Sports Event Guide for Expats:
may appear to be slaves to the car but the city’s perfect weather dictates a wealth of sporting activities, which are indulged in epic proportions, making LA one of the healthiest cities in the US. It is very possible to surf at the beach one day and go skiing the next day at Mammoth Mountains (a mere 2 hours drive away). The city is also home to the second largest spectator sports market after NYC. Women’s professional sports are also popular.
Venues
The Staples Center
The Staples Center is LA’s downtown sporting house of worship. The city’s own hockey team (the Kings) and basketball teams (the Lakers, Clippers and the Sparks) make the center their home. It’s also used for concerts and conventions. Tickets are available in person at the center’s box office or online through Ticketmaster (http://www.ticketmaster.com) where you will be charged a hefty service fee (see below).
1111 S Figueroa St, Los Angeles, CA 90015-1300
(213) 742-7100
http://www.staplescenter.com
The Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
The Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum is the only sports stadium in the world to twice host the Olympic games. The American Super Bowl and World Series have also been hosted here. The University of Southern Californian Trojans American college football team calls the Coliseum home and regular matches draw a full to capacity crowd. Concerts and special events are also held here. Tickets are purchased at their ticket office.
3939 South Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA 90037
(213) 747-7111
http://www.lacoliseumlive.com or email the box office at: boxoffice@lacoliseum.com
Sports
Baseball
The Los Angeles Dodgers baseball team was established in NYC in 1883. The team moved to LA in 1958. Sunday afternoon at the ball game is a favorite LA pastime.
Tickets can be purchased online through their website.
Dodger Stadium, 1000 Elysian Park Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90012
(323) 224-1507
http://www.dodgers.com
Basketball
The LA Lakers basketball team (http://www.nba.com/lakers) plays their home games at the Staples Center. The Lakers originated in Detroit, Michigan (from the city’s nickname, “Land of 10,000 Lakes”) in 1946 and transplanted to LA in 1960. Tickets are purchased through the NBA website and Ticketmaster, or the Staples Center box office.
The LA Clippers basketball team (http://www.nba.com/clippers) also play their home games at the Staples Center. They originated in 1970 as the Buffalo Braves and after a couple of moves, arrived in LA in 1984. Tickets can be purchased through the NBA website, Ticketmaster or at the Staples Center box office.
The LA Sparks is Los Angeles’ WNBA basketball team (http://www.wnba.com/sparks) and were one of the first original 8 teams of the WNBA. They have been playing in LA at the Staples Center since 1997. Tickets can be purchased through the WNBA website, Ticketmaster or at the Staples Center box office.
Hockey
The LA Kings (http://kings.nhl.com) have been playing hockey in Los Angeles since 1966. Their home is the Staples Center and tickets can be purchased through the NHL website, Ticketmaster or at the Staples Center box office.
Soccer (European Football)
LA Galaxy received unprecedented attention when England football giant, David Beckham joined the squad. Soccer, as it is known in the US, may be the top recreational sport in the country but its spectator fan base is a world away from the religious like devotion the sport attracts around the globe. The US national team is making waves in the national leagues and hopes of the big money sponsorship that US indigenous sports receive might just be round the corner. Expats can at least enjoy world-class football from the Galaxy and international opponents. Numerous bars and pubs broadcast football games for European and South American fans. Tickets purchased on team’s website or in person.
LA Galaxy
The Hope Depot Center,
18400 Avalon Boulevard, Carson, CA 90746
(310) 630-2250
http://www.lagalaxy.com
American Football
Soon to open is the Los Angeles Football Stadium and host to the city’s American football team despite the fact that LA hasn’t had an NFL (National Football Team) team since the Raiders in 1996. The brand new facilities featuring 600 acres of ground, 75,000 seats, 12,500 club seats and 176 suites, hope to entice a new NFL team. http://www.losangelesfootballstadium.com/
Tennis
The LA Tennis Open is held the last week of July and attracts all the major players of the world circuit. The tournament is held at UCLA (University California Los Angles) Tennis Center and tickets are available by telephoning or emailing the center. Tickets can also be purchased online through Concerttickets.org.
The LA Tennis Center – UCLA
UCLA Campus 555 Westwood Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 96137 (310) 824-1010 ext. 251
http://www.latennisopen.comor email ticketinfo@latennisopen.com
Information and tickets
Read the LA Times sport section for update local, national, and international sports news. Available at newspaper stands, small shops and online (http://latimes.com).
Ticketmaster have cornered the market in concert and event ticket selling. So much so that the company tends to buy up all available tickets and gives no option for customers but to pay the outrageous Ticketmaster service fees and hiked up ticket up prices for big names like Bruce Springsteen. The Boss was recently outraged when it came to his attention that fans had no time to purchase $40 tickets as Ticketmaster has bought up all available tickets and were charging more than four times the face value.
Ticketmaster (800) 745-3000 http://www.ticketmaster.com
