Coachella Valley Lakers: What to Know Before You Go

The Coachella Valley Lakers give desert basketball fans a home team at Acrisure Arena. For anyone who likes the idea of following players on their way toward the NBA, that is a good reason to put a game on the calendar.

The basketball is the easy part. Before buying tickets, figure out how many games you actually want to attend, who is coming and how you are getting there. The smallest advertised price does not always mean the smallest commitment.

How are they connected to the LA Lakers?

The Coachella Valley Lakers are the Los Angeles Lakers’ NBA G League affiliate. The franchise previously played in El Segundo as the South Bay Lakers before relocating to the desert.

The G League is the NBA’s development league. Rosters include players trying to earn NBA opportunities, along with players assigned by NBA teams and those on two-way contracts who can play in both leagues.

That makes following a player’s progress part of the appeal. Buy a ticket for the Coachella Valley team and the game itself; a Lakers logo does not promise the Los Angeles roster will be on the court.

Where do they play?

Home games are at Acrisure Arena, which also hosts Coachella Valley Firebirds hockey. The address is 75702 Varner Road, Palm Desert.

Use that address when planning the evening. Dinner in downtown Palm Springs and a game at Acrisure are separate stops with a drive between them. Leave room for parking and getting through the doors, too.

Our Acrisure Arena guide has more on the building and making a night of it.

Which ticket option makes sense?

Start with the games you can attend, then compare the packages. A season’s worth of good intentions can get expensive.

• Trying one game: Check the team’s ticket information for individual-game availability before committing to a package.
• Following the whole season: A season membership covers the home schedule. Compare the full commitment and included benefits, not just the advertised per-game figure.
• Wanting a set of dates: The half-season plans offer two different 12-game schedules. Read the actual dates before choosing one.
• Bringing different people to different games: The 12-ticket flex plan lets you choose games and ticket quantities. Twelve tickets is not the same thing as twelve outings for the whole family. Confirm seat availability and redemption details before paying.

Compare the total for your group, including any fees and parking. For seats, use the basketball layout attached to the game you are buying; a concert seating chart answers a different question.

Sort out parking before leaving home

Acrisure charges for parking, with rates that vary by event. Its parking page links to advance passes and shows arrival, exit and rideshare routes.

Open your parking pass before reaching the lot. Cell service in the parking areas is limited, and there is no parking-lot Wi-Fi. The line behind you is a poor place to discover your phone has decided to take the evening off.

If someone is dropping you off or you are using rideshare, check the designated pickup area before the game as well.

A few things to handle before tipoff

• Get your mobile tickets ready. Add them to your phone’s wallet and transfer tickets ahead of time if your group is arriving separately. Screenshots will not scan. The arena’s mobile-ticket instructions explain the process.
• Check your bag. Acrisure limits bag sizes and allows qualifying clear bags and small clutches, with exceptions for medical and diaper bags. Read the entry policies before packing.
• Bring a card or mobile payment method. The arena is cashless.
• Check the game’s entry and child-ticket details. Confirm the rules for your youngest fan before placing the order, and use the event listing for door times.