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The crowd at Desert Financial Arena

Desert Financial Arena

About Desert Financial Arena

Welcome to Desert Financial Arena, the proud home of Sun Devil Men’s and Women’s Basketball, Wrestling, Volleyball, and Gymnastics teams.

Originally opened in 1974 as ASU Activity Center and located in the heart of Tempe, this six-story, 14,000-seat indoor arena has witnessed historic victories, record-breaking performances, and unforgettable moments, as well as been home to legendary basketball players like James Harden and Briann January, wrestler Anthony Robles, gymnast Pam Godward, and, most recently, the back-to-back Big 12 Champion Volleyball team

Sun Devil fans can expect modern seating, great sightlines and an electric Game Day experience complete with:

  • Concessions offering a variety of food and beverage options
  • Merch booths to gear up with official ASU Sun Devil apparel
  • VIP seating and premium experiences 
  • A multimillion-dollar video scoreboard
  • Solar panels to help the University’s “Zero Waste” and sustainability goals, producing an estimated 775,740 kWh per year

For student-athletes and staff, the facility offers

  • Offices and locker rooms for ASU basketball
  • Weight training facilities, a dedicated training room and an equipment room to support Sun Devil Athletics

Come be part of the action at Desert Financial Arena!

Address

600 E Veterans Way
Tempe, AZ 85281
Get directions

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Related information

Game Day Guide
Clear Bag Policy
Public transportation

Driving directions

Planning to attend an ASU game? Desert Financial Arena is located on the Arizona State University campus at 600 E Veterans Way

  1. Take Exit 7 for Scottsdale Road/Rural Road
  2. Head south on Rural Road toward ASU
  3. Turn right on E. 6th Street for parking access
  1. Take Exit 173 for Rural Road
  2. Head north on Rural Road toward ASU
  3. Turn left onto 6th Street for parking access
  1. Merge onto US-60 East toward Mesa
  2. Take Exit 173 for Rural Road and turn north
  3. Continue to 6th Street for parking access
  1. Merge onto Loop 202 East (Red Mountain Freeway)
  2. Take Exit 7 for Scottsdale Road/Rural Road and head south
  3. Turn right on E. 6th Street for parking access

Game Day parking

With ParkMobile at ASU, Sun Devil fans can pay for parking from the convenience of their smartphone or tablet when they arrive on campus.

By opting for the following green alternatives, Sun Devil fans can support ASU’s sustainability mission while enjoying Game Day responsibly.

Valley Metro Rail

  • The nearest Valley Metro Light Rail station to the facility is the Veterans Way/College Avenue Station, which is about a 6-minute walk away.

Rideshare services

When scheduling your ride to Sun Devil Soccer and Lacrosse Stadium, you can put in the following address: 

Upon arrival, your driver can drop you off near the main entrance or a nearby accessible area, adhering to any posted traffic signs or instructions from event staff.

Stadium policies

All your burning questions to prepare for Sun Devil Game Day on policies, bags, prohibited items and more, answered!

Accessible seating is available throughout Desert Financial Arena for guests with specific accessibility needs for volleyball, women’s basketball, gymnastics, and wrestling games.

Fans should purchase a general admission ticket and contact the Sun Devil Ticket Office for information on ADA seating locations, or reference the seating information below for designated accessible seating areas.

Accessible seating is available for individuals with specific accessibility needs, with up to three (3) companion seats permitted per guest.

Accessible seating sections
Accessible seating locations are available in the following sections:

B, C, D, H, J, K, Q, S, U and W

Additional assistance
For more information regarding accommodations at Desert Financial Arena, please contact:

  • Office of Athletic Operations and Facilities: 480-965-3933

ASU Parking and Transit Services (Disabled Parking Questions): 480-965-6209

Accessible parking is available at Desert Financial Arena in Lot 58/ADA Blue Lot, located east of the arena.

To access the reserved accessible parking area, guests must present:

  • A valid state-issued disabled parking placard or license plate
  • The appropriate ASU parking pass

Any accessible spaces not reserved by season parking pass holders will be available on a first-come, first-served paid basis for guests displaying a valid disabled placard or plate.

Once Lot 58 reaches capacity, guests will be directed to the nearest available pay parking lot.

Sun Devil Athletics has a Clear Bag Policy at Desert Financial Arena. Medical bags are permitted and subject to a thorough inspection.

