Game Day and Beyond

NBA team guides

Phoenix Suns

Venue and travel guide

Venue and location

Address

201 E. Jefferson Street (SE corner of 1st St & Jefferson

Source statement; not independently verified.

City

Phoenix

Source statement; not independently verified.

Notes

Multi-purpose downtown arena in the Legends Entertainment District, one block from Chase Field. Owned by the City of Phoenix; operated by Phoenix Arena Development, L.P. (Player 15 Group)

Source statement; not independently verified.

Phone

602-379-2000 (main); 602-379-7800 (guest services/general inquiries)

Source statement; not independently verified.

State

AZ

Source statement; not independently verified.

Venue name

Mortgage Matchup Center

Source statement; not independently verified.

Zip code

85004

Source statement; not independently verified.

Parking

Cheapest

Lower-priced private lots (~$8) a few blocks out, or free Valley Metro light rail (RailRide) park-and-ride with same-day event ticket

Source statement; not independently verified.

Guide url

mortgagematchupcenter.com/plan-your-visit/transportation-parking/ (prepaid via ParkWhiz)

Source statement; not independently verified.

Accessible parking

Accessible spaces on all floors of the Mortgage Matchup Center Garage and floors 1–5 of the Jefferson Garage near elevators; first-come, first-served (passes sold as general parking, not reserved)

Source statement; not independently verified.

Hours

Public garages typically open throughout the day; event parking generally available beginning ~30 minutes before doors open (varies by event)

Source statement; not independently verified.

Overnight

Not offered for events; parking does not include in-and-out privileges

Source statement; not independently verified.

Premium

Attached garage reserves space for suite holders and premium-seat/membership guests; limited general public availability

Source statement; not independently verified.

Prepaid

Yes — purchase prepaid passes in advance through ParkWhiz

Source statement; not independently verified.

Public transport

Valley Metro Light Rail runs past the arena (3rd St/Jefferson eastbound; 3rd St/Washington westbound)

Source statement; not independently verified.

Tailgating

N/A — indoor downtown arena, no tailgating

Source statement; not independently verified.

Traffic

I-10 and I-17 interchange around downtown; Washington/Jefferson and 7th St/7th Ave exits congest pre-game, especially when overlapping with Diamondbacks games at adjacent Chase Field

Source statement; not independently verified.

Types

Attached Mortgage Matchup Center Garage (west side, entrance at 1st St & Madison), Jefferson Street Garage (entrance from Jackson St), plus numerous private lots/garages within walking distance

Source statement; not independently verified.

Rideshare

Accessibility

Accessible drop-off on 3rd St just south of Jefferson at the green curb (vehicles may not be left unattended)

Source statement; not independently verified.

Distance

Roughly 1–3 blocks depending on zone; Plaza drop-off (1st/Jefferson) is adjacent to the main entrance

Source statement; not independently verified.

Lyft dropoff

1st St/Jefferson (Mortgage Matchup Center Plaza); also S 2nd St (The Ryan), S 3rd St (Convention Center), E Jefferson St (Hotel Palomar/Arrogant Butcher)

Source statement; not independently verified.

Lyft pickup

S 3rd Street & E Jefferson Street (Phoenix Convention Center)

Source statement; not independently verified.

Peak notes

Heavy demand immediately post-event; surge pricing and congestion common, worse when concurrent with Chase Field events

Source statement; not independently verified.

Post game tips

Walk a block or two away from the arena before requesting a ride to avoid congestion; use the Convention Center pickup zone

Source statement; not independently verified.

Wait area

Phoenix Convention Center area at 3rd St & Jefferson serves as the main rideshare staging point

Source statement; not independently verified.

Public transportation

Airport connection

From Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, take the PHX Sky Train to the 44th St/Washington Valley Metro Rail station, then ride westbound to 3rd St/Washington

Source statement; not independently verified.

App

Valley Metro app and valleymetro.org for schedules and real-time info

Source statement; not independently verified.

Best option

Valley Metro Light Rail (RailRide) from East Valley (Tempe/Mesa) or west Phoenix — free with event ticket and avoids parking

Source statement; not independently verified.

