History & Guidelines

History

Opened in October of 2006, the Galen Center has served as the home court of the University of Southern California’s basketball and volleyball teams for 8 years. Before the Galen Center, USC basketball had been played at a variety of locations, including the neighboring Shrine Auditorium stage, Pan-Pacific Auditorium in the Fairfax District, and at the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena since 1959.

USC had planned to build an on-campus indoor arena for more than 100 years prior to its construction. The final push to build the new facility began in 2002, when Louis Galen, a successful banker and longtime Trojan fan, and his wife Helene donated $10 million to the new center. The Galens donated an additional $25 million to the project to have the building named after them and later upped their donation an additional $15 million to make sure that a connected practice facility would also bear their name, bringing the total donation to $50 million. Previous to this generous donation which made this practice pavilion a reality, the USC men’s and women’s basketball teams practiced at the smaller, on-campus North Gym.

Construction officially began on October 31, 2004, with a groundbreaking ceremony including Los Angeles City Council members Bernard Parks and Jan Perry along with Helene and Louis Galen. Galen Center construction cost an estimated $147 million, which includes the arena, team offices, and a state-of-the-art practice facility. The largest tax revenue would be generated by the city of Los Angeles’ 10 percent parking tax, as well as sales tax, utility users tax, business license tax, and income from advertising. In addition, two new parking structures were built: a 1,200-space structure located between the Radisson Hotel and the arena, and a second structure at the southeast corner of Figueroa Street and Exposition Boulevard. The additional parking structures also increased the available parking for both the USC campus and the nearby Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

The first event, a women’s volleyball game between USC and Stanford University, took place on October 12, 2006. The first concert at the center was October 21, 2006 and featured Al Green. The first sellout crowd was the men’s basketball game against the UCLA Bruins on January 12, 2007 with an attendance of 9,682. On January 31, 2008 the USC men’s basketball game against the Arizona Wildcats set the arena’s attendance record with crowd of 10,258 in attendance.

Guidelines

To provide a safer environment for the public and significantly expedite guest entry into the venue, the Galen Center will be implementing a “clear bag policy” that limits the size and type of bags that may be brought into the arena for all events (one clear bag no larger than 12” x 6” x 12” per person) starting January 1st, 2018. The policy does not affect other items that fans normally bring to a game, which still can be carried in their pockets or openly in their arms. Also, for increased security, all guests entering the Galen Center walk through metal detector screening with arms raised (guests should remove metal items from pockets).

Prohibited Items

  • All non-clear bags (see Clear Bag Policy for permitted bags), Backpacks, Hard or Soft Coolers or Baskets and Bottles or Cans
  • Alcoholic Beverages and Illegal Drugs
  • Outside Food and Drink
  • Weapons including Firearms, Knives, Explosives, Fireworks and Laser Pointers
  • Professional cameras, (lenses longer than 3”) or Video and/or Audio Recording Equipment
  • Banners, Sticks and Poles, Inflatables, Umbrellas, Balloons, Strollers and Folding or Beach Chairs
  • Horns or other Noisemakers, Musical Instruments or Large Music Players (Boom Boxes)
  • Frisbees, Balls, Skateboards or Hard Fruit
  • Pets (Service Animals OK)

Fan Code of Conduct

In order to ensure a safe and celebratory environment, we ask that fans refrain from the following behavior at all events.

  • Profanity or other offensive language, whether spoken or appearing on apparel
  • Smoking, other than in designated areas
  • Intoxication or excessive alcohol consumption
  • Bringing prohibited items into the venue
  • Throwing of items or liquids
  • Entering the playing field or court at any time
  • Fighting or other threatening behavior
  • Failure to retain ticket and/or present it to event staff if requested to do so
  • Resale of tickets at the venue
  • Violation of state or local laws

FAILURE TO COMPLY MAY SUBJECT YOU TO EJECTION OR ARREST
Fans are encouraged to report inappropriate behavior to management personnel. We welcome your help in our efforts to provide an enjoyable experience for all guests.