What To Expect At Your First NBA Game, California


A First-Timer's Guide to Los Angeles NBA Game

Attending an NBA game has always been a dream of mine, and when I finally went to a Lakers game at the Staples Stadium, also known as Crypto.com Arena, it was one of the most thrilling experiences of my life. If you're planning on going to your first NBA game, I've got you covered with a list of things you should know to help you fully enjoy the experience. Let's go!



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Travel Tips
  • For flights, Skyscanner is excellent for comparing the best airline deals.
  • For accommodations, our family trusts Booking.com for reasonable prices.



What To Expect At Your First NBA Game, California


To make the most out of your first NBA game, here are 10 important things you should know:

1. Ticket

  • NBA ticket prices vary from 30 USD for upper-level seats to 2,000 USD for courtside seating.
  • If you're attending with your family, keep in mind that the stadium policy requires a ticket for children aged three and over.
  • To find cheap tickets for an NBA game, look for family packages, and seats located in the lower-level or upper-level corners, and consider attending a weekday game too.
  • We got our discounted tickets from GROUPON a reliable platform to find cheap deals for NBA games, restaurants and more.

What To Expect At Your First NBA Game, California

2. Parking at Crypto.com Arena

  • During the regular season, parking fees at the arena usually range from 15 USD to 25 USD but may vary based on the event or postseason. The parking structure was just walking distance from the arena. 


3. Arrive Early

  • Arrive early to avoid traffic and long lines.
  • Gates for NBA games usually open 60 to 90 minutes before the scheduled game time.
  • I would recommend arriving 45-60 minutes before the game. This will give you ample time to find parking, use the restroom, grab food, purchase merchandise, and take photos before the game starts.

What To Expect At Your First NBA Game, California

4. Game Schedule

  • An NBA game has four quarters, each lasting 12 minutes, with a grand total of 48 minutes of playtime.
  • This is the fun part if the game is tied after four quarters., an additional 5-minute overtime will be played until we have a winner.

5. Dress Comfortably

  • Bring a jacket as it gets kind of cold, also depends on the season. We went in winter time so we were wrapped up.


What To Expect At Your First NBA Game, California

6. What to Bring

  • Bring cash or a credit card for food, drinks, and souvenirs.
  • There are a lot of restrictions when it comes to bringing any items inside the Crypto arena like in an NFL game. Bags like purses, backpacks, camera bags, and even clear bags are not allowed inside the arena.
  • I didn't bring a bag, just the essentials like a wallet, phone and keys. If you really need to a small clutch is fine with security inspection at the gate.
  • If you're planning on buying souvenirs, check out the merchandise store before the game starts to avoid long lines during halftime or after the game. 


7. Food and Drinks

  • Any kind of outside food or drinks is unfortunately not allowed inside the arena. There are lots of stalls inside selling food like nachos, hotdogs and more. 
  • Sealed plastic water bottles are allowed per guest.


What To Expect At Your First NBA Game, California

8. Know which gate to enter and where your seat is located

  • Be respectful of others and follow stadium rules.
  • Make sure you're in the right seat to avoid any arguments. And, that is why it's important to arrive early so you have plenty of time to get lost and find your seats.

9. Be prepared to participate in crowd cheers and chants

  • Familiarize yourself with the teams playing and their players. This can make the game more enjoyable and help you understand what's happening on the court.

  • My friend told me if you're not going to cheer you might as well watch TV at home, ahahaa. Join the fun, let loose and just cheer as if you have a team but in reality, you're screaming at your boss.


What To Expect At Your First NBA Game, California

10. Photography

  • Don't forget to charge your phone or bring a portable charger. You'll want to capture the action and capture your amazing moments. Just make sure to avoid any flash photography. 
  • Avoid bringing a professional camera or those with detachable lenses.


Our team won that night which made it a memorable experience for us and surely this won't be our last NBA game. Remember to be positive and enjoy the game no matter the outcome. Cheering for your favorite team and getting caught up in the excitement of the crowd can make for an unforgettable experience for your first NBA game.

Have fun and be safe ^__^



Do you want more adventure?

Where am I going next?

For my next adventure, we're going to SkyPark an amazing themed park situated on top of the mountains of California.



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