Footprint Center

The Footprint Center is not just an arena, but a true epicenter of sports and culture in Phoenix, Arizona, USA. This multi-purpose sports and entertainment complex is one of the largest public buildings in the state and attracts thousands of visitors to a wide variety of events.

Formerly known as the US Airways Center, America West Arena, and Talking Stick Resort Arena, the Footprint Center has a rich history of hosting iconic events. Its versatility allows the venue to be transformed for both intense sporting battles and grand concerts and shows, making it a key entertainment destination in the region.

The arena serves as the home court for several renowned professional teams. It's where the Phoenix Suns of the National Basketball Association (NBA) and the Phoenix Mercury of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) hone their skills. It also hosts home games for the Arizona Rattlers indoor football team from the Arena Football League (AFL). Previously, from 1996 to 2003, the arena's ice also hosted the Phoenix Coyotes of the National Hockey League (NHL), highlighting the versatility of this impressive facility.

To get the most up-to-date contact information for the Footprint Center, such as a phone number or email address, as well as to check the event schedule and ticket purchasing rules, it is recommended to visit the arena's official website. Detailed information can also be requested from tourist information centers in Phoenix.

At the Footprint Center, you have a unique opportunity to dive into the world of major sports. The arena is the home court for the famous basketball teams Phoenix Suns (NBA) and Phoenix Mercury (WNBA), so you can watch exciting games live and cheer for your favorites. Additionally, the arena hosts indoor football games by the Arizona Rattlers, offering spectators another type of dynamic and engaging sporting spectacle.

Beyond sporting events, the Footprint Center offers a rich program of entertainment. Thanks to its versatility and flexible seating configuration, the arena regularly hosts concerts by world stars of various musical genres, colorful circus performances, impressive monster truck shows, and many other events. This means there is almost always something interesting to find, regardless of your preferences, and become part of an unforgettable show.

For maximum visitor comfort, the arena—which can accommodate up to 20,000 spectators—is excellently equipped. You can have a snack or a full meal at the diverse food court or visit a high-end restaurant located right within the complex. This allows you to enjoy the atmosphere of the event without worrying about logistics, fully immersing yourself in the action on the stage or court.

The Footprint Center is conveniently located in the heart of Phoenix, making it easily accessible for visitors from across the city and its surroundings. The arena is situated downtown at 201 E Jefferson St, Phoenix, AZ 85004, USA, in a vibrant area with well-developed infrastructure.

One of the most convenient ways to reach the Footprint Center is by public transport. Phoenix operates the Valley Metro Rail light rail system, and the closest stations to the arena—3rd Street/Jefferson and 3rd Street/Washington—are just a few minutes' walk away. Many city bus routes also serve the arena. It is recommended to check the current schedule and routes on the official Valley Metro website in advance.

If you prefer comfort and speed, you can use taxi services or popular ridesharing apps (such as Uber or Lyft), which are widely available in Phoenix. The trip from downtown areas or nearby hotels will take very little time. For those planning to arrive by personal or rental car, there are several parking garages and lots around the Footprint Center. However, on major event days, spaces may be limited and parking rates may increase, so it's worth arriving early or considering pre-booking a parking spot if available.

The history of the Footprint Center began on August 1, 1990, when its foundation was laid. Construction progressed at an impressive pace, and the arena opened its doors on June 6, 1992, three months ahead of schedule. The first event to mark the opening of this iconic Phoenix landmark was a concert by country music legend George Strait, setting a high bar for future events.

Throughout its history, the arena has changed names several times, reflecting partnership agreements and changes in the corporate world. Originally, from January 1990, it was known as America West Arena, as the naming rights were acquired by America West Airlines. Following the merger with US Airways, the complex was renamed US Airways Center in January 2006. The next name change occurred on December 2, 2014, when the rights were sold to Talking Stick Resort, and the arena became known as Talking Stick Resort Arena before receiving its current name—Footprint Center.

The arena's sports history is also full of highlight moments. The Phoenix Suns played their first basketball game here on November 7, 1992, defeating the Los Angeles Clippers 111-105. The Phoenix Coyotes hockey team also made their debut on this ice on October 10, 1996, beating the San Jose Sharks 4-1. The arena served as the Coyotes' home until December 15, 2003, when they played their final game against the Minnesota Wild (losing 2-5) before moving to a new venue in Glendale.

The time required to visit the Footprint Center depends directly on the event you plan to see. If your goal is to attend a game by teams like the Phoenix Suns (NBA), Phoenix Mercury (WNBA), or Arizona Rattlers (AFL), or a concert by a popular artist, you should budget about 3-4 hours. This time includes not only the performance or game itself, which usually lasts about 2-3 hours, but also time for security checks at the entrance, finding your seats, and potential exit queues.

If you want to do more than just watch the event—such as exploring the arena, visiting team merchandise stores, or grabbing a bite at one of the complex's many cafes or restaurants before the start or during intermission—your total visit time could be 4-5 hours or even more, especially for sold-out events. Some major arenas offer organized tours of their facilities and backstage on non-game/concert days; such tours usually take 1-2 hours. We recommend checking the official Footprint Center website or Phoenix information services to see if such options are available and what their schedule is if you're interested in that format.

The Footprint Center in Phoenix operates according to the schedule of its events, such as sports games, concerts, and shows. The arena does not have standard daily operating hours for general public visits like a museum or park. Door opening times are usually announced 1-2 hours before the start of a specific event. To find out the exact start time of the event you're interested in and when admission begins, it is highly recommended to check the official Footprint Center website or the organizer's event page.

Since the Footprint Center is a popular venue for major events, it is recommended to purchase tickets for games, concerts, and shows in advance, especially for famous artists or important matches. This can be done online through the arena's official website or authorized ticket vendors. The arena hosts events year-round, but the specific schedule depends on sports league seasons and artists' tour schedules. For the most up-to-date information on box office hours (if they are open for general sales and not just on event days) and the event schedule, please refer to the official Footprint Center sources.

Visiting the Footprint Center will undoubtedly be a highlight of your trip to Phoenix. However, to make your experience even more complete and diverse, we recommend taking some time to explore the surroundings of this famous arena. Phoenix is a city with a rich cultural life and many interesting places located in the immediate vicinity of the center.

A stroll through the nearby blocks will allow you to discover other facets of this sunny city, from historic buildings to modern entertainment venues and cozy parks. It's a great opportunity to combine attending a sporting or cultural event at the Footprint Center with exploring other attractions in Phoenix. Here are some of them located nearby: