Downtown Los Angeles Staples Center

The Staples Center is positioned in the heart of downtown Los Angles, so it is accessible from most significant freeways. It was rapidly built on an 18 month schedule at a price of roughly $300 million. While the seating differs for other tenants such as the Lakers and Clippers , the LA Kings seating potential is listed at 18,118.

The main factor this isn’t Five stars is that there are virtually no decent food choices here. But with LOS ANGELES Live just across Chick Hearn Ct., they are thankfully not too far away. As for the typical claims about this place:

Parking
Those lots with the guys waving the flags, advertising $20 and $25 parking? Those are for visitors!! The Pico Station of the Metro Blue line is ONE BLOCK from the Staples Center. And the Pico Station is ONE STATION away from the 7th/Metro station, that connects you to the Purple and Red Lines.

There isn’t a reason you must park close to Staples Center and pay the exorbitant fees. Even if you can not take the train all the way in, it’s worth finding parking closer to 7th/Metro Center and taking the train down one stop. Additionally, you’ll be outside of the cluster trying to get back on the freeway at 8th or Olympic after the show.

DRINKS
You are going to spend $9 for a beer and nearly as much for red wine. This is pretty common. You’ll find some more elaborate alcoholic options at the Harbor or Figueroa Bars found near each of the main entrances of the building.

Atmosphere
Before fans even set foot on the terrazzo floors in the arena, a rather fascinating vibe is produced from simply walking around the arena and taking in the sights at LA Live. For any given game, you’ll find crowds around the arena taking photos of the statues and trying to get their faces on many of the live tapings outside of the gates. Once the lights dim, fans will see the players walking through a makeshift castle on their way to the ice. The intros are rather long with all sorts of images being shown on the ice, green laser beams illuminating the arena, and a energetic chant of “Go Kings Go” to start off the action.

With numerous transplants in the LA area, you will find many opposing fans originally from different regions attending the games. This leads to some fantastic banter during the game and seems to engage the Kings fans even more. It creates an enjoyable ambiance from the first drop of the puck. The LA fans have had a great showing recently at the Staples Center, making a guest team game a tough ticket to come by. Of all LA-based professional sporting events, the fans here seem to be in their seats for gametime.

Service
Those individuals in the maroon jackets have been extremely effective every time I’ve needed them. On the latest visit, one guy even walked us nearly a quarter around the Center in search of some special masks that had been handed out to prior arrivals.

Lineup
Okay, any artist that performs at the Staples Center will likely be high class. We’ve also got our pro basketball and hockey teams. The Hollywood Bowl is, in my opinion, the only other venue in Los Angeles that brings in the heavy hitting headliner shows.. No, they’re not the personal shows that will allow you to get up close and personal with the performer.

You can go to the Greek, the Gibson, the Forum, the Home Depot Center, or perhaps hop next door to the Nokia Theater, but playing Staples Center is truly an achievement for any performer. We were there recently for Kaskade to not only be the first EDM artist to headline, but also to sell out, Staples Center.

Conclusion
Staples Center was the very first arena in sports to become the long term home of three professional sports teams. While the setting between a hockey game and basketball game are vastly various, the turnover rate to change one to another is rather outstanding. Appreciate the Staples Center for what it is: A Los Angeles landmark and an indelible part of the city’s history.

If you can’t stand expensive parking and costly beverages, but you love stars, basketball games, and people-watching, then I have 3 words for you: WELCOME TO LOS ANGELES.

- Chris Mattos