Getting cheap tickets to see the Los Angeles Lakers can seem daunting, but with some planning and flexibility, it is possible to find great deals. In this comprehensive guide, we will go over all the tips and tricks to find affordable Lakers tickets, even at the last minute.
Buy Early
The first and most important tip is to buy your Lakers tickets as early as possible. As soon as the NBA schedule is announced for the upcoming season, usually in August, you can start looking at prices and planning which games you want to attend. Prices will be at their lowest when tickets first go on sale. The most in-demand games against rivals like the Clippers and Celtics can start at $75 for upper level seats and over $250 for lower bowl. But less popular weekday games may start as low as $25. If you know you want to go to a lot of games throughout the season, look into season ticket packages which provide a discount over buying tickets individually.
Use Online Ticket Sites
Rather than buy directly through the Lakers website or box office, check out online ticket marketplaces like StubHub and SeatGeek. Sites like these aggregate tickets being resold by season ticket holders and other fans, so you can often find great deals on tickets people are trying to sell below face value. Make sure to compare across the different sites, as prices can vary.
Buy Last Minute
If you are flexible on which games you go to, keep an eye on ticket prices leading up to gamedays and even on the day of as game time approaches. Especially for less in-demand games, prices will often drop drastically as sellers have trouble getting rid of their tickets. You can often get upper deck tickets for $10-20 if you buy within a couple hours of tipoff. Use sites like Gametime that specialize in last minute ticket sales.
Look for Promotions
The Lakers and other ticket sellers will often run special deals and promotions at various times during the season on select games. Follow Lakers social media and sign up for email newsletters to stay on top of upcoming promos. They may offer ticket packs with food and merchandise included, sweepstakes to win tickets, or partner with local radio stations on ticket giveaways.
Buy Upper Deck Tickets
If your priority is getting in the door cheaply, look for tickets in the upper deck corners or ends. These are typically the cheapest seats in any arena, and can have great deals on less in-demand games. Upper corner seats start around $40-60 normally, but as mentioned you can often get them for $10-20 on the secondary market last minute.
Avoid Marquee Matchups
The most expensive Lakers tickets will always be against other top teams like the Warriors, Clippers, Celtics and other playoff contenders. If saving money is your goal, target games against non-playoff teams like the Kings, Magic or Grizzlies. These games will have much lower demand making cheap tickets easier to find.
Buy in Pairs
Most seat inventory is sold in pairs, meaning there are more options for buying 2 tickets together rather than a single ticket. Taking advantage of this by buying tickets in pairs even if you only need one ticket can sometimes yield a cheaper overall price than buying two singles.
Consider Preseason
Preseason tickets in September/October are often extremely cheap, regularly $5-10 no matter the seat location. While the games don’t count, it’s a great budget option to check out the team and new players before the season tips off. Lower bowl sideline seats are attainable for the cost of upper deck regular season tickets.
Join a Fan Club
Season ticket holders have access to a Lakers ticket exchange where they can post tickets for sale that they can’t use. Joining an official Lakers fan club like Lakers Nation grants you access to buy from this ticket exchange where prices are generally below market rate.
Get Team Pass
Team Pass is a ticket offer from the Lakers available in limited quantities. It provides access to every home game for one fixed price, with the caveat being you don’t know which game you will be assigned tickets for until 24-48 hours before. It ends up being around $25 per game, a great bargain.
Go on an Off Night
Avoid weekend games on Friday and Saturday nights if possible. These are the most coveted tickets with the highest demand. Opt for less popular weeknight games like Tuesdays and Wednesdays against weaker opponents. These will have many more empty seats making cheap last minute deals widely available.
Stand Room Only Tickets
“Standing room only” tickets are first come, first served tickets that let you into the arena to stand and watch the game. There is typically plenty of open space to comfortably stand along the back or upstairs concourse. These are sold for around $40-50, the cheapest way to get in the door.
Split Season Tickets
If you plan on attending 10+ games, consider going in with friends or family on splitting a season ticket package. Buy two seats together and divide up the games. You’ll save a lot over buying individual tickets and get the perks that come with being a season ticket holder.
When are Lakers Tickets Cheapest?
Time Frame | Price |
---|---|
As soon as schedule announced (Aug/Sept) | $25-$75 |
Preseason (Sept/Oct) | $5-$10 |
Less than 2 hours before gametime | $10-$20 |
Weeknight games (Mon-Wed) | $25-$50 |
Best Places to Buy Cheap Lakers Tickets
Website | Deals |
---|---|
StubHub | Wide ticket selection below face value |
SeatGeek | Comparable ticket prices to StubHub |
Gametime | Last minute tickets deeply discounted |
Lakers Ticket Exchange | Season ticket holders reselling at low prices |
Conclusion
Scoring cheap Los Angeles Lakers tickets just requires being proactive and flexible. The best deals can be found by buying early before the season starts, monitoring ticket prices leading up to and day of gametime, targeting less in-demand matchups, and using secondary market sites for below face value tickets. With the right planning and preparation, you can land great seats at Staples Center without breaking the bank. Let this guide provide you all the tips and tricks you need to find affordable pricing on one of the NBA’s top teams.