Staples Center

Staples Center
Name	Staples Center
Location	1111 South Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, California, United States
Broke ground	March 1998
Opened	October 17, 1999
Owner	L.A. Arena Company (Anschutz Entertainment Group)
Operator	Anschutz Entertainment Group
Construction cost	$375 million
Architect	NBBJ
Structural engineer	Nabih Youssef
General contractor	PCL Construction
Tenants	Los Angeles Lakers (NBA) (1999–present), Los Angeles Clippers (NBA) (1999–present), Los Angeles Kings (NHL) (1999–present), Los Angeles Sparks (WNBA) (2001–present)
Seating capacity	Basketball: 19,067, Ice hockey: 18,230, Concerts: 20,000

Staples Center is a premier multi-purpose arena located in the South Park district of Downtown Los Angeles. Since its opening in 1999, it has become one of the world's most famous sports and entertainment venues, hosting thousands of events and serving as the home arena for multiple major professional sports franchises. Owned and operated by L.A. Arena Company and Anschutz Entertainment Group, the arena is a central hub for the Los Angeles community and a globally recognized landmark.

History

The development of the arena was spearheaded by Philip Anschutz and Edward P. Roski to provide a modern home for the city's professional teams and revitalize the downtown area. Construction began in March 1998 on a site adjacent to the Los Angeles Convention Center, with the arena opening to the public on October 17, 1999, with a Bruce Springsteen concert. Its opening coincided with the new millennium and marked a significant shift for Los Angeles sports, as the Los Angeles Lakers and Los Angeles Kings moved from the historic The Forum. The venue's naming rights were secured in a landmark deal with the Staples Inc. office supply corporation, a partnership that lasted for over two decades before a subsequent renaming.

Architecture and Design

Designed by the architectural firm NBBJ, the exterior features a sleek, modern aesthetic with extensive use of glass and steel. The structural engineering was led by Nabih Youssef, ensuring the building's resilience in a seismically active region. The interior is configured with multiple seating levels, including luxury suites and club seats, designed to offer premium sightlines for both sporting events and concerts. A distinctive feature is the massive, high-definition scoreboard suspended from the center of the arena, alongside extensive concourses adorned with artwork and displays honoring the achievements of its tenant teams and legendary performers like Magic Johnson and Wayne Gretzky.

Events and Entertainment

Beyond sports, the arena is a top destination for global entertainment, having hosted major concerts by artists such as Madonna, Taylor Swift, and Beyoncé. It has been the site of numerous awards shows, including the Grammy Awards and the ESPY Awards. The venue has also held significant political events, like the 2000 Democratic National Convention, and family shows like the Disney on Ice tour. Its versatility allows it to accommodate everything from UFC pay-per-view events to large-scale conventions, making it one of the busiest venues in the United States according to Pollstar.

Sports Teams

The arena is unique in being the home to four major professional franchises: the Los Angeles Lakers and Los Angeles Clippers of the NBA, the Los Angeles Kings of the NHL, and the Los Angeles Sparks of the WNBA. This shared tenancy has led to a densely packed event calendar and complex logistics, famously requiring rapid floor changes between basketball and hockey configurations. The Lakers and Kings have celebrated multiple championship victories within the building, including the Lakers' titles in the 2000, 2001, 2002, 2009, and 2010 seasons.

Awards and Recognition

The arena has received widespread acclaim within the industry, consistently ranking at the top of Pollstar's annual list of highest-grossing venues worldwide. It has been honored with the Prime Time Emmy Award for Outstanding Live Sports Series for its production work. The building's operations and management have been recognized with awards from the International Association of Venue Managers. Its signature events, such as the NBA All-Star Game in 2004, 2011, and 2018, have been praised for their execution and fan experience.

Impact and Legacy

The construction of the arena was a catalyst for the dramatic redevelopment of the surrounding L.A. Live entertainment complex, transforming a once-underutilized part of Downtown Los Angeles into a vibrant destination. It solidified Los Angeles's status as a major league city and created a central gathering place for millions of fans. The venue has been the backdrop for countless historic moments in sports and pop culture, from Kobe Bryant's legendary performances to memorial services for public figures. Its economic and cultural impact on the city is profound, setting a standard for modern urban arenas and ensuring its place in the history of Los Angeles.

Category:Sports venues in Los Angeles Category:1999 establishments in California Category:National Basketball Association venues Category:National Hockey League venues