroa streets, and accepts cash, American Express, Mastercard, Visa, and Discover (a photo ID is required for card purchases).
Most fans buy in advance rather than walking up: Ticketmaster and AXS are the arena’s official outlets for Lakers, Kings, Sparks, and concert tickets, and prices swing widely by opponent, day of the week, and how close to the event you buy. For a ticket to be guaranteed valid, purchase only through the team, the arena, Ticketmaster, or AXS rather than an unverified third-party reseller. Hours and on-sale dates shift with the calendar, so always confirm same-day details before you go.
Parking at Crypto.com Arena
The arena owns roughly 3,300 parking spaces across garages and surface lots ringing the building, with another 10,000-plus spaces in nearby structures within a 7-10 minute walk. The main structures — Lot W (West Garage, with gates B, D, E and F) and Lot E (East Garage) — stay open 6 a.m. to 2 a.m. daily as standard timed parking, starting around $10 for the first two hours with roughly $15 per additional half hour up to a $40 daily maximum, plus city parking tax. Smaller event-day lots like Lot 1, Lot C, Lot 4, and Lot 12 typically open about two and a half hours before tip-off or puck drop and fill up fast for Lakers and Kings games.
On event days, Lot W’s Gate B often switches to a flat event rate (roughly $10 to $50 depending on the event) and generally opens about three and a half hours before events lasting three and a half hours or longer. Booking a spot online in advance through the arena’s own parking page, or a service like SpotHero or ParkWhiz, typically locks in a lower rate than paying at the gate and guarantees you won’t get turned away if a garage fills. Accessible parking is available on a first-come, first-served basis, and EV charging stations in both garages run about $3.50 per hour for the first four hours and $4.50 per hour after that. For a big game, arrive at least 90 minutes early and consider entering from Pico or Venice Boulevard rather than Figueroa Street, which backs up fastest before tip-off.
Bag Policy & Security Screening
Crypto.com Arena runs one of the strictest bag policies among major U.S. arenas. Bags, backpacks, purses, totes, fanny packs, camera bags, and even clear plastic bags are not allowed inside for any event, including Lakers games, Kings games, and concerts. The only bags permitted are small clutches or wallets under 5 inches by 9 inches by 1 inch, and those are still subject to a security check at the gate.
Medical and parental bags (such as diaper bags) get a size exception up to 14 inches by 14 inches by 6 inches, but they must pass through an X-ray machine at a designated screening point — ask any Guest Services staffer for directions when you arrive. If you show up with a bag that doesn’t fit the policy, you can rent a Binbox locker next to the Kobe Bryant Entrance near the LA Kings Monument through the Binbox app rather than being turned away at the door.
Seating Chart & Best Seats
Seating runs in three tiers. The lower bowl (100-level, roughly sections 101-134) sits closest to the action; for Kings hockey the front row is right against the boards, while for Lakers, Clippers-era games, and concerts these sections extend with lettered rows in front of the numbered rows to bring fans even closer to the floor. The 200-level premier ring — home to most of the arena’s 2,515 premier seats and many of its 162 suites — is prized for having the flattest sightline angle in the building.
The upper level (300-level) runs from roughly section 301 in the middle of the arena around to section 334, where it meets back up with 301. It’s the most budget-friendly way to catch a game or show, with a full view of the floor from up top. Because the bowl reconfigures between hockey, basketball, and concert layouts, it’s worth checking the event-specific seating map on Ticketmaster or AXS before you buy — a seat that’s a great hockey view isn’t always positioned the same way for a center-stage concert.
Getting There Without a Car
The fastest car-free route is Metro’s A Line (formerly the Blue Line) to Pico Station, roughly a two-minute walk from the arena’s doors — a convenient option that skips downtown event traffic entirely. The Metro E Line’s Metro Center stop and several downtown bus lines also put you within a short walk. Rideshare pickup and drop-off zones are posted on the arena’s official transportation page and shift periodically for construction or major events, so it’s worth checking before you request a ride, especially for high-demand games.
Planning Your Visit
Because ticket prices, parking rates, and box office hours change with the event calendar, treat the figures above as a general guide rather than the exact price you’ll pay on a given night. The reliable pattern is this: expect to pay a base rate for the first couple of hours of standard garage parking with a daily cap, expect flat event-rate parking for high-demand games and concerts, and expect the box office to open its walk-up window a few hours before doors on event days.
For the current schedule, exact ticket prices, live parking rates, and today’s box office hours, check the official Crypto.com Arena website before you head downtown.
Crypto.com Arena visitor guide FAQs
What bags are allowed inside Crypto.com Arena?
Only small clutches or wallets under 5″ x 9″ x 1″ are allowed, along with medical or parental bags under 14″ x 14″ x 6″ that pass through X-ray screening. Backpacks, purses, totes, fanny packs, and even clear bags are not permitted; oversized bags can be stored at a Binbox locker near the Kobe Bryant Entrance.
How much does parking cost at Crypto.com Arena?
Standard timed parking in the arena’s Lot W and Lot E garages starts around $10 for the first two hours with roughly a $40 daily maximum, plus city parking tax. On event days, Lot W’s Gate B often shifts to a flat event rate that can range from about $10 to $50 depending on the event.
Where should I buy Crypto.com Arena tickets?
Buy through Ticketmaster, AXS, or the arena’s own box office to guarantee your ticket is valid. Prices vary widely by opponent, event, day of the week, and how close to the date you purchase, so avoid unverified third-party resellers.
Is Crypto.com Arena the same building as Staples Center?
Yes. The arena opened in 1999 as Staples Center and was renamed Crypto.com Arena in December 2021 after Crypto.com acquired the naming rights in a $700 million, 20-year deal. The address, teams, and building are unchanged.
What’s the best way to get to Crypto.com Arena without driving?
Take Metro’s A Line to Pico Station, about a two-minute walk from the arena entrance. Downtown bus routes and the Metro Center E Line stop are also within walking distance, and rideshare drop-off zones are posted on the arena’s official site.
How early does the box office open on event days?
The box office window on Chick Hearn Court typically opens about three hours before an event starts, or two hours before for events that begin prior to noon. Confirm the exact time for your event on the official Crypto.com Arena website.
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