Industry News

Los Angeles Lakers are biggest draw ahead of new NBA season

Los Angeles Lakers are again the most in-demand team in the NBA, according to StubHub, having leap-frogged New York Knicks to reclaim their crown ahead of the 2017-18 season.

The Lakers – spurred by the addition of teenage sensation Lonzo Ball – command a 54 per cent lead in total sales on StubHub’s resale platform over No.2 team, the Knicks. Lakers were the most in-demand team in 2015, but dropped behind the Knicks and Golden State Warriors last year.

The Lakers, who play at the 21,000-capacity Staples Center, have seen a 129-per-cent increase in total ticket sales on StubHub compared to the same time last season. The Warriors’ trip to the Lakers, which will be Kobe Bryant’s jersey retirement ceremony, is also this season’s best-selling NBA game on StubHub.

The Boston Celtics, who reached last season’s conference finals, are the No.3 best-selling team this time around, the highest the franchise ranks in more than five years. Total ticket sales for the team have increased 48 per cent on StubHub since this time last season, and 104 per cent over the past three seasons.

Despite winning the 2016-17 championship, the Warriors have dropped from second to fourth place in terms of demand. The team has seen total ticket sales increase by three per cent year on year, however they are the most popular opponent to see when on the road.

A StubHub spokesperson said: “When Steph Curry and Kevin Durant come to town, StubHub sees an increase of 425 per cent in sales when the Warriors appear as visitors over the average sales of an NBA regular season game.”

IMAGE: David Jones