US Airways Center

US Airways Center is a multi-purpose arena located in Phoenix, Arizona, and is home to the Phoenix Suns of the National Basketball Association and the Phoenix Mercury of the Women's National Basketball Association. The arena has hosted numerous high-profile events, including concerts by Elton John, The Rolling Stones, and Taylor Swift, as well as games featuring the Arizona Rattlers of the Arena Football League and the Phoenix Coyotes of the National Hockey League. The arena has also been the site of various NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship games, including the Final Four in 1995 and 2017, which featured teams such as the UCLA Bruins, Kentucky Wildcats, and North Carolina Tar Heels. The arena's events have been attended by notable figures such as Barack Obama, Joe Biden, and John McCain.

● History

The arena was opened in 1992 and was originally known as America West Arena, named after the America West Airlines company, which was founded by Ed Beauvais and Mike Conway. The arena was built at a cost of US$90 million and was designed by the architectural firm Ellerbe Becket, which also designed other notable venues such as the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota and the Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C.. The arena's construction was overseen by the City of Phoenix and was funded in part by a bond issue approved by Phoenix, Arizona voters in 1989. The arena has hosted a variety of events over the years, including concerts by Paul McCartney, The Who, and Kenny Chesney, as well as games featuring the Los Angeles Lakers, Boston Celtics, and Chicago Bulls. The arena has also been the site of various mixed martial arts events, including UFC 143, which featured fighters such as Nick Diaz and Carlos Condit.

● Location and design

The arena is located in downtown Phoenix, Arizona, near the Phoenix Convention Center and the Heritage Square historic district. The arena's design features a unique retro-futuristic style, with a distinctive copper-colored exterior and a glass-enclosed atrium. The arena's seating capacity is approximately 18,422 for basketball games and 16,210 for hockey games, making it one of the largest arenas in the United States. The arena's design has been influenced by other notable venues, such as the Madison Square Garden in New York City and the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. The arena is also located near several other notable landmarks, including the Arizona State Capitol building, the Heard Museum, and the Desert Botanical Garden.

● Events and tenants

The arena is home to the Phoenix Suns and the Phoenix Mercury, and has also hosted a variety of other events, including concerts, mixed martial arts events, and professional wrestling events. The arena has hosted games featuring teams such as the Los Angeles Clippers, Golden State Warriors, and San Antonio Spurs, as well as concerts by Lady Gaga, Kanye West, and Justin Bieber. The arena has also been the site of various NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship games, including the Final Four in 1995 and 2017, which featured teams such as the UCLA Bruins, Kentucky Wildcats, and North Carolina Tar Heels. The arena's events have been attended by notable figures such as Barack Obama, Joe Biden, and John McCain, as well as other celebrities such as Taylor Swift, Justin Timberlake, and Rihanna.

● Renovations and upgrades

The arena has undergone several renovations and upgrades over the years, including a major renovation in 2003 that added new seating and improved the arena's sound system and video scoreboard. The arena has also undergone several smaller renovations, including the installation of new LED lighting and the improvement of the arena's Wi-Fi network. The arena's renovations have been overseen by the City of Phoenix and have been funded in part by a combination of public and private funds, including a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts. The arena's upgrades have been designed to improve the overall fan experience, with new amenities such as premium seating and concierge service.

● Naming rights

The arena was originally known as America West Arena, but was renamed US Airways Center in 2006 after US Airways acquired America West Airlines. The arena's naming rights are currently held by Chase Bank, which acquired the rights in 2015 and renamed the arena Talking Stick Resort Arena. The arena's naming rights have been held by several other companies over the years, including America West Airlines and US Airways, and have been used to promote various products and services, including air travel and banking services. The arena's naming rights have been overseen by the City of Phoenix and have been subject to various sponsorship agreements and naming rights deals, including a partnership with Talking Stick Resort and a sponsorship agreement with Chase Bank.