Staples Center Information:
Location: Los Angeles, California
Address: 1111 S. Figueroa Street Los Angeles, California 90015
Capacity: 20,000
Parking: N/A
Year Opened: 1996
Occupants: Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Kings
Rules: No Bottles, Cans, Or Coolers; No Smoking In Arena; No Cameras Or Recording Devices At Concerts; Cameras with no flash Allowed For Sporting Events
There are few places in the sporting and entertainment world that have their fingers on the pulse of what's new and exciting quite like the Staples Center. When the venue opened in 1999, it was one of the largest arenas in the NBA and NHL with seating for more than 18,000 people during sporting events and 20,000 people during concerts. As the main venue for the Los Angeles Lakers, the Los Angeles Clippers and Los Angeles Kings, the arena boasts more than 12 locker rooms and other important facilities. The Staples Center is known for its use of neon blue and red lights on the building's facade as well as statues of Wayne Gretzky and Magic Johnson - two of the most hallowed hockey and basketball icons in Los Angeles history.
While all three of the above teams moved into the arena before the 1999-2000 season, it was the Lakers that enjoyed the greatest immediate success in the venue. After moving from the old Great Western Forum, the squad began an unprecedented run of success by winning championships in 2000, 2001, 2002, 2009 and 2010. The Staples Center was the setting that saw the rise of Kobe Bryant into the upper echelon of NBA stars. Along with their many championships, Lakers fans got to enjoy Bryant putting up 81 points against the Toronto Raptors during a game on January 22, 2006. It is the second-highest single game point total in NBA history, behind the great Wilt Chamberlain's 100-point game.
The other NBA team that inhabits the Staples Center hasn't exactly enjoyed the same level of success as its arena-sharing counterpart. The team's only appearance in the postseason came in 2006 behind the strength of Elton Brand and Sam Cassell. The Clippers would win their first playoff series ever against the Denver Nuggets. They team eventually fell to the Phoenix Suns in the next round, but fans are still hopeful that a Clippers banner will soon hang next to those of the Lakers.
The Los Angeles Kings are the city's lone NHL team, but they have yet to bring a Stanley Cup home to the City of Angels. While the team has enjoyed strong leaders such as defensemen Rob Blake and Mattias Norstrom, they have yet to put it all together on the ice during their time at the Staples Center. However, the Kings have been a regular attendee to the Stanley Cup playoffs, making the postseason five times since the debut of the Staples Center, and fans are still eagerly waiting for their first championship.
The Staples Center is also one of the premiere concert venues in the Los Angeles area, attracting some of the biggest names in music and entertainment. The arena has hosted huge events ranging from the X Games to the biggest awards shows, setting an attendance record in 2005 during WWE Wrestlemania 21. The area packed 20,193 fans into the building. It has hosted every possible music act imaginable from Bruce Springsteen to the Rolling Stones to Hannah Montana.
Most importantly, those who attend the Staples Center should keep their eyes open for celebrities who are sitting in the stands. Jack Nicholson sits courtside for every Lakers game and one is bound to see other notable actors or entertainers enjoying the show. As one of the most glamorous venues in the country, the Staples Center has become the sports and entertainment Mecca of downtown Los Angeles.