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| Sports in Phoenix, Arizona | |
|---|---|
| City | Phoenix, Arizona |
| Teams | Arizona Cardinals, Arizona Diamondbacks, Phoenix Suns, Arizona Coyotes, Phoenix Mercury |
| Stadiums | State Farm Stadium, Chase Field, Footprint Center, Mullett Arena, Phoenix Raceway |
| Notable events | Super Bowl XLIX, College Football Playoff, WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship, Phoenix Open |
| Population | 1,608,139 |
| Timezone | Mountain Standard Time |
Sports in Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix, Arizona is a major sports market anchored by franchises such as the Arizona Cardinals, Arizona Diamondbacks, Phoenix Suns, Arizona Coyotes, and Phoenix Mercury, and it hosts high‑profile events including Super Bowl XLIX, the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship, and the Phoenix Open. The metropolitan area features venues like State Farm Stadium, Chase Field, Footprint Center, Mullett Arena, and Phoenix Raceway, drawing fans from Scottsdale, Arizona, Tempe, Arizona, Mesa, Arizona, and the broader Maricopa County region. Local media such as the Arizona Republic, ESPN Phoenix, KPHO-TV, KTAR-FM, and Bally Sports Arizona provide coverage alongside community organizations like the Valley Youth Football League and Phoenix Suns Charities.
Phoenix hosts major professional franchises in the National Football League, Major League Baseball, National Basketball Association, National Hockey League, and the Women's National Basketball Association. The Arizona Cardinals play at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, while the Arizona Diamondbacks call Chase Field in Downtown Phoenix home; the Phoenix Suns and Phoenix Mercury have historically used Footprint Center in Phoenix, and the Arizona Coyotes have played at Mullett Arena and previously at Gila River Arena in Glendale, Arizona. The region has also been connected to leagues such as Major League Soccer through past efforts like Phoenix Rising FC and to motorsports via Phoenix Raceway hosting NASCAR events and support series like the Camping World Truck Series.
The Phoenix metro is a hub for collegiate athletics with institutions including Arizona State University, University of Phoenix Stadium (stadium association), Grand Canyon University, University of Arizona (Tucson proximity), Northern Arizona University (state system), and Pima Community College fielding teams in the National Collegiate Athletic Association and NCAA Division I play. Programs such as the Arizona State Sun Devils, Grand Canyon Antelopes, and regional junior college teams compete in conferences like the Pac-12 Conference, Western Athletic Conference, and Arizona Community College Athletic Conference. Amateur sports organizations, including the Arizona Amateur Baseball Association, Arizona Soccer Association, Arizona Interscholastic Association, and USA Hockey affiliates, support development pipelines alongside events hosted by the NCAA March Madness selection region and the College Football Playoff rotation.
Iconic venues are concentrated across the Valley: State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona (NFL and college football), Chase Field (MLB), Footprint Center (NBA, WNBA), Mullett Arena (NHL tenancy), and Phoenix Raceway (NASCAR). Additional sites include Talking Stick Resort Arena (former name of Footprint Center), Cactus League spring training facilities in Scottsdale Stadium, Salt River Fields at Talking Stick, Hohokam Stadium, and multiuse complexes like Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum and South Mountain Community College Stadium. Golf venues such as TPC Scottsdale host PGA Tour events like the Phoenix Open, while tennis facilities host stops on tours associated with the Association of Tennis Professionals and the Women's Tennis Association.
Phoenix stages marquee events including Super Bowl XLIX, which spotlighted the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks, the annual PGA Tour Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale, and the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship formerly at The Boulders Resort and Riviera Country Club associations. The region has hosted College Football Playoff semifinal and NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament games, the FIBA Americas Championship qualifiers, international friendlies featuring United States men's national soccer team matches, and motorsport fixtures like the NASCAR Cup Series and IndyCar Series support races. Seasonal events extend to Major League Baseball spring training in the Cactus League, collegiate showcases such as the Barclays Center Classic rotation, and WNBA playoff series led by the Phoenix Mercury.
Grassroots development operates through organizations including the Valley Youth Football League, Arizona Little League, Club West Soccer Club, Arizona Youth Basketball Association, AIA (Arizona Interscholastic Association), and nonprofit partners like Phoenix Suns Charities and Arizona Cardinals Care. Amateur clinics and outreach collaborate with entities such as USA Baseball, US Youth Soccer, USA Volleyball, and USA Hockey to run camps at sites like Scottsdale Sports Complex and Reach 11 Sports Complex. Community initiatives involve partnerships with municipal departments of City of Phoenix recreation centers, neighborhood leagues in Tempe, Arizona and Mesa, Arizona, and education programs at institutions like Arizona State University and Grand Canyon University for coaching certification and athlete development.
Local coverage and fandom are driven by outlets such as the Arizona Republic, Bally Sports Arizona, ESPN Phoenix, KPNX (Channel 12), and radio stations like KTAR-FM and KMVP-FM, while national networks including NBC Sports and FOX Sports televise marquee matchups. Fan organizations such as the Suns Gorilla (mascot tradition), Territorial Cup supporters for Arizona Wildcats rivalry games, the Black Hole (Bay Area, mentioned for culture contrast), and supporter groups aligned with Phoenix Rising FC shape matchday atmosphere. Traditions include tailgating at State Farm Stadium, spring training pilgrimages for the Cactus League, and annual charity games coordinated with franchises and leagues like the NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL, and WNBA.
Major sporting events and franchises contribute to the Maricopa County hospitality sector, attracting visitors to destinations such as Scottsdale, Arizona resorts, Old Town Scottsdale, Camelback Mountain hiking, and downtown Phoenix entertainment districts. Tax revenue and employment interlink with entities like the Arizona Sports and Tourism Authority, local convention bureaus, and venue operators at State Farm Stadium and Chase Field, while megaevents such as Super Bowl XLIX and PGA Tour stops boost hotel occupancy and passenger volumes at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. The sports tourism ecosystem intersects with major conventions and entertainment properties including Phoenix Convention Center and the regional arts scene anchored by institutions like the Heard Museum.
Category:Sports in Arizona