How do I get to Crypto.com Arena as an away fan?

Fly into Los Angeles (LAX), about 25–30 minutes from downtown. Metro rail is the smart way to skip event traffic: the Pico Station (A Line and E/Expo Line) is about a 2-minute walk, one block from Crypto.com Arena (the former Staples Center). Rideshare white zones are on Chick Hearn Ct and Figueroa St but congest post-event, so walk a block for a faster pickup. Driving uses freeways 10, 101, 110, and 405, and Figueroa backs up heavily before tip-off.

Where do visiting fans sit at Crypto.com Arena?

It's a large arena with good sightlines and no major obstructed views, comfortable throughout, with plenty of history on the walls. Lower-bowl seats are pricier (and star-studded) while the upper deck is good value. Lakers crowds are relaxed and fine for visiting fans.

What food should you get at Crypto.com Arena, and what should you bring?

There are dozens of eateries inside (pizza, sushi, hot dogs, grab-and-go, plus vegetarian/vegan/GF/kosher), with L.A. Live right outside. Note the very strict bag policy: ALL bags are prohibited, including clear bags — only a small clutch/wallet no larger than 5x9x1 (plus medical/parental bags) is allowed. There's no outside food or drink and no re-entry. Confirm the current policy before you go.

Is Crypto.com Arena friendly to away fans, and any insider tips?

Stay downtown and use L.A. Live and the Metro — walkable and easy. Plan for LA traffic if you drive. Take in the Lakers' history and a relaxed crowd, and pair the trip with LA. A comfortable away arena.

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NBA & NHL · Los Angeles Lakers & Kings

Visiting Crypto.com Arena as an Away Fan: The Complete Guide

Q: Where should visiting fans stay for a Lakers game at Crypto.com Arena?

Downtown LA puts you within walking distance of the arena and L.A. Live — the ideal base. Elsewhere in LA (Hollywood, Santa Monica) works if you want the wider city, but expect a drive to downtown.

Q: What is parking like at Crypto.com Arena and when should away fans arrive?

Official arena lots hold 3,300 spaces in 6 lots on a graduated rate, from about $10 for the first couple of hours up to ~$40 for the day. There are 10,000+ more spaces in privately-run lots within a 7–10 minute walk, often cheaper than the official lots. Prepay online to save 10–20%, and note there's no tailgating anywhere at L.A. Live. Arrive early for L.A. Live right outside the arena, a ready-made pregame.

Q: What is the pregame scene like at Crypto.com Arena?

L.A. Live, right outside the arena, is the pregame — a walkable district of restaurants and bars. Downtown LA around it adds more, all within an easy walk before tip-off.

Crypto.com Arena · 1111 S Figueroa St, Los Angeles, California

★ A storied downtown LA arena at L.A. Live

Crypto.com Arena — formerly the Staples Center (renamed in December 2021, though plenty of fans still search the old name) — sits in downtown Los Angeles, attached to the L.A. Live entertainment complex. It's home to the Lakers (NBA), Kings (NHL), and Sparks (WNBA) — three teams, after the Clippers left for the Intuit Dome in 2024 — with bars and restaurants right outside and Metro access at the door. Here's how to do a Lakers or Kings road trip right.

Getting There

Fly into Los Angeles (LAX), about 25–30 minutes from downtown. Metro rail is the smart move to skip event traffic: the Pico Station (A Line and E/Expo Line) is about a 2-minute walk — one block from the arena, and the 7th St/Metro Center hub (B and D Lines) is ~½ mile north, connecting to the A Line. LA Metro actively pushes taking the train to skip the parking and traffic mess.

If you rideshare, the white drop-off zones are on Chick Hearn Ct (eastbound) between L.A. Live Way & Georgia St, and on Figueroa St (southbound) between 12th & Pico — both get congested post-event, so walk a block or two toward the Convention Center for a faster, cheaper pickup. Driving in, you'll use freeways 10, 101, 110, and 405; Figueroa St backs up heavily in the hour before tip-off, so check Waze.

Where to Stay

Downtown LA puts you within walking distance of the arena and L.A. Live — the ideal base.

Elsewhere in LA (Hollywood, Santa Monica) works if you want the wider city, but expect a drive to downtown.

Parking & When to Arrive

The official arena lots hold 3,300 spaces across 6 lots on a graduated rate — roughly ~$10 for the first couple of hours up to ~$40 for the day, varying by event (VIP is in Lot SW; accessible parking in Lots E & W; Lot W for the box office/team store). Beyond those, there are 10,000+ spaces in privately-run lots within a 7–10 minute walk — often cheaper than the official lots. Prepay online to save 10–20% versus drive-up. Note there's no tailgating (prohibited in all L.A. Live/arena lots), and watch the No Parking/Tow zone on Chick Hearn Ct between L.A. Live Way and Figueroa.

Arrive early for L.A. Live right outside the arena — a walkable complex of restaurants and bars that's a ready-made pregame.

Where Visiting Fans Sit

It's a large modern downtown arena (~19,000 for basketball, ~18,000 for hockey) with good sightlines and no major obstructed views, comfortable throughout, with plenty of history on the walls. The lower-bowl sections near the court/ice (100s) are premium (and star-studded), while the upper level (300s) is the value tier. Lakers crowds are relaxed and fine for visiting fans.

Food & What to Bring

There are dozens of eateries inside — pizza, sushi, hot dogs, grab-and-go, with vegetarian/vegan/gluten-free/kosher options — and L.A. Live right outside is packed with restaurants and bars, the real pregame hub.

Very strict bag policy: ALL bags, backpacks, purses, totes, fanny packs, and camera bags — including CLEAR bags — are prohibited. The only things permitted are small clutches/wallets no larger than 5"×9"×1" and medical/parental bags smaller than 14"×14"×6" (subject to search). There's no outside food or drink, no re-entry, and the venue is smoke-free. Confirm the current policy before you go.

The Pregame Scene

L.A. Live, right outside the arena, is the pregame — a walkable district of restaurants and bars.

Downtown LA around it adds more, all within an easy walk before tip-off.

Insider Tips

It's the former Staples Center. Take Metro to Pico Station (a 2-min walk) to skip the traffic; if you drive, parking is $10–40 official (prepay to save) with cheaper private lots a short walk out. Be ready for the strict bag policy — no bags at all, even clear, only a tiny clutch — and note there's no re-entry.

Make L.A. Live your pre/postgame, take in the Lakers' history and a relaxed crowd, and pair the trip with LA. A comfortable, easy away arena.

Plan & Book

Build your Crypto.com Arena trip

Choose each piece — flights into LAX, a hotel in downtown LA near L.A. Live, Lakers tickets, and a rental car if you want to explore LA (Metro covers the game). It adds to your trip below. Nothing books until you're ready.