Crypto.com Arena

Outside the main entrance, you’ll find the Star Plaza, a public space defined by a collection of bronze statues honoring Los Angeles sports legends. This plaza serves as the formal approach to Crypto.com Arena, a massive venue that anchors the L.A. Live entertainment complex in downtown. The building itself is a key part of the skyline, with a distinctive sloping steel roof that’s now covered in over 1,700 solar panels. The interior is built for scale. Seating is arranged in multiple tiers that can hold around 19,000 for basketball and up to 20,000 for concerts. Most of the seats – about two-thirds of them – are located in the lower bowl, creating a more intimate feel despite the arena’s size. Separating the lower and upper decks are three levels of luxury suites. High above the floor, championship banners and the retired jerseys of the Lakers and Kings hang from the rafters, a constant reminder of the building’s history. Originally opened in 1999 as the Staples Center, the arena was designed to be a year-round workhorse. It’s the home court for the NBA’s Lakers and the WNBA’s Sparks, and the home ice for the NHL’s Kings. Beyond sports, the arena is a primary stop for major international concert tours and is one of the most frequent hosts of the annual Grammy Awards ceremony. A few practical things to know: the entire venue is cashless, so you’ll need a credit card for any purchases. Parking is handled at the adjacent West Hall structure. Specific entrances provide more direct access to certain sections – the "Kobe Entrance," for example, is the best one for seats in the 100-120 range. Food options inside are standard arena fare, with vendors like Wetzel's Pretzels and Dirty Dog.