Sporting Events in Los Angeles This October: Dodgers and Lakers Games Explained

Los Angeles sports fans, clear your calendars. October 2026 is bringing playoff baseball, the return of NBA basketball, and enough rivalry action to keep the group chat busy for weeks. The Dodgers are hosting the Milwaukee Brewers in the National League Championship Series, while the Lakers have four home games at Crypto.com Arena in less than two weeks. And we're not talking about just any games. There's a preseason finale against Denver, a season opener against Golden State, a city rivalry with the Clippers, and a late-night matchup with Portland.

If you're looking for sporting events in Los Angeles this October, here are five games worth putting on your calendar:

• October 14: Dodgers vs. Milwaukee Brewers - NLCS Game 3

• October 16: Lakers vs. Denver Nuggets - Preseason finale

• October 21: Lakers vs. Golden State Warriors - Regular-season opener

• October 23: Lakers vs. LA Clippers - Los Angeles rivalry

• October 27: Lakers vs. Portland Trail Blazers - Regular-season matchup

We'll cover start times, ticket prices, recent results, parking costs, and how to get there without turning game day into a traffic survival challenge. Ticket prices referenced below were checked on October 12, 2026, and may change with availability. If you're heading out with friends or arriving in a Sprinter van, pay particular attention to the parking information. Los Angeles arenas have rules, and unfortunately, enthusiasm for your team doesn't count as a parking permit.

What Is Happening at the Dodgers vs. Brewers Game on October 14?

October baseball in Los Angeles isn't exactly a low-stress activity. Especially when a trip to the World Series is on the line. On Wednesday, October 14, the Los Angeles Dodgers host the Milwaukee Brewers for Game 3 of the National League Championship Series (NLCS). It's the first game of the series played in Los Angeles, following the opening two games in Milwaukee.

The NLCS is a best-of-seven series, meaning the first team to win four games advances to the World Series. Milwaukee holds home-field advantage, but Los Angeles gets its chance to make some noise at Dodger Stadium. The Dodgers advanced past Atlanta, while the Brewers eliminated San Diego, setting up a rematch of the 2025 NLCS.

Game details: First pitch is scheduled for 5:00 PM Pacific Time at UNIQLO Field at Dodger Stadium, 1000 Vin Scully Avenue, Los Angeles. Parking gates typically open around 2.5 hours before the game, with stadium gates opening about two hours before first pitch. Check the Dodger Stadium A–Z Guide before heading out. The Dodgers are also scheduled to host Game 4 on October 15 and Game 5 on October 16, if necessary. MLB's postseason ticket policy provides automatic refunds for games that are not played.

As of the October 12 price check, remaining official primary tickets were listed at approximately 157.05–221.95, while SeatGeek resale tickets started around $145 including fees. You can compare availability through official Dodgers tickets. Seating ranges from premium Dugout and Baseline Club areas to the upper-level Top Deck and outfield Pavilions. Use the 3D seating map to check the view before purchasing. Tickets are mobile-only through the MLB Ballpark app.

Who Won the Last Dodgers Game?

The Dodgers' most recent confirmed completed game in the supplied research was NLCS Game 1 on October 11 in Milwaukee, where the Brewers won 2–1. Dodgers pitcher Tarik Skubal retired nine of the first ten hitters, and Andy Pages put Los Angeles ahead with a second-inning single. Milwaukee responded when Brice Turang tied the game in the fourth inning. Luis Lara then delivered the winning run with a fifth-inning single following a walk and sacrifice bunt. Read the MLB Game 1 recap.

Game 2 is scheduled for October 12 in Milwaukee, so the series standing should be refreshed after that game concludes. For Dodgers fans heading to Game 3, one thing is certain: there's plenty at stake.

Where Can You Park a Sprinter Van at Dodger Stadium?

Here's where group planning gets important. Postseason parking at Dodger Stadium is prepaid only, and cash is not accepted. At the October 12 check, general parking cost $70, while a Bus/Limo parking pass cost $115. Prepaid parking sales close three hours before first pitch. The Dodgers classify vehicles that cannot fit within a standard parking space as oversized. Those vehicles are directed to Lot 12 through Sunset Gate A, accessed from Vin Scully Avenue.

For groups traveling in a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, vehicle length matters. Dodger Stadium uses open-air surface lots, so garage height clearance isn't the issue. A 170-inch-wheelbase or extended Sprinter should use the Bus/Limo parking arrangement. Even for a shorter 144-inch-wheelbase Sprinter, confirming oversized parking before arrival is the safer approach. There are alternatives if you'd rather skip stadium parking. The Dodger Stadium Express runs from Union Station and is free with a game ticket. Uber pickup is designated in Lot 1 via Gate B. One more thing: tailgating isn't permitted in the stadium lots. Save the celebration for the stands.

