Lakers intend to implement significant increases in ticket prices for the 2026-27 season.
LOS ANGELES — The initial indication of new Lakers owner Mark Walter aiming to recoup his investment following the franchise’s acquisition at a $10 billion valuation emerged this week when the team distributed renewal forms to season-ticket holders.
As the 2026-27 season approaches, the Lakers have a significant ticket price increase planned.
Online basketball commentator Rob Perez outlined the costs in a post on X on Friday, noting a 14% rise in the price of seats in his section, along with an additional 3% administrative fee if the invoice is not settled in full at the outset.
Another long-time Lakers season-ticket holder, who has seats in the 300 level, reached out to ESPN and provided evidence of an even steeper price increase to retain his tickets. This season-ticket holder saw the cost for his seats soar from $6,192 in 2025-26 to $9,035 for ’26-27; the price in 2024-25 was $5,494.
This represents a 45.9% increase for the upcoming season compared to a 12.7% rise in the previous renewal cycle.
The Lakers confirmed the anticipated price hikes in a statement given to ESPN on Saturday.
“We are adjusting season ticket pricing for next season,” the statement indicated. “The updates reflect the current market landscape and demand.”
According to ESPN Research, the Lakers have averaged an attendance of 18,877 through the first 26 home games of the 2025-26 season.
The Crypto.com Arena’s website lists the full capacity for a Lakers game at 18,910, indicating that their seats have been 99.8% filled.
Another of Walter’s professional sports franchises in Los Angeles, the Dodgers, achieved a franchise record in attendance last season with 4,012,470 fans attending their regular season games, culminating in a second consecutive World Series championship.
The announcement of the Lakers’ ticket price increases followed the news that longtime president of business operations Tim Harris will resign at the end of the season, with Lon Rosen — who has served as the Dodgers’ executive vice president and chief marketing officer for over a decade — already designated to succeed Harris.
Harris’ email to season ticket holders regarding the price increases, which was obtained by ESPN, included an introduction that specifically mentioned Luka Doncic, LeBron James, and Austin Reaves:
“The Lakers are iconic. Expectations are always high. Every season is about earning another title. Every season is about elite competition and premium basketball because nothing compares to success with the Purple and Gold.
“This legacy of excellence sets the tone for everything the Lakers represent.
“Luka’s shaping the present and future of the game in real time with vision, control, and impact every night. LeBron continues to define what longevity, excellence, and leadership look like in this league. Year after year, the benchmark holds. Austin’s star power has no ceiling; his dedication to the game is unmatched.
“With a roster led by JJ Redick’s elite basketball mind, the Lakers make every game a show. This is complete basketball. It’s the combination of talent and leadership that puts the Lakers at the forefront of sports.”
