For as long as the LA Clippers have existed, the organization has operated in the shadow of the Los Angeles Lakers. The Clips have always been the second priority.
The two teams have always shared an arena, but it’s never felt like home for the Clippers. When the Lakers and Clippers play each other, it’s always a pro-Lakers crowd. When the Clippers have had home games, the team has had to cover up the Lakers’ championship banners.
Well, folks, starting next season that won’t be the case anymore. The Clippers will have a new home to play in. One the team can finally call its own.
Starting next season, the Clippers will enter the Intuit Dome. This is the arena Steve Ballmer has been working toward for years. It will finally open up to the public.
Here’s everything we know about the Clippers’ new home so far.
The Inuit Dome actually cost $2 billion to build — not $1.2 billion
Multiple numbers are floating around for the cost the Clippers had to pay to get this new arena project started.
Originally, the cost was $1.2 billion when the project was first announced back in 2021. CNBC previously reported that the naming rights deal for the building was a bit over $500 billion.
USA Today‘s Duane Rankin spoke with Clippers’ president of business operations, Gillian Zucker, and it turns out that price tag has jumped to $2 billion. Zucker explained why:
“Actually, it fluctuates, which is probably why you’ve seen different numbers. When we first started the project, it was in that $1.2 billion range. Post COVID, there’s been a lot of changes and supply change and cost of materials, etc. So we have seen some inflation on the cost of the building. Probably more like the $2 billion range.”
Regardless of how much the building costs, know one thing: It’s expensive. Very expensive.
The building is located in Inglewood
The arena will be located on a 28-acre mixed-use development lot in Inglewood, according to Urbanize LA. It’ll hold 18,000 people. It’ll be just south of the campus the Rams’ SoFi stadium is on.
The Clippers’ campus will include an 85,000 square foot practice facility, 71,000 square feet of office space for the team and a 25,000-square-foot area for sports medicine. There will also be a retails hopping space and a concert stage.
Here’s a look at the arena from outside.
Sounds like a blast.
The arena will feature "The Wall"
This is probably the coolest part of the arena itself. The Clippers will have a section of seating dedicated to fans called “The Wall.”
It’ll be 51 unmitigated rows of fan seating occupied solely by Clippers fans. There are rules fans must obey if they sit in this section. They cannot:
- Cheer for the opposing team
- Wear opponent gear
- Or resell tickets outside of the Clippers fan marketplace.
I have no idea how the Clippers will actually enforce these rules — especially if there’s ever a time when the team is bad again. But the idea is cool in theory. Can’t wait to see it in practice.
Here’s a look:
The LA Clippers have released rules for "The Wall" — the Intuit Dome's new section of 51 uninterrupted rows of fans.
• Cannot cheer for opposing team
• Cannot wear opponent gear
• Tickets can only be resold in Clippers marketplaceA season on "The Wall" ranges from $5K-$25K. pic.twitter.com/7hQEfDizdo
— Front Office Sports (@FOS) January 16, 2024
And a view from the top:
Here’s the view from the top section of “The Wall” inside the Intuit Dome — set to open later this year.pic.twitter.com/iHvrnEjgbi
— Front Office Sports (@FOS) January 17, 2024
This looks so fun.
The arena will come with a "halo" scorebaord
For fans who sit at the top of the arena, it’ll probably be difficult to catch some of the action down on the court.
No worries. That’s why the Clippers are installing a halo scoreboard in the arena to give everyone a good view of the action.
The Intuit Dome, the future home of the LA Clippers, will feature an acre-sized Halo Board, the largest double-sided scoreboard in an arena. pic.twitter.com/xCbFLDo9Lr
— Arash Markazi (@ArashMarkazi) June 8, 2022
That’s a lot, to be sure. But it could be a great fan experience.
There are also plushy suites in the arena
You thought this super expensive arena was just going to be a hardcore basketball experience for the common fan? Absolutely not.
There are plenty of suites available. There are “backstage bungalows” where folks can avoid the noise for pregame and halftime as well as “halo suites” where folks can watch the games.
It will also include “Halo Suites.” The Clippers say the Intuit Dome will feature “one exclusive suite level” where the “Halo Suites” will be located. pic.twitter.com/cQWKouiSwA
— Arash Markazi (@ArashMarkazi) September 17, 2021
The arena is getting the 2026 All-Star game
Of course the NBA was going to find a way to show off Steve Ballmer’s new house. The All-Star game is coming to the Inuit Dome in 2026.
OFFICIAL: The LA Clippers and @IntuitDome will host NBA All-Star 2026 pic.twitter.com/xBAsnRuqwX
— LA Clippers (@LAClippers) January 16, 2024
Sorry, Staples Center Crypto.com Arena. There’s some new competition in town.
There are a billion toilets in the building
OK, so maybe there aren’t a billion toilets in the building. But there might as well be. In total, there will be 1,160 toilets and urinals in the arena.
Steve Ballmer was pumped about this. Yep. You read that correctly.
“TOILETS! 1,160 toilets and urinals! We do not want people waiting in line. We want them back in their damn seats!”
Steve Ballmer is HYPED for the Clippers new arena features. pic.twitter.com/xTYXeWjphG
— Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) March 7, 2023
“Toilets —1,160 toilets and urinals. Three times the NBA average of toilets and urinals,” Ballmer exclaimed. “We do not want people waiting in line. We want them to get back to their damn seats.”
I haven’t seen anyone this excited about plumbing since Super Mario.
