Intuit Dome

LA Clippers Chairman Steve Ballmer intended to deliver “the ultimate home court” for fans and players alike, a sentiment echoed by Gillian Zucker, LA Clippers President of Business Operations. She said: “Intuit Dome is the ultimate manifestation of Steve’s vision, everything a basketball arena, a concert venue, and a community centre should be.”

To help bring this eagerly anticipated project to fruition, Claire Global Integration (CGI) undertook an extensive scope of work which included the installation of the main JBL Professional bowl sound system, Q-SYS networking systems in the club spaces, practice courts, and locker rooms, integrating NEAT solutions for every conference room, national, and in-house ENG broadcast cable plant and distribution, ENG plant and cabling, CISCO IPTV systems, and AV over IP solutions.

As with all CGI builds, there was a focus on the fan experience and how technology can enhance it. CGI was charged with implementing ADA – American Disabilities Act – panels for sight-impaired fans in the club spaces and suites.

In conjunction with Storm LED panels, CGI created a back-end software that interfaces with Q-SYS. In every suite and club space there is an ADA panel that connects with a Q-SYS touch panel. The ADA panel mimics the touch panel buttons allowing anyone with a sight loss disability to control the sound and TVs for that area.

The visual experience is elevated by CISCO VisionEdge IPTV systems with BrightSign media players for every suite, club, office and broadcast/media space. Control of the displays utilises Q-SYS Control Engines, and locations with touch-integrated displays use Wipro VisionEdge-Go, an adjacent application that leverages VisionEdge.

CHALLENGE: The Intuit Dome’s exceptional new production facilities include a giant ‘halo’ shaped video screen (not under the CGI remit) which hangs centrally above some of the arena’s seating. This potentially large obstruction to great audio coverage required an innovative sound design, and to achieve optimum results, an inner ring of eight clusters was integrated to sufficiently cover the lower bowl, while a significant number of smaller line arrays cover the outer edge of the halo.

Alongside AV Consultant and Technical Designer Greg Swindle of WJHW for overall cluster configuration and precise box angles, it was critical was CGI to ensure no energy got into the back of the LED video screen and causing reflections. Ensuring the technology worked seamlessly from the first time the doors opened.

The JBL speaker solution comprises VTX A12’s in the center and VTX A8’s on the outer delays with PD500 large-format loudspeakers for upper delay fills.

For the Bruno Mars concerts, Clair Global supplied main hangs of K1 and K2, KS28’s as flown subs, K1 and K2 for side hangs, K2 rear hangs, more KS28 cabinets for ground subs, and A10’s and A15’s for front fill reinforcement. This system was powered by 64 x LA12X amplifiers.

RESULT: Matt McQuaid, Bruno Mars Systems Engineer, said he felt comfortable being the first show in the building: “The halo presents a unique challenge for a touring systems engineer; with a standard end-stage position it can be difficult to cover the upper corners of the bowl. Having the opportunity to create a solution using the installed house system to reinforce areas which need extra help, and to make the transition sound natural between the two zones.”

This venue is deserving of a MONDO-DR award because it truly serves the community – the people of LA.

During the build and following the opening night concert where our touring clients Bruno Mars and Lady Gaga performed with world-class sound, it was clear that these intentions would not only be met but exceeded. As a technology partner, providing optimal audience engagement is always our goal.
Yet what we also love about this project is the latter part of Steve’s vision: to build a ‘community centre’.

In January 2025 this was put to the test. As destructive wildfires ravaged multiple communities throughout the Greater Los Angeles area, Ballmer Group Philanthropy founders Steve & Connie Ballmer were some of the first to step in and lend a helping hand.

Within this, Intuit Dome was offered as a concert venue during vital fundraising efforts. The space hosted the FireAid Benefit Concert in partnership with the Azoff Family, Live Nation, and AEG Presents.

The evening of music and solidarity raised over $100 million with funds dedicated to rebuilding communities. Without opening the doors for this cause, the long road to recovery would surely take even longer. This venue has been built by people who care about others.