Fare

Standard Valley Metro fares; FREE RailRide for anyone holding a same-day Mortgage Matchup Center event ticket, beginning 6 hours before event start. Pay via Valley Metro app/ticket vending

Source statement; not independently verified.

Ferry

N/A — landlocked desert city

Source statement; not independently verified.

Nearest station

3rd St/Jefferson (eastbound) and 3rd St/Washington (westbound) Valley Metro stations, both about one block away

Source statement; not independently verified.

Rail lines

Valley Metro Rail (Valley Metro light-rail line through downtown Phoenix)

Source statement; not independently verified.

Tips

Board light rail with your event ticket for the free RailRide; exit at 3rd St/Jefferson or 3rd St/Washington depending on travel direction

Source statement; not independently verified.

Walking distance

About one block (no more than ~0.3 mile from downtown hub platforms)

Source statement; not independently verified.

Shuttles

Accessibility

N/A — no official arena shuttle; Valley Metro rail/bus stops are on accessible routes

Source statement; not independently verified.

Cost

N/A — no official arena shuttle

Source statement; not independently verified.

Dropoff

N/A — no official arena shuttle

Source statement; not independently verified.

Frequency

N/A — no dedicated shuttle; refer to Valley Metro light-rail frequency

Source statement; not independently verified.

Notes

Fans are directed to Valley Metro RailRide rather than a venue shuttle; with a same-day event ticket, light rail is free starting 6 hours before the event

Source statement; not independently verified.

Operator

N/A — no official arena shuttle

Source statement; not independently verified.

Park ride

Valley Metro park-and-ride lots along the light-rail line (e.g., Metro Parkway, Tempe/Mesa stations) feed downtown

Source statement; not independently verified.

Pickup

N/A — no official arena shuttle

Source statement; not independently verified.

Routes

None operated by the arena; Valley Metro light rail/bus serves as the primary transit option

Source statement; not independently verified.

Schedule

N/A — no official arena shuttle

Source statement; not independently verified.

Bicycles

Share station

Yes — bike-share docks operate in downtown Phoenix near the arena

Source statement; not independently verified.

Tips

Downtown Phoenix's flat rectangular street grid makes cycling straightforward; ride to a nearby bike-share dock or public rack and walk the final block

Source statement; not independently verified.

Accessibility

Accessible parking

Accessible spaces on all floors of the Mortgage Matchup Center Garage (entrance 1st St & Madison) and floors 1–5 of the Jefferson Garage near elevators; first-come, first-served

Source statement; not independently verified.

Assistive listening

ALDs available for checkout from the Guest Services Office (transmit Suns/Mercury radio broadcast or event sound); plus OneCourt haptic devices for blind/low-vision guests, ASL interpreting (2-week notice), captioning, and audio description

Source statement; not independently verified.

Contact

accessibility@suns.com or 602-379-7800

Source statement; not independently verified.

Dropoff

3rd St just south of Jefferson at the green curb (event drop-off); will-call/ticket-office drop-off on 1st St just north of Madison. Vehicles cannot be left unattended

Source statement; not independently verified.

Elevators

Elevators/escalators connect all levels; accessible parking spaces in garages are located near elevators

Source statement; not independently verified.

Fun fact

The Suns partner with Ticketmaster to offer OneCourt haptic-feedback devices that let blind/low-vision fans feel live game action through fingertip vibrations

Source statement; not independently verified.

Restrooms

All restrooms on all levels are accessible; gender-neutral/family restrooms on every level (Main Concourse 105/111/117, Upper Concourse 210/211/222; pavilion family restroom has an adult-sized changing station)

Source statement; not independently verified.

Sensory

Certified sensory-inclusive venue (KultureCity partner) with a sensory room in the Guest Services Office (main north Pavilion) and checkout sensory bags (ear protection, fidget toys, cue cards, weighted lap pads)

Source statement; not independently verified.

Service animals

Service animals (trained dogs, sometimes miniature horses) welcome at all events; emotional support/therapy/comfort animals are not permitted

Source statement; not independently verified.

