Los Angeles NBA Basketball 2026-2027: Tickets and Best Prices

Los Angeles is one of the most important cities in American basketball. There are plenty of fans, but tickets are limited. Tickets for the 2026–2027 season will soon go on sale, so now is the perfect time to secure your seat and experience the NBA’s best plays live. Find out how!

The Californian metropolis is one of the few cities in the United States to boast two teams in the NBA’s top flight, meaning twice as many opportunities to enjoy the best live basketball during the 2026–2027 season.

Los Angeles Lakers

Even those who have never watched an NBA match know the Los Angeles Lakers. Their yellow and purple kit is a true icon, and the team has been home to legendary figures such as Kobe Bryant, Derek Fisher, Magic Johnson and Shaquille O’Neal.

Today, they remain one of the league’s most high-profile franchises, but they are also undergoing a new era following the departure of LeBron James, with Luka Dončić as the new star of the project and players such as Austin Reaves set to take on an even greater role in a squad that retains its ability to turn every match into a spectacle.

In the new 2026–2027 season, the Lakers will be looking to return to the very top of the NBA from the Western Conference, with standout fixtures against historic rivals such as the Boston Celtics, Golden State Warriors and Denver Nuggets. All their home games are played at the Cryptocom Arena (formerly the Staples Centre).

Los Angeles Clippers

With such a famous city rival, standing out has never been easy, but the Los Angeles Clippers head into the 2026–2027 season with a competitive squad and ambitious goals. Although the famous ‘Sacred Buffalo Curse’ has marked part of their history, they now boast established players and young talents who could spring a surprise.

This season, the Clippers will host some of the league’s strongest teams at their home ground, the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, including the Milwaukee Bucks, Phoenix Suns and Dallas Mavericks.

Cryptocom Arena

Opened in 1999 (then known as the Staples Centre), this arena in central Los Angeles has a capacity of around 19,000 for basketball. It is home to the Los Angeles Lakers, as well as the Kings (NHL) and the Sparks (WNBA), and is situated next to the L.A. Live complex with excellent public transport links.

Intuit Dome

The Intuit Dome, located in Inglewood, opened in 2024 as the new exclusive home of the Los Angeles Clippers following their departure from Crypto.com Arena. Driven by the team’s owner, Steve Ballmer, this modern arena has been designed to offer an experience focused almost entirely on basketball, with a capacity of around 18, 000 spectators, a spectacular 360° Halo Board video display and all the amenities needed to enjoy the game to the full.

Whether you want to watch a Lakers or Clippers match, you can find and buy your tickets on the Hellotickets website. In just a few clicks, you can secure your seat at Cryptocom Arena. The process is quick and completely secure. You’ll receive your tickets on your mobile and simply need to show them at the entrance to gain access.

Please bear in mind that these are very popular events (for both teams) and it’s advisable to buy your tickets in advance. If you’d prefer to wait until the day of the event, the Cryptocom Arena ticket office is located near the Star Plaza entrance. It is usually open from 10.00 until half an hour after the start of the event (on match days) and from 10.00 to 18.00 (on non-match days).

As with other sporting events or, for example, airline tickets, tickets for the Lakers and the Clippers are also subject to dynamic pricing. In short, this is a strategy for setting prices based on various factors, such as demand and how close it is to the start of the event.

Other important factors include the opponent’s reputation and track record. Playing against the Atlanta Hawks is not the same as playing against the Boston Celtics. Finally, timing also plays a part. If a match coincides with public holidays or specific times of the year, prices tend to rise.

In the case of the Lakers, the cheapest ticket ranges from €40 to €50. However, Clippers matches are usually affordable for all budgets. With the exception of the most ‘highly anticipated’ fixtures, you can find a ticket for less than €30.

The Lakers usually make the play-offs, so the final games of the regular season are often cheaper. When this happens, fans without a season ticket tend to spend their money on matches against the strongest rivals. Bear in mind that the regular season ends in April.

As for the Clippers, matches played on Mondays, Tuesdays and Sundays (during the regular season) are usually cheaper. Generally speaking, if you want to save money, simply avoid matches against the Cleveland Cavaliers, San Antonio Spurs, Lakers and Oklahoma City Thunder.

