Last week, I visited Los Angeles for my son’s birthday, and we attended three NBA games.
The first was Clippers vs. Nuggets on Thursday at Intuit Dome, which opened about 18 months ago.
Here are our thoughts…
The Intuit Dome App And “Game Day Face” Is A Big Mess
To get into the event, you have to download the Intuit Dome app, which promises a “seamless entry.” However, it’s anything but that. It’s rated 1 star on the Apple App Store, and honestly, that feels accurate.
The big hurdle is facial ID, which they call “Game Day Face.” In theory, it’s supposed to speed things up. In reality, getting into Intuit Dome was one of the worst entry experiences I’ve had at any sports event.
Security Lines Were Slow And Outdated
First, there was a massive line just to get through security. They made everyone empty pockets completely—wallet, phone, everything. They also checked every bag and purse (why do people bring them in???).
I kept thinking: why aren’t they using the newer walk-through security systems where fans don’t have to remove everything?
Face Scan Didn’t Work And Turned Into Multiple Lines
After security, I got into the “Game Day Face” line, and it didn’t recognize me (my son got in fine). That meant:
- another line to get my ticket scanned manually
- then another line to actually get inside
They had so many workers directing people into different lines that it felt like they could’ve just manually scanned tickets from the start and gotten everyone in faster.
It also didn’t help that everyone gets funneled into one area like cattle. Leaving felt similar, too—like there’s basically one main exit through the same entrance.
Once Inside, Intuit Dome Is Incredible
The good news: once we got in, everything changed. Intuit Dome is impressive.
The arena is covered by an additional exterior structure, which makes the place feel even bigger. It also looks like they can host events outside the main dome.
Nosebleeds Were Surprisingly Great
We had “nosebleed” seats in section 331, middle rows, and we were blown away by how good they were.
The seats are really comfortable with plenty of cushioning (wow!). They also have built-in lights that flash when a player scores and during different in-game events and moments. Each seat even has a four-button controller you can use to play a game at halftime!
The arena is built steep, so you feel like you’re right on top of the court. Honestly, it seems like there aren’t many bad seats in the entire building.
Check it out:
The Massive 360 JumboTron Is A Game-Changer
My favorite part might be the jumbo screen that wraps around the arena. It felt like having a huge HD screen in front of you the whole time.
They ran replays from four different angles (super cool to see fouls replayed), and when players scored, they showed cool “3D”-style videos of the players. It looked awesome.
Cheap Tickets And A Great Value
I’d definitely go again. Tickets were surprisingly cheap—especially compared to the Lakers at Crypto.com Arena (which is also awesome, but costs way more).
If you want a fun NBA night in LA without getting destroyed on ticket prices, a Clippers game here is a great option.
Great Setup For Wrestling Or MMA Too
While watching the game, I kept thinking how good this place would be for wrestling or MMA. Since the seating is so steep, you’re close to the action no matter where you sit.
Food And Drinks Were Fast And Easy
Food and drink options were solid, and service moved fast thanks to the scan-your-card, walk-in, walk-out system. No standing around waiting to pay.
Final Thoughts On Intuit Dome
Intuit Dome delivers an incredible in-arena experience, and I’d go back in a heartbeat.
They just need to fix the entry process—because right now, the app and “Game Day Face” setup makes getting inside way harder than it should be.