What Should You Know About the Lakers vs. Denver Nuggets Preseason Game?

The Lakers are wrapping up preseason basketball with a familiar Western Conference opponent: the Denver Nuggets. Their October 16 matchup is the Lakers' final preseason game before the 2026–27 regular season. It's an exhibition, so the result won't affect the standings, and coaches may limit starters' playing time. That makes it a chance to see rotations, newer players, and the final preparations before the games start counting.

The game tips off Friday at 7:30 PM PT, with doors opening at 6:00 PM at Crypto.com Arena, 1111 S. Figueroa Street, Los Angeles. Official event details. Tickets through Ticketmaster started at approximately $23 for upper-level resale seats, with primary tickets from $38.05, including fees before tax, at the October 12 price check. Parking is another expense to account for. The official Lot W parking pass was listed at $45, but standard parking passes aren't valid for Sprinter vans or other oversized vehicles. Oversized parking must be arranged with Crypto.com Arena Parking Services at (213) 765-6815, at least ten days ahead. And pack light. The arena generally prohibits bags except small clutches measuring less than 5 × 9 × 1 inches, subject to its published exceptions.

The last Lakers–Nuggets meeting gave fans a little more drama than anyone needed on a Saturday night. On March 14, 2026, Los Angeles beat Denver 127–125 in overtime, with Luka Dončić hitting a jumper with 0.5 seconds left. Austin Reaves scored 32 points, while Aaron Gordon led Denver with 27. See the NBA game recap. Preseason won't necessarily deliver that kind of finish, but it's a much more affordable way to enjoy Lakers basketball than some of the regular-season games ahead.

Why Is the Lakers vs. Golden State Warriors Game the Season Opener?

The Lakers are opening the regular season against the Golden State Warriors. Because apparently starting the year quietly was never an option. On Wednesday, October 21, at 7:00 PM PT, the Lakers host Golden State at Crypto.com Arena. It's the first regular-season game of 2026–27 for both teams, played on the second night of the NBA season, with national coverage on ESPN. Lakers official schedule.

The matchup carries some recent history. These teams opened the previous season at the same arena, with Golden State winning 119–109. The Lakers then recovered to take the 2025–26 regular-season series 3–1. And don't confuse this opener with their NBA Cup meeting. That game is scheduled for October 30 in San Francisco. The October 21 game is also the priciest of the four Lakers matchups in this guide. At the October 12 check, upper-level resale tickets started at approximately $123, standard admission at $170.60, and lower-bowl seats around $306. Ticketmaster limits purchases to six tickets per buyer, so larger groups should coordinate their purchases carefully.

Before choosing a section, check the official Lakers gameday guide for seating and entry information.

Did Curry Play in the Last Game Against the Lakers?

Yes. Stephen Curry played in the teams' October 6, 2026 preseason meeting at Chase Center, where Golden State defeated Los Angeles 124–98. Curry scored 16 points in just 14 minutes. Yaxel Lendeborg led the Warriors with 17 points and nine rebounds, while Sandro Mamukelashvili scored 15 for Los Angeles. The Lakers rested Luka Dončić, Austin Reaves, and Collin Sexton in that matchup. The two teams are scheduled to meet again in preseason on October 13 in Las Vegas, so their most recent head-to-head result may change before the regular-season opener. As for Curry's availability on October 21, don't assume a preseason appearance guarantees anything. Check official team injury reports on game day.

Can You Park a Sprinter Van at Crypto.com Arena?

Not in the arena's standard parking garages. This is one of those details worth checking before your group reaches downtown LA. The arena's Lots 1, SW VIP, W, E, and C specifically exclude limousines, buses, Sprinter vans, and oversized vehicles from standard parking passes. Garage clearances also create problems: Lot 1 has a 7-foot clearance, Lot C is 6 feet 4 inches, and the taller Lots W and E allow up to 8 feet 2 inches. For comparison, Mercedes-Benz lists the 2026 Sprinter Passenger Van at roughly 103–106 inches tall for a standard roof, and 113–118 inches for a high roof. Even the standard-roof model exceeds the tallest listed garage clearance.

Lots 4 and 12 do not publish enough information to confirm Sprinter eligibility, so call Parking Services at (213) 765-6815 before making plans. For standard vehicles, the October 21 parking listings showed Lot 4 at $35 and Lot W at $45, with digital passes required. If your group is arriving by Sprinter van, a more practical arrangement may be a coordinated drop-off and pickup. Crypto.com Arena identifies rideshare white zones on eastbound Chick Hearn Court between L.A. Live Way and Georgia Street, and southbound Figueroa Street between 12th Street and Pico Boulevard. Confirm whether your transportation provider can use these areas and arrange legal parking elsewhere. The last thing anyone wants after a close fourth quarter is a group of eight people searching downtown for a van that can't enter the parking garage.

