NBA Play-In Tournament 2026
Los Angeles at Intuit Dome

Play-In Tournament starts April 15, 2026

Tickets go on sale approximately 48 to 72 hours before tip-off through AXS.com. Set up your AXS account now and enable Clippers game notifications. Do not wait until the on-sale day — Play-In tickets for marquee opponents sell out within hours.

7 seed vs. 8 seed

7 seed hosts · Winner → 7 seed in First Round

Clippers host this game if they are the 7 seed

9 seed vs. 10 seed

9 seed hosts · Winner advances to Game 3

No Clippers home game unless they are the 9 seed

Loser of Game 1 vs. Winner of Game 2

Loser of Game 1 hosts · Winner → 8 seed in First Round

Clippers host this game if they lost Game 1 as the 7 seed

Key fact for Clippers fans: If the Clippers finish as the 7 seed, they host Game 1 and (if they lose) Game 3 at Intuit Dome. If they finish 8th, they play Game 1 on the road but could host Game 3. If they finish 9th or 10th, there are no Clippers home games during the Play-In window.

Create an AXS account now

Go to AXS.com and create a free account. Save a payment method. Do not wait until the on-sale date — the checkout process takes minutes and can cost you tickets if you are logging in for the first time during a rush.

Enable Clippers notifications

Download the Intuit Dome app and enable push notifications for LA Clippers games. AXS also sends email notifications for on-sales. Both channels alert you when Play-In tickets go live, typically 48 to 72 hours before tip-off.

Buy tickets and parking together

The moment tickets go on sale, open a second tab for Intuit Dome parking simultaneously. Parking structures sell out within hours of the game tickets for high-demand Play-In opponents. Do not wait until after you secure tickets.

Check AXS resale for sold-out games

AXS operates an official resale marketplace where existing ticket holders relist verified tickets. This is the safest secondary market. Barcodes regenerate when transferred, unlike third-party resale platforms where screenshots can fail at the gate.

Intuit Dome has three parking structures on Century Blvd and Prairie Ave. Play-In pricing: $35 to $50 per structure. Pre-purchase through the Intuit Dome app is required. From the 405, take Century Blvd east. From the 105, take Prairie Ave north. From the 110, take Century Blvd west.

The Downtown Inglewood station is a 10-minute walk from the arena. From downtown LA (7th St/Metro Center): 25 to 35 minutes, $1.75. From LAX: take the People Mover to Aviation/LAX, then K Line to Downtown Inglewood (30 to 40 minutes). Metro completely avoids Century Blvd traffic.

What is the NBA Play-In Tournament 2026?

The NBA Play-In Tournament is a mini-bracket that determines the 7th and 8th seeds in each conference before the first round of the NBA Playoffs begins. In 2026, the Play-In runs April 15-18. Seeds 7 through 10 in each conference compete. The 7 seed hosts the 8 seed — the winner advances as the 7 seed, the loser gets another chance. The 9 seed hosts the 10 seed — the winner advances to play the loser of the 7-vs-8 game, with the winner of that game advancing as the 8 seed. The First Round of the NBA Playoffs then begins April 19 with all eight seeds per conference set.

When is the 2026 NBA Play-In Tournament at Intuit Dome?

The 2026 NBA Play-In Tournament runs April 15-18, 2026. If the LA Clippers are seeded 7th or 8th in the Western Conference, they host one home game during the Play-In window. If the Clippers are the 7 seed, they host the 8 seed. If the Clippers finish 9th or 10th, they play on the road first. The exact game date and tip-off time for any Clippers home Play-In game are confirmed once the final Western Conference standings are set at the end of the regular season.

How many home Play-In games could the Clippers host at Intuit Dome?

The Clippers can host a maximum of two home Play-In games at Intuit Dome. If they are the 7 seed, they host the 8 seed in Game 1 of the Play-In. If they win, they advance as the 7 seed with no second home game. If they lose, they host a second home game against the winner of the 9-vs-10 game — the winner of that game advances as the 8 seed. If the Clippers finish 9th or 10th, all Play-In games are away and there are no home games at Intuit Dome during the Play-In window.

How do I buy NBA Play-In Tournament 2026 tickets for Intuit Dome?

Play-In Tournament tickets for Clippers home games are sold exclusively through AXS.com and the official Intuit Dome app. Individual game tickets go on sale approximately 48 to 72 hours before tip-off, once the final standings and matchup are confirmed. Play-In games sell out faster than regular-season games and nearly as fast as First Round playoff games. Set up your AXS account now, save a payment method, and enable notifications for Clippers games so you are ready the moment tickets drop. Do not wait — Play-In games against marquee opponents sell out within hours of going on sale.

How much are NBA Play-In Tournament 2026 tickets for Clippers games?

Clippers Play-In Tournament ticket prices at Intuit Dome are typically between regular season prices and First Round playoff prices. Expect $75 to $250 for upper bowl sections, $150 to $500 for lower bowl sections, and $50 to $200 for The Wall (C1-C4) bench seating. Prices vary significantly based on the opponent — a Play-In game against the Lakers or Warriors will price closer to a First Round playoff game. Check AXS for primary market prices when the on-sale opens, or the AXS resale marketplace for sold-out games.

What is the NBA Play-In Tournament format and how does it work?

