Intuit Dome opens up

Intuit Dome, the $2bn (£1.55bn/€1.82bn) new home of the Los Angeles Clippers, has made its official debut after overcoming initial teething problems relating to its entry and ticketing systems.

Bruno Mars yesterday (Thursday) staged the first of two back-to-back concerts at the privately-funded facility in Inglewood, California which set out a mission statement of “redefining what it means to be the best arena in the world”.

However, multiple reports have stated that fans at last night’s show were met with issues getting into the 18,000-seat venue. DailyMail.com said a technical issue with Intuit Dome’s ticketing system suspended entry to the venue. A number of ticket holders also claimed issues transferring their tickets from Ticketmaster to the official venue app, which is required for entry.

These issues were said to have lasted for 40 minutes, ultimately delaying the start of Mars’ set, which featured a guest appearance from Lady Gaga, as he took to the stage at around 9:40pm PST instead of the scheduled 9pm PST start. Visitors are required to download the LA Clippers + Intuit Dome app and create an account in order to access their tickets and the venue.

To gain access into the venue, fans need a Game Face ID saved in their profile or and Identity Pass saved to their phone. Game Face ID is reliant on facial recognition technology and allows fans to leave their phones in their pockets and walk straight into the venue. The Intuit Dome Identity Pass is the alternative option for entry, requiring a patron to have their phone in hand and their Identity Pass ready to tap upon entry.

The Clippers had shared Staples Center with the Los Angeles Lakers and NHL ice hockey team Los Angeles Kings since it opened in 1999, but had long been seeking a home of their own. The Intuit Dome project has been the brainchild of Clippers chairman Steve Ballmer, with the venue meeting its stated goal of delivery in time for the 2024-25 NBA season.

The Clippers signed financial software company Intuit as the naming rights sponsor of its new arena, as it broke ground on the project back in September 2021.

Intuit Dome has been designed to create an intimate and intense fan experience through features such as ‘The Wall,’ which is comprised of 51 uninterrupted rows of seats for 4,500 fans that include a dedicated supporters’ section; a two-sided halo scoreboard encircling the bowl with an acre of LED lighting; and an 80,000 square foot outdoor plaza, surrounding a full-size outdoor court.

Technological advancements within Intuit Dome will allow for frictionless concession stands, enabling fans to spend more time in their seats. AECOM was the architect behind the project, with AECOM Hunt the contractor and Henderson Engineers and Walter P Moore also playing key roles.

Making a speech ahead of the ribbon-cutting ceremony, Ballmer, former CEO of Microsoft, said: “This is the product where I had the clearest view of what we should do.”

He continued: “We also knew that our house had to be about more than just basketball. Our house was going to be about music and basketball and all the support and counsel. I think this is the best basketball facility ever built, and I hope you agree.”

The Clippers are due to play their first game in their new home on October 23, a fixture against the Phoenix Suns. Along with a raft of concerts, Intuit Dome has also already locked in other major events.

The NBA in January awarded All-Star 2026 to Los Angeles, while Intuit Dome will be the city’s basketball venue during the 2028 Olympic Games.