So, you want to be a Lakers season ticket holder. Honestly, join the club. It's not just about the basketball; it’s about the cultural gravity that exists within Crypto.com Arena when the purple and gold take the floor. But here is the thing: getting season pass tickets Lakers fans covet isn't as simple as clicking a "buy now" button on a website. It is a years-long—sometimes decades-long—test of patience that feels more like waiting for a kidney transplant than a sporting event.
The Lakers don't just sell tickets. They manage a legacy.
When you look at the baseline of how this works, you have to understand the sheer volume of demand. We are talking about a franchise with 17 championships and a global brand that rivals Ferrari or Apple. Because the renewal rate for current season ticket holders sits consistently above 95%—often hitting 98% during the LeBron James era—the turnover is microscopic. If nobody gives up their seats, nobody on the waitlist moves up. It is a literal dead man’s switch for some families who have passed these seats down through generations.
The Reality of the Lakers Season Ticket Waitlist
The waitlist is legendary. Or maybe "notorious" is a better word for it. Currently, reports suggest there are over 10,000 people on the official Los Angeles Lakers season ticket waiting list. Some fans have been on that list since the Kobe and Pau Gasol back-to-back era. Think about that for a second. You could have signed up when the iPhone was still new, and you might still be waiting for your number to be called.
To even get your name on the list, you have to put down a deposit. It’s $100 per seat. That money is non-refundable, but it does eventually get applied to your ticket purchase if—and that is a massive if—you ever get the chance to buy.
Why the Line Never Moves
It’s simple math, really. Crypto.com Arena holds about 19,000 people for basketball. A huge chunk of those seats are swallowed up by corporate sponsors, long-term suite holders, and the "privileged" season ticket base that has been there since the Forum days. When only a couple hundred people decide not to renew their season pass tickets Lakers each year, and you are number 4,500 on the list, you’re looking at a multi-year horizon.
✨ Don't miss: Finding the Best Texas Longhorns iPhone Wallpaper Without the Low-Res Junk
Wait. It gets more complicated.
The Lakers use a priority system. It’s not just about when you joined; it’s about what’s available. If you only want "Premier" seating or specific 100-level spots, you might wait forever. Most people get their "foot in the door" by accepting whatever the team offers them—usually way up in the 300s—and then using their seniority to "upgrade" their location during the annual seat relocation process.
The Cost of Entry (Hold Your Breath)
Let’s talk money. If you think the $100 deposit is the hurdle, you’re in for a shock. Lakers tickets are among the most expensive in the NBA. For the 2024-2025 season, even the "cheap" seats in the nosebleeds for a full season can run several thousand dollars.
If you want to sit in the 100-level? You are looking at a price tag that resembles a mid-sized SUV.
- Upper Level (300s): Usually starts around $3,500 - $5,000 per seat for the full 41-game home slate.
- Premier Seats: These come with in-seat service and private entrances. Expect to pay $15,000 to $25,000+.
- Floor Seats: If you have to ask, you can't afford them. These are rarely available to the public and are often brokered through private wealth management circles.
The Lakers also charge for preseason games. You have to buy those too. It’s part of the "pass" package. You pay for the stars, but you also pay for the rookies playing in October when nobody is really watching.
🔗 Read more: Why Isn't Mbappe Playing Today: The Real Madrid Crisis Explained
Secondary Market Workarounds
Since the official waitlist is a black hole, many fans turn to the secondary market. You can find "Full Season" listings on sites like StubHub or Ticketmaster’s verified exchange. But be careful. You aren't actually becoming a "Season Ticket Member" in the eyes of the Lakers. You are just buying 41 individual games from a guy who owns the rights. You don't get the playoff priority. You don't get the invites to the season-holder "Select-a-Seat" events. You are just a high-end customer of a middleman.
What Most People Get Wrong About Perks
There’s this myth that being a season ticket holder gets you all these crazy freebies. Kinda. You get a "Season Ticket Holder Gift" every year. Usually, it’s something like a high-end coffee table book, a custom jacket, or a commemorative coin set. It’s cool, sure, but it’s not why you spend $20k.
The real perk? Playoff access.
When the Lakers make a deep run, the face value of season tickets stays relatively stable compared to the astronomical prices on the open market. A Western Conference Finals ticket that costs a season ticket holder $400 might be selling for $2,500 on the street. That is where the "investment" pays off. Most holders sell off 10-15 games of their season pass tickets Lakers package just to subsidize the cost of the rest of the season. If the Celtics or Warriors come to town, you can sometimes pay for an entire month of your plan just by selling those two games.
The Post-LeBron Uncertainty
There is a lot of chatter among the fanbase about what happens when LeBron James finally hangs it up. Will the waitlist evaporate?
💡 You might also like: Tottenham vs FC Barcelona: Why This Matchup Still Matters in 2026
History says no.
When Kobe Bryant retired, there was a brief window where the "vibe" changed, but the demand didn't crater. Los Angeles is a star-driven city. The Lakers front office, led by Rob Pelinka and Jeanie Buss, is built on the philosophy of always having a "whale." Whether it’s Anthony Davis, or the next superstar trade target, the Lakers remain the "it" ticket in Southern California. The "Showtime" brand is bigger than any single player.
The Logistics of Ownership
Once you actually get the call—which will probably come as a surprise on a random Tuesday in July—you have to move fast. You’ll be given a window to look at available inventory.
- The Seat Map: You’ll likely be looking at "Visual Identity" software that shows you the view from the seat.
- The Payment Plan: The Lakers usually offer a few ways to pay. You can do it all at once (ouch) or spread it out over a few months leading up to tip-off.
- Digital Entry: Gone are the days of the beautiful physical ticket books. Everything is via the Lakers app now. It makes transferring seats to friends easier, but it definitely killed the nostalgia of holding those gold-foil tickets.
If you miss a payment or violate the "Resale Policy," the Lakers can and will revoke your seats. They’ve become much stricter lately about "professional brokers." If you buy season tickets and sell 100% of the games, the team might flag your account. They want "fans" in the building, or at least people who look like fans on TV.
Is It Actually Worth It?
Honestly? It depends on your lifestyle. If you live in Santa Monica and have to fight the 10 freeway 41 times a year, it’s a job. It’s a second career. But if you value the networking, the atmosphere, and the ability to say "I was there" when a random Tuesday night game turns into a historical performance, there is nothing like it.
The Lakers aren't just a team; they are the social epicenter of LA.
Actionable Next Steps for Aspiring Holders
- Get on the list now. Like, right now. Even if you don't have the money for the full season yet, that $100 deposit is the best "future you" gift you can buy. The clock only starts when you pay.
- Audit your budget. Remember that the ticket price is only part of it. Parking at Crypto.com Arena can be $40-$60 per game. Toss in a $15 beer and a $20 sandwich, and a "cheap" night out for two is $100 on top of the tickets.
- Check the "Ticket Packs." If the full season pass tickets Lakers waitlist is too daunting, look into 10-game or 12-game "flex" plans. These usually go on sale later in the summer and don't require a decade of waiting.
- Verify your contact info. Every year, people lose their spot on the list because their credit card on file expired or their email address changed. Don't be that person. Update your Lakers Account Manager profile annually.
- Join fan forums. Sites like Silver Screen and Roll or the Lakers subreddit often have "transfer" threads where long-time holders who can't go to games sell their seats at near-face value to fellow die-hards. It's a great way to test-drive specific sections before you commit to a full plan.