You’re sitting there, staring at a resale site, and you see it. A single seat in the 300-level for a random Tuesday night game is listed for $140. You think to yourself, "This has to be a mistake." It isn't. Buying LA Lakers tickets 2024 is less like buying a sports ticket and more like trying to trade commodities in a high-volatility market.
Honestly, it's exhausting.
The Lakers have a way of defying the logic of the NBA. Most teams' ticket prices fluctuate based on their record. If the team is bad, the tickets get cheap. Not here. Even when the standings look bleak, the demand at Crypto.com Arena stays through the roof. You’ve got the LeBron factor, the Hollywood proximity, and a fan base that treats a regular-season game against the Charlotte Hornets like it’s Game 7 of the Finals.
Basically, if you want to get in the building, you need a strategy that doesn't involve just "hoping for the best" on game day.
The Reality of LA Lakers Tickets 2024 Pricing
Let's look at the numbers because they are wild. For the 2024-25 season, the average price for a Lakers ticket on the secondary market has hovered around $702, according to data from Barry’s Tickets. That is the highest in the league. For comparison, you could probably fly to Memphis, stay in a hotel, buy a Grizzlies ticket, and fly back for less than the cost of a lower-bowl seat in Los Angeles.
Why so expensive?
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It's a mix of legacy and the "event" status of a Lakers game. You aren't just paying to see basketball; you're paying to be in the same room as Jack Nicholson, Flea, and whoever the latest Marvel star is this week.
Ticket prices vary wildly based on who is visiting. If the Golden State Warriors or the Boston Celtics come to town, forget about it. You’re looking at an entry price of at least $350 for the nosebleeds. On the flip side, if you catch a game against a team like the Washington Wizards or the Orlando Magic on a weeknight, you might snag something in the $60 to $90 range if you're lucky.
Where the "Cheap" Seats Actually Are
There is no such thing as a truly cheap seat, but there are "less expensive" ones. The 300-level (the "nosebleeds") is where most of us live.
- Section 301-334: These are your best bet.
- The Corners: Sections like 318 or 303 often have slightly lower prices because the angle is a bit awkward.
- Lexus Club: Sometimes you find "Lexus Club" only tickets which are basically standing room or lounge access. They're cheaper, but you might not have an actual seat to sit in. Check the fine print.
Timing Your Purchase: The 48-Hour Rule
Most people make the mistake of buying their LA Lakers tickets 2024 weeks in advance. Unless it’s a massive marquee matchup or a holiday game (like the Christmas Day game which always stays high), that is usually a bad move.
The market for Lakers tickets is a game of chicken. Sellers—many of whom are season ticket holders just trying to recoup their massive investment—start to panic about 48 hours before tip-off. If they haven't sold their seats, they start slashing prices.
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I’ve seen tickets drop by 30% in the final three hours before a game. Of course, this requires you to be okay with the risk of not going at all. But if you’re already in DTLA and just want to see if you can get in, waiting until 5:30 PM for a 7:30 PM tip-off is the pro move.
The Sites You Should Actually Use
Don’t just click the first link on Google.
Ticketmaster is the official primary partner, but since the Lakers sell out almost instantly during the summer release, you’re mostly looking at "Verified Resale" there. SeatGeek uses a "Deal Score" system that's actually pretty helpful—it tells you if a seat is a "Great Deal" or a "Rip-off" based on historical data for that specific section.
TickPick is another fan favorite because they don't add those soul-crushing service fees at the final checkout screen. What you see is what you pay. Honestly, that $120 ticket on StubHub usually ends up being $165 once you hit the "place order" button.
Avoiding the Scams (They Are Everywhere)
If someone on a social media site tells you they have two floor seats for $200 because their "kid is sick" and they can't go, they are lying. Period.
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Lakers tickets are entirely digital now. They live in the Lakers app or the Ticketmaster app. Never, under any circumstances, pay via Zelle, Venmo "Friends and Family," or CashApp to someone you don't know personally. Only use platforms that offer a 100% buyer guarantee. If the price looks too good to be true, it’s because it’s a scam.
What to Know Before You Go to Crypto.com Arena
So you finally pulled the trigger on your LA Lakers tickets 2024. Great. Now you have to actually get to the arena.
The doors usually open about 90 minutes before tip-off. If you want to see LeBron’s legendary pre-game warm-up routine, you need to be in your seat early.
Parking in Downtown LA is a nightmare. The official lots right next to the arena can cost $50 or more. If you don't mind a 10-minute walk, look for lots near 9th and Flower or use the Metro. The Blue/Expo line stops right at Pico Station, which is essentially the front door of the arena. It'll save you $40 and two hours of sitting in a parking garage exit line after the game.
Bag Policy is Strict
Don't bring a backpack. They won't let you in. Crypto.com Arena has a very strict small-clutch policy (basically anything larger than 4.5" x 6.5" is a no-go). They do have lockers you can rent outside, but they're expensive and a hassle. Travel light.
Actionable Next Steps
To actually get the best value on your tickets, follow this sequence:
- Identify 3-4 possible dates. Don't lock yourself into one specific night. Flexibility is your biggest money-saver.
- Monitor TickPick and SeatGeek. Start looking 7 days out just to get a "baseline" price for the sections you want.
- Wait for the 48-hour window. Check the prices again. If they’ve dropped, pull the trigger. If they haven't, wait until the day of the game.
- Check for "Single" seats. if you're going alone, you can often find a single seat in a prime row for a fraction of what a pair would cost.
- Use Public Transit. Budget that saved parking money ($50) toward a better seat instead.
Getting into a Lakers game in 2024 isn't simple, and it certainly isn't cheap. But if you stop buying tickets like a tourist and start buying them like a local, you can at least keep a little more cash in your pocket for that $15 arena beer.