Intuit Dome, the new home of the Los Angeles Clippers

The sports culture in the United States is deeply ingrained in the population. In America, sports are a part of daily life and represent a regular pastime for citizens: games of all kinds take place every day of the week. In the USA, there is a strong emphasis on entertainment, which is why state-of-the-art facilities can be found in every city, big or small, enhancing the experience for spectators.

One of the most important sports hubs in the country is located in the metropolis of Los Angeles, the most famous city in California—although not the state capital, which is Sacramento. Millions of people in Los Angeles follow sports and engage in athletic activities.

Los Angeles: The Basketball Capital

Los Angeles excels in all major sports, from basketball and football to baseball, soccer, and ice hockey. Each sport has its own cutting-edge venue, but basketball stands out, taking an already prestigious situation to the next level. The connection between basketball and Los Angeles is extremely strong.

The "City of Angels" has basketball in its DNA, reinforced by the legendary success of the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA and the prestigious UCLA basketball program at the collegiate level. Playgrounds, or public outdoor courts, can be found on almost every street corner, including the iconic Venice Beach courts along the scenic coastline.

Besides the Lakers, Los Angeles is also home to another NBA team: the Los Angeles Clippers, who shared an arena with the Lakers for many years. Due to sponsorship reasons, both teams played at what was formerly known as the Staples Center, now Crypto.com Arena. However, this arrangement could not last forever, and it was time for the city to have another grand venue. Thus, in September 2021, construction began on a new facility primarily for the Clippers, named Intuit Dome.

The arena was inaugurated in August 2024 with a concert by Bruno Mars, and in October of the same year, the Clippers played their first home game against the Dallas Mavericks. The venue’s grand opening motto already indicated its dedication to entertainment: Built for fans and made for stars.

A State-of-the-Art Arena: Built for Fans and Made for Stars

The sports complex is located in Inglewood, a suburb in the southwest part of Los Angeles, and is owned by the Clippers, a vision strongly pursued by team owner Steve Ballmer. It is an ultra-modern multipurpose arena equipped with every possible comfort and attraction.

Designed by AECOM, a Dallas-based architecture firm originally founded by employees of other engineering and design companies and later listed on the New York Stock Exchange, the venue boasts an 18,000-seat capacity. It includes training facilities, a sports medicine clinic, franchise offices, numerous commercial spaces, and a plaza with public basketball courts.

In essence, it is a vast space where basketball, passion, and entertainment intertwine. The exterior, illuminated by LED lights capable of changing colors, features a steel structure with a design inspired by the net of a basketball hoop when a ball passes through. The roof consists of PTFE and ETFE panels arranged in a diamond pattern.

Inside, the arena offers multiple spaces for fans, staff, and athletes. The training facility spans 7,900 m², the team offices cover 5,100 m², and the sports medicine clinic occupies 2,300 m². Additionally, 12,200 m² are allocated to retail spaces, while 79,250 m² are dedicated to an outdoor plaza with five public basketball courts.

Technology, Comfort, and Spectacle for Fan

Inside the arena, a grandstand called "The Wall" is inspired by Borussia Dortmund’s famous "Yellow Wall" in soccer. It consists of 51 consecutive rows of steeply inclined seating, positioned behind the visitors' bench and reserved for the most passionate fans, who hold the Ultimate Wall Pass.

However, the arena's crown jewel is undoubtedly "The Halo Board," a double-sided circular video scoreboard covering more than 11,600 m² with a 4K resolution display. It projects exclusive footage and advanced game statistics and features built-in launchers for t-shirts and other giveaways during events.

To enhance spectator comfort and minimize wait times, the venue includes 1,160 restroom facilities across 320 bathrooms. Additionally, 199 synchronized clocks throughout the arena ensure that fans know exactly when to return to their seats.

Moreover, the arena houses several public art installations, including statues, sculptures, mosaics, murals, and architectural artworks. It is a cutting-edge space accessible to all and built for the future. Today, it serves as the home of the Clippers and a venue for major concerts, but it is also set to host the 2026 NBA All-Star Game and, most importantly, the 2028 Olympic Games.

>>> Also, discover the SAP Garden Arena, designed by Behnisch & Partner