Please note there is no check-in location for prohibited bags or items. This proactive measure will enhance safety inside and outside of the athletic venues and speed the security screening process for all fans.

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The following bags are NOT allowed inside:

  • No backpacks, large purses, oversized tote bags, colored plastic bags, solid drawstring bags, camera bags, binocular cases, mesh bags or reusable grocery bags are allowed.

    The following bags are allowed inside:

    • Bags and backpacks that are clear plastic, vinyl or PVC and do not exceed 12” x 6” x 12"
    • One-gallon clear plastic freezer bags (Ziploc bag or similar)
    • Small clutch bags (no larger than 4.5” x 6.5”) with or without a handle or straps
    • Seat cushion and seat cushion with back (no pockets, compartments, or covers,18” or less in width)

 

Fans are welcome to bring personal cameras with lenses less than 6” and do not have a detachable lens into Desert Financial Arena.

Flash photography, monopods, tripods and selfie-sticks are not permitted in the arena.

Professional photography/cameras are not allowed in the arena without a media credential.

Children aged 2 and under will be admitted free to the game with a paid adult ticket. 

Please note that free admittance is only valid for a seat in an adult’s lap. No pass or ticket is required for this admittance.

Multiple concession stands are located around the main concourse offering a variety of food, beverage and alcohol items.

Doors open 60 minutes prior to game time. 

There is no reentry once your ticket is scanned. You may enter through the entrances below for each sport.

  • Volleyball: West and East Entrances
  • Men’s Basketball: North, South East, and West Entrances

The south entrance is for students only.

  • Women’s Basketball: West and East Entrances
  • Gymnastics: West and East Entrances
  • Wrestling: West and East Entrances

If you have any questions about what is and is not allowed into the arena, please visit the Stadium Policies webpage for Desert Financial Arena.

All Desert Financial Arena guests are expected to maintain reasonable and appropriate behavior at all times.

Any behavior defying the code of conduct as determined by facility management can result in ejection and possible arrest. 

Ejected guests will not receive a refund for their tickets or be compensated in any way.

See the full Fan Code of Conduct.

The first aid station is located on the east side of Desert Financial Arena, behind Section Q on the main concourse.

If you left something behind at Desert Financial Arena, please call 480-965-3933.

The West Surface Lot is the most convenient parking location for events at Desert Financial Arena, with complimentary parking available for all guests for Volleyball, Women’s Basketball, Wrestling, and Gymnastics.

Please refer to the official parking maps for additional lot locations and event parking information.

Only the following items will be permitted upon entrance:

  • Bags that are clear plastic, vinyl or PVC and do not exceed 12” X 6” X 12”
  • One-gallon clear plastic freezer bag (Ziploc bag or similar)
  • Small clutch bags (no larger than 4.5” X 6.5”) with or without a handle or strap
  • Medically necessary items after proper inspection
  • Factory-sealed water bottles 51 oz./1.5 liters or smaller
  • Hand sanitizer 3 oz or less
  • Empty, non-disposable plastic water bottles
  • Small retractable umbrellas
  • Umbrella strollers
  • Service animals
  • Seat cushions or chair backs must be 18” or less in width (no pockets, compartments or covers)
  • Signs smaller than 3’ X 2’

To help ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all guests, please review the Stadium Policies page before attending your event at Desert Financial Arena. The guide includes important venue policies and information regarding permitted and prohibited items prior to entry.

No provisions will be made regarding prohibited items. Guests will be asked to return said items to their vehicle, or if not possible, the item will need to be discarded before admission into the arena is granted.

Sun Devil Athletic events have a clear bag policy. Only clear bags no larger than 12″x6″x12″ are allowed

Prohibited items list

  • Animals except service animals
  • Balloons
  • Banners/signs/flags are limited to no larger than 2’x3′
  • Beachballs/balls of any kind
  • Bikes, skateboards, scooters or hoverboards
  • Boxed or sealed packages of any kind
  • Drugs or illegal substances
  • Electrical wiring
  • Explosives
  • Frisbees
  • Laser pointers
  • Noise makers (cowbells, airhorns, etc.) 
  • Obscene or offensive attire
  • Outside food and beverages
  • Pitchforks (of any material other than foam or paper)
  • Professional cameras with detachable lenses
  • Professional video recording devices
  • Refillable water bottles (Hydroflask, Stanley, Owalla, etc.)
  • Strollers
  • Tripods, monopods or selfie sticks
  • Umbrellas (large non-retractable)
  • Use of tobacco, vape pens or e-cigarettes or any smoking in and around the arena is strictly prohibited
  • Weapons (guns, knives, including pocket knives, pepper spray, ammunition, brass knuckles, etc.)

