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!
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.