Have the Clippers Ever Beaten the Lakers?

Absolutely. The Clippers aren't just the other Los Angeles basketball team; they've given the Lakers plenty of trouble over the years. The 2025–26 Lakers–Clippers regular-season series finished tied 2–2, with both teams earning two wins. Their most recent completed meeting came on February 20, 2026, at Crypto.com Arena. The Lakers edged out the Clippers 125–122, led by Luka Dončić's 38 points and 11 assists. Austin Reaves added 29 points, while Kawhi Leonard scored 31 for the Clippers before leaving late with an ankle issue. The teams did not face each other during the 2026 playoffs. Now the rivalry returns on Friday, October 23, 2026, at Crypto.com Arena. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 PM PT, with doors opening at 5:30 PM. It's the first of four regular-season meetings, and the next matchup is scheduled for October 28 at the Clippers' Intuit Dome. Official arena event page. At the October 12 ticket check, resale seats started around $56.58 in Section 304, while the lowest primary tickets were approximately $108 in Section 311. These prices included fees before taxes. Check Ticketmaster for updated availability.

Official parking prices were $35 for Lot 4 and $45 for Lot W, with the same Sprinter van restrictions described above. If you're meeting friends at the arena, Crypto.com Arena has three public entrances: Kobe Bryant, Star Plaza, and Figueroa. Star Plaza is a useful meeting point for groups, provided everyone agrees on it before arrival. And yes, make sure you know which team's colors you're wearing. This is a Los Angeles rivalry, after all.

How Do You Get to the Lakers vs. Portland Trail Blazers Game?

The Lakers close out this stretch of October home games against the Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday, October 27, at 8:00 PM PT. Doors open at 6:30 PM at Crypto.com Arena, and the game is scheduled for national television coverage on NBC. Official event details. If you're coming from around Los Angeles, there are several ways to reach the arena without driving directly into downtown traffic. By Metro: Take the A or E Line to Pico Station. From there, walk west along Pico Boulevard and north on Figueroa Street toward the arena. Riders on the B or D Lines can transfer at 7th St/Metro Center. Nearby bus connections include Metro routes 28, 30, 81, 460, the J Line, and DASH Route F.

By car: The arena recommends using Waze for current directions. Keep in mind that Chick Hearn Court between L.A. Live Way and Figueroa Street is a no-stopping tow zone. By rideshare or group van: Designated white zones are located on Chick Hearn Court and Figueroa Street. Stopping elsewhere can result in enforcement, so coordinate the pickup location in advance. Tickets were relatively affordable compared with the Warriors opener. As of October 12, resale seats started around $47.97, while standard admission began at $76.10, including fees before taxes. You can check current prices through Ticketmaster.

Parking prices were listed at $35 for Lot 4 and $45 for Lot W. Sprinter vans and other oversized vehicles still require a separate arrangement with Parking Services, ideally at least ten days in advance. The last meeting between the teams took place January 17, 2026, in Portland, where the Trail Blazers beat the Lakers 132–116. Shaedon Sharpe scored 25 points, while Los Angeles played without Luka Dončić and Deandre Ayton. Portland won the 2025–26 season series 2–1. Read the ESPN recap.

Will the Lakers turn things around at home? That's a question for October 27. At least the transportation plan doesn't have to be a mystery. Five major games. Two iconic Los Angeles venues. And a calendar that gives sports fans plenty of excuses to get the whole crew together. From Dodgers postseason baseball on October 14 to the Lakers' matchup with Portland on October 27, there are options for baseball diehards, basketball fans, and anyone who enjoys a good rivalry. Just remember the practical details: tickets are mobile-only, prices change, both venues enforce bag policies, and oversized vehicles require extra planning. At Dodger Stadium, that means arranging the appropriate prepaid parking pass. At Crypto.com Arena, standard garages do not accept Sprinter vans.

If you're traveling with friends, consider a group transportation service to keep everyone together. Coordinate your drop-off, pickup, and meeting point before the game, and check venue rules for your specific vehicle. Because when the final buzzer sounds or the last out is recorded you should be talking about the game, not arguing about where everyone parked. The ticket and parking amounts above come from the October 12 research supplied in your brief, not independently verified live checkout prices. Update them before publication. The Dodgers' October 12 Game 2 result and the Lakers–Warriors October 13 preseason result also need refreshing once final.