Staples Center Downtown LA - A Landmark Reborn

Picture this, a true heart of Los Angeles where moments of pure excitement happen, a place that has been a central gathering spot for folks in the city for a good long while now. This big, important building, known to many as the Staples Center, sits right there in downtown LA, a familiar sight to anyone who has spent some time in the area. It is, you know, a spot that truly feels like it belongs, a real part of the whole Los Angeles experience, especially if you’re looking for some fun or a big event.

It first opened its doors, you know, on October 17, 1999, and has stood next to the Los Angeles Convention Center complex along Figueroa Street ever since. This location, you see, makes it a pretty central point for lots of happenings. For years, it has been owned and operated by the Anschutz Entertainment Group, often called AEG, which means it has had steady hands guiding its path, truly making it a home for some well-loved teams.

Just recently, there was a little bit of a change, a brief moment where it had a different name, which, you know, some folks had feelings about. But, as a matter of fact, the city’s most recognizable sports and entertainment spot is getting its old name back, becoming the Staples Center once more by the end of April. It’s almost like a blast from the past, a return to something familiar and loved by so many people who visit downtown LA.

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Table of Contents

• What Makes the Staples Center Downtown LA So Special?
  • The Arena's Story - Staples Center Downtown LA's Beginnings
  • Who Calls Staples Center Downtown LA Home?
• What Can You Experience Around Staples Center Downtown LA?
  • A Place for Every Event - Staples Center Downtown LA's Offerings
  • Where Can You Stay Near Staples Center Downtown LA?
• How Has Staples Center Downtown LA Shaped the City?
  • The Larger Impact of Staples Center Downtown LA

What Makes the Staples Center Downtown LA So Special?

So, what exactly is it about the Staples Center downtown LA that makes it stand out? Well, for many, it's more than just a building; it's a place where big things happen, a spot that has earned the title of a sports and entertainment hub for the whole world. It's almost like a magnet for fun and excitement, drawing in crowds for all sorts of memorable occasions. People often talk about how it, along with LA Live, has become a real focal point for all the entertainment Los Angeles has to offer, a true center of activity and lively happenings, you know.

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The Arena's Story - Staples Center Downtown LA's Beginnings

This large public gathering place, the Staples Center downtown LA, first welcomed people on October 17, 1999. It sits right next to the Los Angeles Convention Center complex, along a street called Figueroa Street, and it is also right by the LA Live development. Its position in the west part of downtown Los Angeles means it is, in a way, sandwiched between the Grammy Museum and the Los Angeles Convention Center. You can find statues just outside, which, you know, add a bit of character to the whole area. If you need to figure out how to get there, public transportation options are available, with services like Moovit helping you find the best routes using buses, subways, or even light rail, giving you step-by-step directions with updated schedules, which is pretty helpful, actually.

Who Calls Staples Center Downtown LA Home?

This big arena is the official place where several beloved Los Angeles sports groups play their home games. It is the cherished spot for the Los Angeles Kings, a hockey team that draws in lots of cheering fans. It is also the main stomping ground for the Los Angeles Lakers, a basketball team with a long history, and the Los Angeles Clippers, another basketball team that shares the court. And, you know, it is also where the Los Angeles Sparks, a women's basketball team, play their games. So, it is basically a very busy place, always buzzing with the energy of different sports seasons, which is kind of cool.

What Can You Experience Around Staples Center Downtown LA?

When you come to the Staples Center downtown LA, you'll find there's a whole lot more to do than just watch a game or a show. The area around it, especially with LA Live right there, is packed with things to see and do. It's almost like a little world of its own, full of opportunities for fun and good times. From grabbing a bite to finding a place to stay, the surroundings offer quite a bit, which is pretty convenient, really.

A Place for Every Event - Staples Center Downtown LA's Offerings

The Staples Center downtown LA is a very large public venue that hosts a wide range of big events. You can catch many major concerts there, with popular music acts coming through. It also puts on comedy shows, bringing in funny performers for a night of laughs. Of course, it is a primary spot for sporting events, like the Los Angeles Sparks playing against the Washington Mystics on July 16, 2025, at 8:00 PM, where you can buy tickets or even suites. Beyond the main events, the area around it, particularly at LA Live, has many nice places to eat, like Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar, which is located right there in downtown Los Angeles, California. LA Live itself is considered the top spot for live fun in downtown Los Angeles, offering sports and music venues, places to eat, a spot to go bowling, a museum, and even a movie theater, so there's lots to do, basically.

Where Can You Stay Near Staples Center Downtown LA?

If you're planning a visit to see something at the Staples Center downtown LA, you might be wondering about places to stay nearby. There are quite a few good hotels close to the arena. People who use Kayak, for example, have found rooms for two people near the arena for as little as $20 in the last three days, with the usual price being around $33. For those on a business trip, staying at a place like the JW Marriott Los Angeles LA Live, which is a business hotel in Los Angeles, California, could be a good choice. You can also look up hotels near the arena on Tripadvisor, where you’ll find a lot of reviews, over 281,282 traveler opinions, and more than 150,956 candid pictures, plus prices for 1,081 hotels in Los Angeles, California. It is pretty easy to find hotels near the Staples Center online, with good availability and reasonable rates, and you can often book online and pay when you get to the hotel, which is quite convenient, you know.

How Has Staples Center Downtown LA Shaped the City?

The presence of the Staples Center downtown LA has had a pretty big effect on the city, especially the area around it. It is more than just a place for games and shows; it has actually played a part in how downtown Los Angeles has grown and changed over the years. It has, in a way, been a central piece in a lot of what has happened in that part of the city, which is interesting to think about, really.

The Larger Impact of Staples Center Downtown LA

Some people have even suggested that the Staples Center downtown LA, when it was built, helped kick off a period of significant change in downtown LA, sometimes called gentrification, which, you know, can be a complex topic. An article from October 31, 2019, talked about how it was seen as a turning point for a downtown area that was, in some respects, struggling, but its building also helped start a rapid spread of displacement. The arena, along with LA Live, has together acted as a strong force for billions of dollars worth of building and growth in the South Park part of downtown LA. Downtown itself is home to some of the very best places to eat in the city, really leading the Los Angeles food scene. Plus, it is where you find cultural and sports venues like the Walt Disney Concert Hall, the Staples Center, and the Coliseum at the University of Southern California, making it a very important part of the city's overall feel and future, you know, in a big way.