Men’s restrooms are located on the inner concourse near Sections E and S. 

Women’s restrooms are located on the inner concourse near Sections G and U.

The ADA restrooms are located on the inner concourse near Section V. Baby changing tables are available in men’s and women’s restrooms throughout the arena.

Desert Financial Arena welcomes service animals utilized by guests with disabilities. Service animals trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability may enter the stadium with that individual. Please see ASU’s service animals policy for more information.

The use of tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, vaping devices and smokeless cigarettes or tobacco, is prohibited on university property, facilities, grounds, parking structures, university-owned vehicles and structures owned or leased by the university. Also see Tobacco Free

ASU merchandise can be purchased at the Sparky Stadium Shop at the following locations:

  • Volleyball: Inner Concourse at Section J
  • Men’s and Women’s Basketball: East Entrance
  • Gymnastics: Inner Concourse at Section J
  • Wrestling: Inner Concourse at Section J

On Game Day, the ticket office is located on the west side of Desert Financial Arena and opens one hour prior to game time. The ticket office will remain open until:

  • Volleyball: End of the second set
  • Men’s and Women’s Basketball: End of halftime
  • Gymnastics: End of the third rotation
  • Wrestling: End of the event’s intermission/mission*

Online
Tickets can be purchased online through Sun Devil Tickets. For assistance, contact the Sun Devil Ticket Sales team.
Call or Text: (480) 727-0000
Email: sundeviltickets@asu.edu 

Phone sales
Tickets may also be purchased by phone by calling: (480) 727-0000 or 1-888-SUNDVLS.

Phone sales are available Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., excluding holidays. 

Valley Metro Light Rail: The nearest Valley Metro Light Rail station to the facility is the Veterans Way/College Avenue Station, which is approximately a 6-minute walk away.

Rideshare: When scheduling your ride to Desert Financial Arena, you can put in the following address:

Upon arrival, your driver can drop you off near the main entrance or a nearby accessible area, adhering to any posted traffic signs or instructions from event staff.

Factory-sealed water bottles and empty plastic water bottles are allowed into Desert Financial Arena as long as they are 51 oz. (1.5 liters) or smaller. Metal, glass, and ceramic bottles are not permitted. There are water fountains and bottle refill stations located on the concourse throughout the arena.

Arizona State University has a commitment to divert 90% of material away from the landfill. Please assist us by using the blue recycle bins as well as the green compost bins throughout the arena. You can also participate by purchasing a reusable souvenir cup at the beginning of the season to bring back to every game and receive a discount on refills, and reduce your overall waste. For more information on zero waste, visit zerowaste.asu.edu.

 

Stadium highlights and history

Desert Financial Arena has been a central hub for Arizona State University's athletic and community events since its opening in 1974. Originally known as the University Activity Center, the arena was renamed Wells Fargo Arena in 1997 and later became Desert Financial Arena in 2019 following a naming rights agreement with Desert Financial Credit Union.

Over the years, the arena has seen several upgrades, including the installation of a multimillion-dollar center-court video scoreboard featuring four 8-by-12-foot display screens, enhancing the experience for attendees. 

Throughout its history, Desert Financial Arena has been more than just a sports venue; it has been a gathering place for the ASU community and the broader Tempe area, reflecting the university's growth and commitment to providing quality facilities for its students and the public. The building has also hosted several famous games and events in its history, including:

Notable NCAA basketball games

  • Arizona State vs No. 1 Arizona (2014): ASU upset top-ranked Arizona 69-66 in double overtime, a thrilling victory that energized Sun Devils fans.
  • ASU vs UCLA (1980s and  1990s rivalry games): The arena has seen numerous legendary matchups against UCLA, one of the Pac-12’s most dominant teams historically.
  • ASU vs Oregon (2018): The Sun Devils, led by head coach Bobby Hurley, defeated Oregon in a packed arena, contributing to ASU’s rise in national rankings.

Wrestling and gymnastics

  • NCAA Wrestling Championships (1974 and 1978): The arena hosted the prestigious NCAA Division I wrestling championships twice.
  • Pac-12 Gymnastics Championships: The arena has been home to numerous conference championship events, showcasing elite collegiate gymnasts.