Generally speaking, you can save money by buying tickets for pre-season games. These matches are played to help players reach peak fitness. The score isn’t important, but a good show is guaranteed. Each team plays between four and six matches, which take place over around two and a half weeks between September and October.

Cryptocom Arena

(Los Angeles Lakers)

For a premium experience, the seats in the first 10 rows of the ‘Centre Floor’ (side sections 101 and 111) are the most sought-after.

If you’re looking for a balance between price and visibility, rows 11–20 in those same sections or the front seats on level 200 offer an elevated view with quick access to concessions and toilets. Sitting slightly diagonally to the basket improves your view of plays above the rim.

Intuit Dome

(Los Angeles Clippers)
Opened in 2024 and designed for “pure basketball”, this Inglewood venue brings every seat closer to the court. The prime seats are the Courtside and Club Sideline (sections 4–10 and 24–30) directly in front of the centre line.

For great value without breaking the bank, try the front rows of “Terrace 09” and “Terrace 25”, right above centre court, or soak up the atmosphere of The Wall behind one of the baskets (access exclusively for registered fans). Thanks to the compact design, every seat in the first tiers is less than 45 ft from the action, guaranteeing total immersion.

No, this isn’t possible. The Cryptocom Arena is a multi-purpose venue and does not offer guided tours. There is always a concert or other sporting event taking place inside, so access is only granted with a ticket for a scheduled event.

As for the Intuit Dome, the Clippers’ new home opened in 2024, guided tours for the public are not available there either. Access is restricted to match days or special events, although the venue has outdoor areas and squares in the surrounding area that you can explore freely.

If you’d like to visit a stadium in Los Angeles, I’d recommend Dodger Stadium, home to the city’s baseball team. It opened in 1962 and is the third-oldest baseball stadium still in use. It’s located in Echo Park, one of Los Angeles’s hipster neighbourhoods (1000 Vin Scully Avenue).

The 2026–2027 NBA regular season kicks off in mid-October 2026 and ends in mid-April 2027. If a team qualifies for the play-offs — a regular occurrence for the Lakers and less so for the Clippers — the schedule extends from late April to mid-June with the play-offs and, eventually, the Finals.

If you’re looking for cheaper tickets and a more relaxed atmosphere, the regular season is the way to go. On the other hand, if you want to experience the tension at its peak, the play-offs offer decisive matches and electrifying atmospheres.

This season, the derbies between the Lakers and the Clippers are once again one of the highlights. Now, with the Lakers at the Cryptocom Arena and the Clippers at the Intuit Dome, the rivalry is also playing out across two different venues. It’s the timeless story of David versus Goliath: on one side, the city’s most successful franchise; on the other, a team determined to establish itself amongst the elite.

If you’re not an NBA expert, the first thing you need to know is that playing time is running time. When a time-out is called and during time-outs, the clock stops. Each match is divided into four 12-minute quarters, and there’s a 15-minute break between the second and third quarters to allow players to recover their energy.

There’s no limit on the number of substitutions, but each one must be made when the clock is stopped. As for scoring, a basket scored from within the three-point area is worth two points, which becomes three if the shot is taken from outside. Finally, a free throw, similar to a penalty in football, is worth one point. Here are some other rules that will help you understand the game better:

• Since 1954, the NBA has had the 24-second rule. In short, a team has a maximum of 24 seconds to take a shot. It was introduced to prevent defensive strategies that undermine the spectacle
• Whilst it’s hard to imagine basketball without three-pointers, this wasn’t the case before 1980. The rule was introduced to encourage faster and more varied attacking play
• As for travelling, the NBA has always been very lenient, although nowadays this is a cliché. The rule has now been brought into line with the rest of the world. After catching the ball (zero-pass), a player can take two more steps before passing or shooting
• If a player commits six fouls, they are sent off

In the top tier of American basketball, each team sets its own policy. Some impose a height restriction, whilst others prefer to set an age limit. In the case of Los Angeles, the Cryptocom Arena has laid down the rules (which apply to both venues): children under 3 years old get in for free (provided they are accompanied by an adult).

