Crypto.com Arena formally announces three-year plan for arena upgrades

Happy Monday, Insiders!

Back in June, we covered several upgrades coming to Crypto.com Arena here on LAKI, focusing on the changes that will be coming to the home of the Kings as soon as this fall. Earlier today, the arena released a full-scale renovation plan, encompassing changes coming to the building over the course of the next three years.

Described as a “nine-figure investment”, the changes coming will impact both Crypto.com Arena and L.A. LIVE’s Xbox Plaza, with a final completion date set for the fall of 2024. The renovations will come in three waves, with the first set to be completed for Opening Night on October 11. For a detailed look at the first set of renovations to come, see our story HERE from June, including quotes and information specifically regarding the Kings.

Below are some provided renderings of what some of the larger-scale renovations will look like upon completion, along with the descriptions provided by the building itself. As noted in the previous article, the new LED panels, along with a renovated Impact Sports Bar & Grill, Chariman’s Club and a suite-level refresh will be completed in advance of the 2022-23 season, set to begin in less than two months’ time. Other projects will be completed in advance of the 2023-24 season, including half of the tunnel club, with the fully renovated arena set to debut with the 2024-25 season. Coming in Phase 3 will be the fully completed tunnel club, as well as the new-look City View Terrace and main concourse suites.

All descriptions below were provided by Crypto.com Arena.

City View Terrace
A reimagined City View Terrace with flexible indoor-outdoor dining and entertainment experiences where fans can eat, drink and socialize while overlooking the expansive downtown Los Angeles skyline to the north and the arena bowl to the south.

Tunnel Club
The development of Crypto.com Arena’s first-ever multi-level Tunnel Club that will feature new hospitality spaces and an exclusive Event Level viewing experience that offers select season ticket members and other VIP guests a personal backstage window to watch players and performers as they enter and exit their locker rooms.

Chairman’s Club
An expanded and reimagined Chairman’s Club that will offer select season ticket members and VIP guests with new benefits and experiences at Crypto.com Arena’s most private and sought-after location before, during, and after events.

Main Concourse Suites
The creation of the arena’s first-ever Main Concourse suites that will provide guests with premium seating’s closest view of the action on the court, ice or stage.

LED Screens
The installation of two new LED screens and ribbon boards visible to the upper and lower bowl seating areas.

Impact Sports Bar & Grill
A redesigned and upgraded Impact Sports Bar & Grill on the Main Concourse that will include new food and beverage menus.

Additionally, improvements to the main concourse will be marked by an entirely new arrival experience, as well as upgrades to the upper-level concourse including new food offerings, among other fan amenities. A redesign of the dining areas in the Yaamava’ and Lexus Clubs, as well as other hospitality spaces, on top of a refresh of the arena’s premium and suite level entrances, concourses throughout the venue as well as the locker rooms of the Kings, Lakers and Sparks.

Beyond just the renovations at Crypto.com Arena, the project will expand L.A. LIVE’s Xbox Plaza, with the goal of connecting the outdoor gathering space with the arena itself. The renovation will include two new state-of-the-art electronic outdoor marquees featuring the latest in LED and video technology.

The arena’s design and renovations will be overseen by the original architects, Dan Meis and Ron Turner, both of whom have spent the last two decades working with multi-purpose sports and live entertainment experiences. The project also reunites AEG with PCL Construction will reprise their role as general contractor for the arena. The two companies previously worked together on numerous projects including the J.W. Marriott Hotel Conference Center and the Olympic West Parking Structure, along with other professional sports facilities such as Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, CA.

Renovations Quotes

Kelly Cheeseman, COO, AEG Sports
Enhancing and moving forward the fan experience at LA Kings games is something we consistently work to accomplish. This comprehensive and wide-ranging project is the most significant re-imagining of our home in the history of our arena. The upgrades will not only improve everybody’s experience, but it will also provide a new life and energy into our arena beginning this fall. When completed, we will have worked from floor to ceiling to enhance every fan’s overall experience. We are excited about what this project will bring to the 18000+ proud Kings fans we see at each game.

Dan Beckerman, President and CEO, AEG
Crypto.com Arena is part of the fabric of Los Angeles, and we are incredibly proud of the role it continues to play in creating some of the most memorable moments in sports and entertainment. Since its opening, we have invested hundreds of millions of dollars to ensure that the venue remains state-of-the-art, while consistently creating a world-class event and fan experience. The investment in these renovations demonstrates the ongoing commitment of AEG, the Lakers and the Kings to deliver the best experiences for all of our fans, partners, artists and teams.

Lee Zeidman, President of Crypto.com Arena, Microsoft Theater and L.A. LIVE.
The wide-ranging renovations to the arena and Xbox Plaza will provide fans with entirely new ways to experience their favorite sports and music events. In addition to creating new and refreshed hospitality options and spaces on multiple levels throughout the arena, nearly all public and backstage areas of Crypto.com Arena will be included in this transformative project. When the wide-ranging renovations are completed, guests, players and fans of the Kings, Lakers and Sparks, and performers coming to Crypto.com Arena and L.A. LIVE will all experience new offerings.

Kris Marszalek, Co-Founder and CEO of Crypto.com.
We partnered with AEG because of their commitment to best-in-class fan experiences and entertainment. We’re just at the beginning of our long-term partnership and we’re excited to support AEG’s investment in this renovation, demonstrating our joint commitment to ensure Crypto.com Arena maintains its status as a global icon.

Michele Kajiwara, Senior Vice President, Premium & Events Business at Crypto.com Arena
This renovation represents an exciting opportunity that will allow us to reimagine the premium experience for our guests with the creation of new premium inventory inside of our building. We look forward to bringing even more value and unforgettable fan experiences to both our new and existing premium members as we embark on this project and the next phase of Crypto.com Arena’s incredible legacy together.

Kevin Rieger, Project Manager and Sr. Vice President, Real Estate Development, AEG
It was a dream come true that we were able to convince Dan and Ron, who now work at two unaffiliated firms, to come together again to enhance their incredible original design and vision. Bringing them back will help ensure that the arena’s unrivaled character and ambiance will continue and that every detail will be designed to enhance the guest experience in an authentic way.

Ron Turner, Principal/Global Director of Sports for Gensler
As one of the original designers, this is an exciting time to be once again partnered with Dan Meis on this reimagination of Crypto.com Arena. This partnership created an amazing building design that has stood the test of time in the Sports and Entertainment Capital of the World. For the next evolution of Crypto.com Arena, we are working with our partner AEG to respectfully design important enhancements to the Fan Experience and enjoyment for all of the guests, teams and entertainers who are a part of the entertainment legacy this building has created in Los Angeles.

Dan Meis, Founder/Owner MEIS
It is a rare opportunity for an architect to revisit a building he has designed, particularly one as important to our careers as STAPLES Center was for Ron and myself. It has been incredibly rewarding to see how important the building became to L.A. through the success of the Lakers and Kings, and so many unforgettable concerts and events. We are both thrilled to be working with AEG to insure Crypto.com Arena remains one of the world’s most successful event buildings for the next 30 years.

Is that enough quotes? I don’t know if that’s enough quotes.

Anyways, some cool things are in the works at the home of the Kings!