Wheelchair seating

Wheelchair-accessible seating offered at all price points, first-come, first-served (call 602-379-7800). Step-free options: row 20 in the 100 level and row 2 in the 200 level

Source statement; not independently verified.

Food and vendors

Craft beer

Locally based Four Peaks Brewing Company, headlined by the popular Kilt Lifter ale

Source statement; not independently verified.

Fun fact

The renovated main concourse added a court-overlooking bar and a FanDuel Sportsbook, plus screens displaying flames/orange hues to match the Suns theme

Source statement; not independently verified.

Local

Benihana, plus Phoenix-area concepts; surrounding district has Majerle's Sports Grill (owned by ex-Sun Dan Majerle), The Arrogant Butcher, Willie's Taco Joint

Source statement; not independently verified.

Notable stands

Large bar overlooking the court, FanDuel Sportsbook on the Jefferson Street side, Jim Beam Barrel Bar, Hideaway Bar; brand names include Carl's Jr., Wetzel's Pretzels, Benihana

Source statement; not independently verified.

Parking Apps Accepted

ParkWhiz (official prepaid parking partner)

Source statement; not independently verified.

Signature food

Local brand concessions including Benihana teriyaki bowls/sushi; classic Suns-game fare with Four Peaks beer

Source statement; not independently verified.

Venue history

Architect

Ellerbe Becket (structural: Horst Berger/Severud; general contractor: Perini Building Company; project manager: Huber, Hunt & Nichols)

Source statement; not independently verified.

Construction cost

~$89 million (original); later renovations ~$67 million (2003) and a ~$230M renovation deal approved 2019 (Suns contributing up to $80M)

Source statement; not independently verified.

Famous moments

Hosted 1993 NBA Finals (Suns vs. Bulls) and 2021 NBA Finals (Suns vs. Bucks); 1995 and 2009 NBA All-Star Games; set to host 2026 NCAA Women's Final Four and 2027 NBA All-Star Game

Source statement; not independently verified.

Fun fact

Nicknamed "The Purple Palace" (and "The Snake Pit" during Arizona Rattlers seasons); it was not originally designed for hockey, leaving the Coyotes with notoriously obstructed sightlines in the late 1990s

Source statement; not independently verified.

Opened

1992 (opened June 6, 1992; first Suns regular-season game Nov 7, 1992)

Source statement; not independently verified.

Original capacity

19,023 for basketball at opening (later reduced over time)

Source statement; not independently verified.

Original name

America West Arena (1992–2006)

Source statement; not independently verified.

Renovations

2003 atrium addition; major 2019–2021 renovation (seating bowl, concourses, plazas, new center-hung videoboard, court-overlooking bar, FanDuel Sportsbook)

Source statement; not independently verified.

Venue details

Capacity

17,071 (per arena records; some sources list 18,422). Listed Suns basketball capacity: ~17,071–18,422

Source statement; not independently verified.

Climate

Fully enclosed, climate-controlled indoor arena (a 2003 glass-enclosed air-conditioned atrium was added to keep patrons cool in Phoenix's heat)

Source statement; not independently verified.

Elevation

Phoenix sits at roughly 1,086 ft above sea level

Source statement; not independently verified.

Levels

Two main seating levels (100/Main Concourse and 200/Upper Concourse) plus suite levels (A-Suites, B-Suites, courtside suites)

Source statement; not independently verified.

Premium

Multiple suite tiers (A-Suites, B-Suites, courtside suites), club/membership areas, Jim Beam Barrel Bar, Hideaway Bar, and valet for select premium guests

Source statement; not independently verified.

Scoreboard

Center-hung videoboard (revamped in the latest renovation) plus two large video screens and a four-corner display ribbon for captioning

Source statement; not independently verified.

Shared tenants

Phoenix Mercury (WNBA); also home to the Valley Suns (NBA G League) and historically the Arizona Rattlers (IFL/AFL)

Source statement; not independently verified.

Surface

Hardwood basketball court

Source statement; not independently verified.