If you’ve lived in Los Angeles for more than five minutes, you probably still call it the Staples Center. Honestly, most of us do. It’s hard to just flip a switch on twenty years of history because a Singapore-based cryptocurrency exchange dropped $700 million on the naming rights. When you think about 1111 South Figueroa Street, you don’t think about digital wallets or blockchain. You think about Kobe. You think about Shaq. You think about those purple and gold championship banners hanging from the rafters like laundry on a very expensive clothesline.
It’s been a few years since the sign changed, but the Staples Center remains the psychological heart of downtown LA. It’s where the city grieved, celebrated, and grew up.
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The House That Kobe Built (Literally)
When the arena opened in October 1999, it wasn't just a new building; it was a gamble. Downtown Los Angeles was, frankly, a ghost town after 5:00 PM back then. There was no L.A. Live. There were no high-end lofts. There were just parking lots and a dream that the Lakers and Kings could anchor a massive urban renewal project. Bruce Ratner and Phil Anschutz (the "A" in AEG) bet the farm on it.
The timing was perfect. The Lakers moved in and immediately started winning titles. Three-peats. It’s hard to separate the legacy of the Staples Center from the 20-year career of Kobe Bryant. He played his entire professional life within those walls. From the 81-point game against the Raptors to that final, cinematic 60-point performance against the Jazz, the building felt like it belonged to him. It’s why fans still flock to the "Star Plaza" outside to take photos with the statues.
Did you know the Lakers aren't the only ones there? The Clippers are finally moving out to their own place—the Intuit Dome in Inglewood—but for decades, the Staples Center was the only building in the NBA to host two teams. That meant a "double-header" was a regular occurrence. The changeover crew is the real MVP of the building. They can swap a basketball court for an ice rink for the LA Kings in about two hours. It’s a choreographed chaos of plywood, cooling pipes, and heavy machinery.
Why the Staples Center name actually mattered
Names are weird. Staples is an office supply store. It’s not inherently "cool." But over two decades, the brand became synonymous with excellence. When the news broke in late 2021 that the name was changing to Crypto.com Arena, the internet basically melted down. People felt like a piece of their childhood was being sold to the highest bidder.
But here’s the reality: naming rights are just business. Staples paid roughly $100 million for a 20-year deal back in 1999. By 2021, that price tag had septupled.
- The Crypto.com deal is one of the richest in sports history.
- It funded massive renovations that the building desperately needed.
- New LED screens, "tunnel clubs," and upgraded concessions don't pay for themselves.
Still, if you tell a Lyft driver to take you to "Crypto," they might hesitate for a second. If you say "Staples," they’re already merging onto the 110. It’s a local shibboleth.
More Than Just Hoops and Pucks
If you only go there for sports, you’re missing half the story. The Grammys have called this place home for the vast majority of the last twenty years. It’s where Taylor Swift set records and where Beyonce delivered legendary performances. The acoustics in a massive concrete bowl are notoriously tricky, but the Staples Center (fine, Crypto.com Arena) has a specific rigging system designed to handle the massive weight of concert lighting that would crush lesser buildings.
Then there’s the sad stuff. The memorials. Michael Jackson's funeral was held here. Nipsey Hussle’s memorial service brought the entire city to a standstill. And of course, the celebration of life for Kobe and Gianna Bryant. That day in February 2020 changed the energy of the building forever. It became a cathedral.
What it’s like to actually see a game there today
If you’re planning a trip, don't just show up at tip-off. The area around the arena, known as L.A. Live, is a sensory overload. You’ve got the Grammy Museum, a dozen high-end restaurants, and screens that are so bright they probably violate some kind of light pollution treaty.
Parking is a nightmare. Seriously. Don't park in the "official" lots unless you want to spend $50 and forty minutes trying to exit. Use the Metro. The Blue/Expo line lets you off right at Pico Station, and it’s a short, breezy walk.
Inside, the food has evolved. It used to be just soggy nachos and overpriced hot dogs. Now, you’ve got high-end options like Salt & Straw ice cream and "impact-driven" eateries. But let’s be real: you’re still going to pay $18 for a beer. It’s Los Angeles. Budget accordingly.
The "Ghost" of the Staples Center
You’ll notice that while the signs outside are gone, the history is literally baked into the floor. The retired jerseys—Magic, Kareem, Shaq, Kobe, West—they don't care what the sign says on the roof. The LA Kings’ championship banners from 2012 and 2014 are still there, reminding everyone that this is a hockey town, too.
The Clippers are leaving in 2024. This is a huge deal. For the first time in a quarter-century, the Lakers will have more breathing room. No more sharing locker rooms. No more "covering up" the Lakers banners during Clippers home games. It’s going back to being a Lakers and Kings house, which is how many fans think it should have been all along.
Common Misconceptions
People think the building is "old" now. It’s not. In stadium years, 25 is middle-aged, but the constant stream of revenue from being in the second-largest media market in the US means it gets frequent facelifts. The 2022-2024 renovation project basically gutted the premium levels. They added a "City View" terrace where you can eat and look at the skyline while the game happens behind you.
Another myth: that you can't get "cheap" tickets. You can. If you're willing to sit in the 300-level (the "nosebleeds"), you can often get into a Kings game or a midweek Lakers game against a small-market team for under $60. The view from the top is actually great because the seating bowl is surprisingly steep. You feel like you're on top of the action, not a mile away.
Actionable Tips for Your Next Visit
If you want to experience the Staples Center legacy correctly, do these things:
- Arrive 90 minutes early. Go to the Star Plaza on the corner of 11th and Figueroa. Take the photos with the statues. It's cheesy, but it's part of the ritual.
- Check the bag policy. They are strict. Anything larger than a small clutch will have to be put in a locker, and those lockers aren't cheap.
- Use the "Lakers Authentics" store. Even if you aren't buying a $300 jersey, the sheer amount of history and gear in there is like a mini-museum.
- Stay in the Marriott or Ritz-Carlton right next door if you're balling out. You can literally walk to the arena in your pajamas (don't, but you could).
- Eat at Philippe The Original before the game. It's a short drive or train ride away. It’s the home of the French Dip and much more "authentic" LA than the chain restaurants in L.A. Live.
The name on the outside might be different, and the technology might be shinier, but the soul of the building hasn't moved. Whether you call it the Staples Center or Crypto.com Arena, it remains the undisputed center of gravity for Southern California sports and culture. Go for the game, but stay for the atmosphere of a building that has seen more history in two decades than most arenas see in a century.