Crypto.com Arena is downtown Los Angeles’s biggest indoor arena and the home of the Lakers, the Kings and the Sparks. Opened in 1999 as Staples Center, it has hosted NBA championships, the Grammy Awards, the Emmys and countless concerts. It sits at the heart of the L.A. Live entertainment district, surrounded by restaurants, bars and hotels.
This guide covers the teams, the strict bag policy, getting there by Metro, parking and tips for a game or concert.
In this guide
For other big venues, see our guides to Dodger Stadium and SoFi Stadium.
Crypto.com Arena at a glance
- Address: 1111 S. Figueroa St., downtown Los Angeles
- Opened: 1999 (as Staples Center; renamed in 2021)
- Teams: Lakers (NBA), Kings (NHL), Sparks (WNBA)
- Capacity: about 19,000 for basketball and 18,000 for hockey
- Bags: no backpacks, purses or clear bags; small clutches only
- Metro: Pico station (A and E Lines) or 7th St/Metro Center
- Parking: L.A. Live garages; digital pass required for arena lots
Who plays at Crypto.com Arena?
- Los Angeles Lakers: the NBA season runs from October to April, plus playoffs. Lakers games are the hottest tickets in the building.
- Los Angeles Kings: the NHL season also runs from October to April.
- Los Angeles Sparks: the WNBA team plays from May to September.
The Clippers moved to their own arena, the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, in 2024.
The arena also hosts the Grammy Awards, boxing and UFC, concerts and family shows.
Bag policy
Crypto.com Arena has one of the strictest bag policies of any LA venue. Backpacks, purses, totes, fanny packs, camera bags and even clear bags are not allowed. Only small clutches and wallets no larger than about 5 by 9 by 1 inches are permitted. Medical and parenting bags are allowed after screening.
If you arrive with a bag, rent a locker near the Kobe Bryant Entrance through the Binbox app. Better yet, leave it at your hotel or in the car.
Other rules:
- No outside food or drinks, except one unopened plastic water bottle of one liter or less.
- No professional cameras, GoPros, selfie sticks or tripods.
- No smoking, including on patios.
- Re-entry requires a ticket scan on the way out and full security screening on return.
Getting there
- Metro: take the A or E Line to Pico station, across the street from the arena. The 7th St/Metro Center station, served by the A, B, D and E Lines, is about a 10-minute walk. See our LA Metro guide.
- Rideshare: expect heavy traffic and surge pricing after games; walking a few blocks north to Olympic Boulevard or to a hotel can make pickup easier.
- Walking: many downtown hotels are within 10 to 15 minutes on foot.
Parking
L.A. Live and the arena operate several garages and lots around the venue. For events, buy a digital parking pass in advance; phone receipts are not accepted at the gate. Prices vary by event and are highest for Lakers games and big concerts. Cheaper lots are a few blocks north, near the Financial District, and many downtown garages offer event flat rates.
Before and after the game: L.A. Live
L.A. Live is the plaza next to the arena, packed with restaurants, sports bars and entertainment:
- Restaurants and bars for every budget, busy before tipoff.
- The Peacock Theater, a concert venue.
- The Grammy Museum, with exhibits on music history.
- Statues in Star Plaza honoring legends including Kobe Bryant, Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Shaquille O’Neal, Jerry West, Wayne Gretzky and Chick Hearn.
Arena tours
Crypto.com Arena offers VIP tours on select non-event days, taking you behind the scenes to locker rooms, suites and the arena floor. Check the arena’s website for dates and prices.
Tips for your visit
- Leave your bag behind. This is the number one mistake first-timers make.
- Arrive early to see the statues and avoid security lines.
- Use the Metro to skip traffic and parking costs.
- Upper-level seats are cheaper and still have good views of the court and ice.
Frequently asked questions
Can I bring a bag into Crypto.com Arena?
Only small clutches or wallets up to about 5 by 9 by 1 inches. Backpacks, purses and clear bags are not allowed.
Who plays at Crypto.com Arena?
The Lakers, Kings and Sparks. The Clippers moved to the Intuit Dome in 2024.
What is the closest Metro station to Crypto.com Arena?
Pico station on the A and E Lines, across the street.
Was Crypto.com Arena called Staples Center?
Yes. It opened as Staples Center in 1999 and was renamed Crypto.com Arena in 2021.
Are there statues outside Crypto.com Arena?
Yes. Star Plaza has statues of Lakers and Kings legends, including Kobe Bryant, Magic Johnson and Wayne Gretzky.
Photo credits
Featured image: Troutfarm27 / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.
