The Los Angeles Sparks announced a major move Tuesday, relocating several home games to the larger Crypto.com Arena, reflecting the growing popularity of the WNBA and the anticipated impact of rookie sensation Caitlin Clark. The change affects the team's games against the Indiana Fever, Dallas Wings and Minnesota Lynx, originally set to take place at Walter Pyramid on Long Beach State's campus.
The Sparks' game against Clark and the Fever May 24 will now be held at the 19,067-seat Crypto.com Arena, a significant increase from Walter Pyramid's capacity of 5,000. The shift to Crypto.com Arena, where the Sparks typically play, allows for a larger audience amid heightened interest in women's basketball. The team’s President, Christine Monjer, highlighted the benefits of moving back to their regular home venue.
“Women's basketball is experiencing unprecedented viewership and attendance numbers so moving these games back to Crypto.com Arena provides us the ability to have more fans in the stands and have our players back to competing on their home floor,” Monjer said, as reported by the Associated Press.
The Sparks' decision aligns with a broader trend in the WNBA, where teams are adjusting venues to accommodate larger crowds, particularly for games involving high-profile players like Clark. The Las Vegas Aces recently relocated their matchup against the Fever from Michelob Ultra Arena to the larger T-Mobile Arena, anticipating heightened excitement for Clark and fellow 2023 No. 1 draft pick Aliyah Boston.
Caitlin Clark's impact on the WNBA
Clark’s impact on the league is already being felt, even before her regular season WNBA debut. The Fever's first-round pick is expected to draw significant crowds, influencing teams to make adjustments to accommodate her growing fanbase. The Sparks' move to Crypto.com Arena also reflects the WNBA’s increasing popularity, with record-breaking viewership and rising attendance across the league.
The Sparks initially planned to play at Walter Pyramid due to construction at Crypto.com Arena, but the change allows for a larger audience for the games May 24, May 26 and June 5. The team will still open its season at Walter Pyramid against the Atlanta Dream May 15 and against the Washington Mystics on May 21.
The trend of moving to larger venues in the WNBA isn't isolated to Los Angeles. The Mystics similarly moved their June 7 matchup against the Fever to Capital One Arena to accommodate increased demand, highlighting Clark's impact on ticket sales and fan engagement. This increasing interest is reflected in the pricing of WNBA games, where the Fever's games are now among the highest-priced, highlighting the market's recognition of Clark's impact.
Clark’s transition from college to the WNBA has generated immense interest, driven by her standout performances at Iowa, where she set multiple scoring records. Her popularity, along with the success of other high-profile players, is reshaping the WNBA landscape, with teams and venues adapting to the surge in fan interest.
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