The Lakers are relocating their G League team out of El Segundo and to the Coachella Valley, where they will now be known as the Coachella Valley Lakers.
The Coachella Valley Lakers will begin playing at Acrisure Arena in Palm Desert starting with the 2026-27 G League season, joining the Seattle Kraken’s AHL affiliate, the Coachella Valley Firebirds, as tenants at the 11,000-seat arena.
“Moving the Lakers’ G League team to the Coachella Valley is an incredible opportunity for the organization,” Lon Rosen, the Lakers’ president of business operations, said in a press release. “The Lakers have had a strong presence in the region for decades, from the Showtime Lakers holding training camp in the 1980s to more recent preseason games.
“We are looking forward to extending that experience and becoming a staple for Coachella Valley sports and entertainment,” Rosen added. “Acrisure Arena is the perfect modern venue that provides an incredible fan-first experience, while ensuring players have the premium facilities and space they need on game day.”
Since 2017, the Lakers’ G League team – first known as the Los Angeles D-Fenders – has played at the team’s training facility in El Segundo. The Lakers were the first team to own and operate their own G League franchise, which first launched in 2006.
The South Bay Lakers just wrapped up a campaign in which they finished with a 26-10 record and in first place in the Western Conference. They had secured the top seed in the G League playoffs before exiting in the semifinals after most of the team’s leading players were called up as depth to help the Lakers weather the injuries to Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves at the end of the regular season.
“We couldn’t be more excited to welcome the Los Angeles Lakers’ G League affiliate to Coachella Valley,” Amy Latimer, who is the chief business officer at Oak View Group, which owns and operates Acrisure Arena, said in a press release.
“The addition of a G League franchise in the Coachella Valley builds on the diverse event offerings at Acrisure Arena, adding another layer of excitement and solidifying the venue as a premier destination for sports and entertainment in the region. We appreciate all partners whose collaboration and dedication made this possible.”
The Lakers are already taking deposits for season tickets in Coachella Valley, starting at $100 per account. Details can be found on the team’s website: coachellavalleylakers.com.
