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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 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 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 approximately 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!

Fans are welcome to bring personal cameras with lenses less than 6” and without detachable lenses.

Flash photography, monopods, tripods and selfie sticks are prohibited in the stadium, and professional photography and cameras are prohibited without a media credential.

Desert Financial Arena adheres to a clear bag policy:

  • Clear bags no larger than 12″x6″x12″ 
  • Small clutch no larger than 4.5″x6.5″
  • Small clutch/purse no larger than 4”x6″x1.5” per guest.
  • Diaper and medical bags will be permitted and are subject to search.
  • Guests may carry a seat cushion, with or without a back, no larger than 18”x18” with NO pockets or zippers.
  • All bags are subject to search and possible X-Ray scan.
  • 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.
  • NO check-in location for prohibited items.

    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)

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All guests are expected to maintain reasonable and appropriate behavior at all times. Any behavior defying the code of conduct 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. 

Inappropriate behavior includes, but is not limited to:

  • Wearing clothing deemed obscene, indecent and/or offensive
  • Throwing objects of any kind
  • Demonstrating unruly behavior
  • Attempting to enter the field of play
  • Engaging in behavior that endangers the safety of student-athletes, coaches, officials or other guests
  • Removing any property of Alberta B. Farrington Stadium
  • Taunting public safety officials
  • Any threatening, vulgar, abusive, racist, sexist or demeaning remarks or gestures directed toward the coaches, student-athletes, fans, staff and game officials.
    • Threats include statements, actions and behaviors that could reasonably be foreseen as having the purpose of inflicting physical harm, even if the person making the threat doesn’t have the ability to carry it out.

Sun Devil Athletics Event Management reserves the right to deny entry or eject from the facility guests displaying inappropriate behavior, as determined by facility or event management teams.

Students attending Sun Devil athletic events must adhere to the Arizona Board of Regents Code of Conduct. Failure to do so may result in ejection from the premises and disciplinary action through Student Judicial Affairs.

View the ABOR Student Code of Conduct.

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’

No provisions will be made regarding prohibited items, guests will be asked to return said items back 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 has 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 oe 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.)

The use of tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, vapes and smokeless cigarettes/tobacco, is prohibited on university property, facilities, grounds, parking structures, university-owned vehicles and structures owned or leased by the university.

ASU recognizes that tobacco use is a public health hazard and is dedicated to providing a healthy, comfortable, productive living, learning, and working environment. ASU is among over 1,000 colleges and universities that are 100% tobacco-free, and among over 1,500 colleges and 100% smoke-free.

As of Aug. 1, 2013, to protect students, faculty, staff and visitors from the health hazards of secondhand smoke, the use of tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, vaping devices and smokeless cigarettes/tobacco is prohibited on university property, facilities, grounds, parking structures, university-owned vehicles and structures owned or leased by the university. 

Water is available at drinking fountains throughout the stadium. Metal and glass water bottles are not allowed to be brought in, but plastic and other material water bottles are permitted and can be filled at the fountains. 

Arizona State University commits to diverting 90% of material away from the landfill. 

Please assist us by using the blue recycle bins and green compost bins throughout the stadium. You can also participate by purchasing a reusable souvenir cup at the beginning of the season to bring back to every game, receiving a discount on refills, and reducing 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.