You're standing in the Intuit Dome. It’s February 2026. The air smells like expensive popcorn and new rubber.
About thirty feet away, Stephen Curry is casually draining half-court shots while LeBron James laughs with a trainer near the baseline. There are no screaming sirens or 20,000 people blocking your view. It's quiet. You can actually hear the ball snap through the net. This is the vibe of the practice session, and honestly, it’s the best-kept secret of the entire weekend in Los Angeles.
Most fans blow their entire life savings on the Sunday night game. They sit in the rafters and watch giant screens. But if you’re smart, you're looking for nba all star game practice tickets instead.
It’s the one time you get to see the world's best players without the high-stakes tension of the actual game. They're loose. They’re joking around. Sometimes they even interact with the front-row fans in ways they never would during a televised broadcast. But getting in isn't as simple as clicking "buy" on a website five minutes before it starts.
The Reality of the All-Star Practice Experience
Let’s be real for a second. If you’re expecting a grueling, high-intensity scrimmage, you’re going to be disappointed. This is basically a glorified shootaround.
The players are there to satisfy media requirements and stretch their legs. The NBA usually bundles the practice with "Media Day," which means you’ll see players sitting at podiums or being interviewed on the court while others shoot.
For the 2026 All-Star Weekend in Inglewood, the practice is scheduled for Saturday, February 14. While the main game is at the Intuit Dome, the practice and media sessions often take place at secondary locations or the main arena early in the day.
What your ticket actually gets you:
- Unfiltered Access: You see the players' personalities. Who’s the loudest? Who’s the most focused?
- The "Shootaround" Factor: You’ll watch them run through basic drills and 3-point contests of their own making.
- Lower Price Points: Compared to the $1,200+ price tag for the Sunday game, practice tickets are traditionally a fraction of that cost.
- The Intuit Dome Effect: Since 2026 is the first time the Clippers' new home is hosting, the tech and seating are going to be wild even for a practice.
Why NBA All Star Game Practice Tickets Are Hard to Find
You’d think a practice session would be easy to get into. It’s not.
The NBA doesn’t just dump these tickets on the market like a regular-season game against the Pistons. They use them. They give them to sponsors. They give them to local Los Angeles community groups. They bundle them into "Official NBA Experiences" packages that cost thousands of dollars.
If you want a standalone ticket, you have to be fast.
Usually, a small allotment of tickets goes on sale to the public via Ticketmaster. For 2026, keep an eye on the mid-January window. That’s historically when the "non-premium" events like the practice and the Celebrity Game start showing up for individual purchase.
The Secondary Market Shuffle
If you miss the primary drop, you’re headed to SeatGeek or StubHub. Be careful here. Prices for nba all star game practice tickets fluctuate wildly based on who actually makes the All-Star roster.
If a huge rookie like Cooper Flagg or a local favorite like a Laker or Clipper star is starting, the practice price jumps. If half the starters are "injured" and sitting out the weekend, prices tank.
Pricing Expectations for Los Angeles 2026
LA is expensive. There’s no way around it.
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Historical data from recent All-Star weekends in Indy and Salt Lake City saw practice tickets starting around $50 to $75. In Los Angeles? Expect a "California Tax."
I’d be surprised if you find anything under $100 on the secondary market once the hype kicks in.
- Standard GA/Upper Bowl: $85 - $150
- Lower Bowl Side Court: $250 - $500
- VIP/Courtside Practice Access: $1,000+ (often only available via packages)
The "Deal Score" on sites like SeatGeek is going to be your best friend. Look for seats that are "Side Court" rather than "Behind the Basket." In a practice setting, the players spend a lot of time milling around the sidelines talking to coaches. If you’re behind the hoop, you’re just watching backs.
The Strategic Way to Buy Without Getting Scammed
Don't buy tickets from a guy on Reddit or a random Twitter (X) DM. Just don't.
All-Star tickets are 100% digital and usually restricted through the NBA Events app or Ticketmaster’s "SafeTix" system. This means screenshots won't work. If someone tries to sell you a "PDF ticket," they are lying to you.
Check the "NBA Experiences" Route
If you have the budget, sometimes it's better to just go through the official source. NBA Experiences (run by QuintEvents) sells packages that include the practice. It's pricey, but it's guaranteed.
The Last-Minute Gamble
Because the practice isn't the "main event," people often realize they're too hungover or tired from Friday night's Celebrity Game to make it to a 10:00 AM practice on Saturday.
I’ve seen ticket prices drop by 40% on the morning of the event. If you’re already in Inglewood or staying near the Los Angeles Convention Center, wait until about two hours before doors open. Refresh the apps.
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Common Misconceptions About the Saturday Session
A lot of people think they can get autographs at the practice.
Can it happen? Yes. Is it likely? Not really.
The security at the Intuit Dome is going to be tighter than a drum. Players are ushered on and off the court through specific tunnels. Unless you have a specific "Post-Practice On-Court" pass, which is usually a separate VIP add-on, don't expect a selfie with Giannis.
Also, don't confuse the nba all star game practice tickets with "All-Star Saturday Night." They are totally different.
Saturday Night is the Dunk Contest and the 3-Point Shootout. That happens in the evening and costs a fortune. The practice is a morning/early afternoon thing. It's much more chill.
Actionable Steps for Your 2026 Trip
- Register for NBA ID: This is the league’s free fan program. They usually send out presale codes for All-Star tickets a few days before the general public gets them.
- Set Alerts: Go to Ticketmaster now and "heart" the NBA All-Star Practice & Media Day event. You'll get a push notification when seats are loaded.
- Book the Hotel First: Don't wait for the tickets to book your stay in Inglewood. Prices for hotels near the Intuit Dome and Kia Forum are already skyrocketing for February 13-15.
- Check the Venue: Confirm if the practice is at the Intuit Dome or the Los Angeles Convention Center. Historically, the NBA has moved the "Fan Fest" (Crossover) and certain practices to the convention center to accommodate more people.
If you’re a basketball purist who just wants to see how a pro actually shoots a jumper when the cameras aren't the only thing they're worried about, the practice is for you. It’s less "spectacle" and more "basketball." Just make sure you're buying from verified sources and keeping an eye on those mid-January release dates.
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Once those tickets are in your digital wallet, you're set for the most relaxed, up-close look at greatness you can get without actually being on an NBA roster.