The NBA Play-In Tournament has four teams per conference compete in two games to fill the 7th and 8th seeds for the Playoffs. Game 1: the 7 seed hosts the 8 seed. Winner advances as the 7 seed. Game 2: the 9 seed hosts the 10 seed. Winner advances. Game 3: the loser of Game 1 hosts the winner of Game 2. Winner advances as the 8 seed. Each team in the Play-In has at least one home game (except the 10 seed, which plays first on the road). The entire Play-In window is April 15-18, 2026. The First Round begins April 19.

Is a Play-In Tournament game different from a regular NBA Playoffs game at Intuit Dome?

Yes, in a few important ways. Play-In games are single-elimination (no best-of-7 series) which creates a do-or-die atmosphere similar to a Game 7. The crowd energy at Intuit Dome for a Play-In game tends to be exceptionally high given the stakes. Ticket prices are slightly lower than First Round playoff games but higher than regular season. The Wall section (C1-C4) is particularly electric for Play-In games. Game length is typically 2 to 2.5 hours, similar to a regular season game. Security, bag policy, and parking procedures are identical to regular Clippers games.

What time do doors open for Clippers Play-In Tournament games at Intuit Dome?

Intuit Dome doors open 90 minutes before tip-off for all playoff and Play-In games. Tip-off times for 2026 Play-In games are typically 7:30 PM or 10:00 PM PT for games broadcast on ESPN or TNT. The specific time is announced once the broadcast schedule is finalized. Arrive at least 60 to 75 minutes before tip-off for Play-In games — parking and security lines move faster for these games than First Round matchups, but Century Blvd still backs up on high-demand evenings.

Is there parking at Intuit Dome for the Play-In Tournament?

Yes. Intuit Dome has three official parking structures on Century Blvd and Prairie Ave. Parking for Play-In games costs $35 to $50, slightly higher than regular season ($30 to $50) but typically lower than First Round playoff prices ($40 to $60). Pre-purchase is required through the Intuit Dome app — all structures can sell out for Play-In home games, especially against high-demand opponents. Purchase parking within the same session that you buy your tickets. The Metro K Line to Downtown Inglewood station is a reliable 10-minute walk if parking is sold out.

Can I use the Metro K Line to get to a Play-In Tournament game at Intuit Dome?

Yes. The Metro K Line is one of the best options for Play-In games at Intuit Dome. The Downtown Inglewood station is a 10-minute walk from the arena main entrance. From downtown LA, take the K Line from 7th St/Metro Center (25 to 35 minutes, $1.75). From LAX, take the free People Mover to Aviation/LAX, then the K Line to Downtown Inglewood (30 to 40 minutes total). Metro avoids Century Blvd traffic entirely and is the most time-consistent option when parking structures are sold out.

What happens if the Clippers lose the Play-In Tournament?

If the Clippers finish as the 7 or 8 seed and lose both their Play-In games, they are eliminated from the Playoffs and there are no First Round home games at Intuit Dome. If the Clippers finish 9th or 10th and lose their Play-In game, they are eliminated. In any elimination scenario, the regular NBA season concludes for the Clippers without a First Round series. The Playoffs at Intuit Dome would only resume if the Clippers advance through the Play-In to the First Round, which begins April 19.

Are there Play-In Tournament games at Intuit Dome if the Clippers are a top-6 seed?

No. If the Clippers finish the regular season as a top-6 seed in the Western Conference (seeds 1 through 6), they skip the Play-In Tournament entirely and advance directly to the First Round of the NBA Playoffs, which begins April 19, 2026. In that scenario, there are no Clippers home games during the April 15-18 Play-In window. First Round tickets would go on sale through AXS approximately 48 to 72 hours before each home game once the bracket is confirmed.

What is the bag policy for Clippers Play-In Tournament games at Intuit Dome?

The standard Intuit Dome bag policy applies for Play-In Tournament games. Clear bags up to 12x6x12 inches are permitted. Small clutch purses up to 4.5x6.5 inches with no strap are allowed. No backpacks, purses, or non-clear bags larger than the clutch size are permitted. Security lines for Play-In games are faster than First Round playoff games but still require 10 to 20 minutes. Have your mobile ticket (AXS app) ready before you reach the security checkpoint.

What is the best way to find out when Clippers Play-In tickets go on sale?

The most reliable way is to enable AXS notifications for the LA Clippers. When Play-In game tickets go on sale (48 to 72 hours before tip-off), AXS sends a push notification and email if you have alerts enabled. You can also follow the official @LAClippers account on social media and monitor the Clippers website. The Intuit Dome app also sends push notifications for game on-sales. Do not rely on news coverage alone — by the time an article about on-sale goes live, desirable sections are often already sold out.

How does Play-In seating at Intuit Dome compare to regular season games?

Seating sections and prices change relative to regular season for Play-In games. The Wall (C1-C4) behind the south basket is the loudest and sells out first for any high-stakes game — arrive as early as possible if this is your target section. Lower bowl sections 108-114 along the center sideline offer the best balanced view and the highest ticket prices. Upper bowl sections 210-214 deliver the best value — the halo scoreboard provides clear replays from every seat. Club level (above the lower bowl) includes lounge access and in-seat service for a premium price.