LOS ANGELES -- Crypto.com Arena turned into a playground of noise and excitement on July 10 for the Los Angeles Sparks’ annual Kids Day game, welcoming thousands of children from local summer camps and daycares.
The special daytime matchup against the Minnesota Lynx wasn't just about basketball. It was designed to make the WNBA experience accessible and memorable for young fans, many attending their first game ever. Discounted tickets, kid-friendly entertainment, and the celebratory atmosphere made sure no one forgot it was also Sparky the Dog’s birthday.
The crowd delivered exactly what the Sparks hoped for: high-pitched, relentless cheering that set the tone right from tipoff. The Sparks came out hot in the first quarter, feeding off the energy from the stands.
“They literally will chant over anything,” laughed Sparks guard Rae Burrell before the game. “They play the songs and you just hear them singing. It's amazing, though. It's so cute. The kids always bring such great energy. I think it's going to give us really good energy on the court.”
That youthful vibe wasn’t lost on anyone on the floor. The noise was constant, playful, and at times ear-splitting. Sparks Coach Lynne Roberts appreciated the joyful chaos.
“It’s fun, it’s a fun environment,” Roberts said. “I love seeing all the joy and excitement from kids..it’s really cool to get thousands of kids in to watch women play basketball...The pitch is higher with the screaming, so you have to prepare for that.”
WNBA players know the impact these games can have on the next generation of fans. A day like this can inspire kids in the crowd to see themselves on the court one day.
Kelsey Plum, after achieving a season-high of 12 assists, spoke about her own memories of games like these.
“My niece is here, she’s four…she’s really into it,” Plum said. “It’s a great environment...I remember coming to these games as a kid and it just made a really big impact on me.”
While the Sparks were hoping to score an upset win over the Lynx to kick off their homestand on a high note, the day itself was already a victory in terms of building community, sparking dreams, and making basketball fun for a new generation of fans.