Bruno Mars kicked off the grand opening of Inglewood’s Intuit Dome, the newly constructed $2 billion arena that will be home to the NBA’s Los Angeles Clippers, with a concert despite facing entry delays caused by technical issues.
The highly anticipated event began later than scheduled, with Mars taking the stage just before 10 p.m. instead of the planned 8 p.m. start time. The delay stemmed from problems with the arena’s facial recognition system, which caused long wait times for thousands of fans outside.
Once the show commenced, attendees were treated to an exciting performance, including a surprise collaboration with Lady Gaga for their new song, “Die With a Smile.” Earlier in the evening, a ribbon-cutting ceremony marked the official opening of the venue.
Concertgoer Bettie Tillman expressed enthusiasm for both the new stadium and Mars’ performance, saying, “I’m excited about the new beginning here in Inglewood.”
The Intuit Dome, spanning 26 acres and featuring nearly 18,000 seats, has been a major project for years. Construction began in September 2021, situated near SoFi Stadium and the Kia Forum.
Inglewood Mayor James Butts remarked on the significance of the new arena, stating, “But now, we will have the newest, grandest stadium in the world, SoFi, and the newest, grandest arena in the world – the Intuit Dome. There are no words.”
The venue’s development faced challenges, including legal hurdles due to the proximity of the Forum, which led to a lawsuit. However, in 2020, Clippers owner Steve Ballmer resolved the issue by acquiring the Forum from Madison Square Garden Co. for $400 million.
While the Forum will continue to serve as a music venue, the Intuit Dome will primarily host Clippers games, marking a significant change for the team, which previously shared the downtown Crypto.com Arena with the Lakers.
Ballmer has touted the Intuit Dome as a technologically advanced facility, featuring a two-sided “Halo Board” scoreboard and various interactive elements, such as mounted T-shirt cannons. It includes multiple basketball courts, extensive training facilities, a large outdoor plaza with dining options, and a designated fan area known as “The Wall” that restricts entry to only Clippers supporters.
Visitors will need to download the Intuit Dome app to gain entry, creating an account that enables them to use a “Game Face ID” for seamless access or an “Identity Pass” for scanning tickets. The venue operates on a cashless system, requiring users to upload payment methods for purchases.
Bruno Mars will perform again on Friday, marking his first Los Angeles shows in six years. Additional upcoming performances include comedian Sebastian Maniscalco on Saturday, Marco Antonio Solis on Sunday, and Olivia Rodrigo on August 20-21. Other acts scheduled for the venue include Twenty One Pilots, Slipknot, Usher, Weezer, and Billy Joel.
The Intuit Dome has also been selected to host the 2026 NBA All-Star Game and will serve as a basketball venue for the 2028 Summer Olympics.