At the Intuit Dome, home of the Clippers, this policy is combined with family-friendly facilities, such as rest areas, nappy-changing facilities and food stalls with children’s options, to make the experience more comfortable if you’re attending with young children.

If you’re travelling to California with your little ones, I recommend reading the post about things to do in Los Angeles with children.

Yes, the Christmas Games are an NBA classic, and the 2026–2027 season will be no exception. It’s a special spectacle that combines the excitement of top-class basketball with the festive atmosphere of the season. Teams and players often wear customised kits or trainers featuring Christmas motifs, and the stands are packed with fans ready to celebrate the festive season in a unique way.

Christmas matches usually pit some of the league’s strongest and most high-profile teams against each other, making them the perfect opportunity to see stars such as LeBron James, Luka Dončić, Kawhi Leonard and James Harden in action. If you’re in Los Angeles around that time of year, attending one of these matches is an unforgettable experience and one of the most special nights on the NBA calendar.

The following section covers tips and advice for match day. The points below provide all the information you need.

Where to eat

Just a short walk from the Cryptocom Arena, you’ll find dozens of restaurants to suit all tastes and budgets. Here are the best ones:

• Fogo de Chão, a little slice of Brazil in Los Angeles. As well as its steaks, it’s known for its ‘all-day’ happy hour (800 S Figueroa Street)
• The Original Pantry, a historic café. It opened its doors in 1924 and offers a menu of traditional American dishes. Its breakfasts are also well worth trying (877 South Figueroa Street)
• Sonoritas, a Mexican restaurant serving delicious tacos. It also has a good cocktail menu (2004 Sawtelle Boulevard)
• Mr. Masala, the best Indian restaurant in the area. It also offers vegetarian options (949 S Figueroa Street)
• Patxi’s Pizza, if you fancy trying a Chicago-style pizza. The reviews are excellent (1011 S Figueroa Street)

Where to park

Located in Downtown Los Angeles, the Cryptocom Arena is easily accessible from the main motorways. If you’ve booked a hire car, you can enter the following addresses (which correspond to the respective car parks) into Google Maps or your sat-nav:

• 1025 South Flower Street (Lot 9)
• 900 Chick Hearn Court (Lot 1)
• 1005 Chick Hearn Court (Lot W)
• 1145 L.A. Live Way (Lot C)
• 888 West Olympic Boulevard (Lot E)

Prices and opening hours vary depending on the operator. As a general rule, they open at 6.00 pm and close at 2.00 am (but do check before leaving your car)

When should you head to the stadium?

Los Angeles is a sprawling metropolis and traffic jams are common. If you’re planning to drive or use public transport (such as a bus, for example), I’d recommend setting off well in advance. It would be a shame to miss the first few minutes of the match.

Wi-Fi

The home of the Lakers and the Clippers has free Wi-Fi. Simply select the ‘Cryptocom Arena Public WiFi’ network and follow the step-by-step instructions on the page. It’s very straightforward. If you don’t want to wait until you’re inside or near the venue, you can use the Wi-Fi at bars, restaurants or your hotel.

Can you bring rucksacks or cameras?

Only if they are very small (35.5 cm x 35.5 cm x 15 cm). As a general rule, you cannot bring in rucksacks, handbags, transparent bags, bum bags or camera bags. You can bring a camera, but it must not exceed the dimensions mentioned above.

How to get to the Cryptocom Arena

• Metro Purple Line: get off at 7th Street station, about 700 metres from the stadium.
• Metro Blue Line: alight at Chick Hearn/Pico Station, practically opposite the venue.
• On foot: easy access from central areas such as L.A. Live or the financial district.

How to get to the Intuit Dome

• Metro Line K: alight at Westchester/Veterans, with a free game-day shuttle service to the stadium.
• Metro Line C (Aviation/LAX): shuttle connection to the venue.
• LA Metro buses: routes 117 and 212, amongst others, with stops near the stadium.
• By car: ample parking available, with the option to book in advance.
• Rideshare (Uber/Lyft): designated area for convenient pick-ups and drop-offs.