News Summary
Arizona State University has unveiled a $100 million renovation project for the Desert Financial Arena. Set to begin in May, the upgrades will be implemented in three phases, allowing ASU’s athletic teams to continue hosting events. The first phase will modernize the arena’s interior and enhance fan experience, featuring new padded seating, a video board, and improved amenities. Subsequent phases will further upgrade facilities and celebrate the arena’s rich history while reducing seating capacity.
Tempe, Arizona – Arizona State University (ASU) has announced a significant $100 million renovation project for the Desert Financial Arena (DFA), set to begin in May 2026. The extensive upgrades will unfold over several years and will be executed in three distinct phases, ensuring that ASU’s athletic teams can continue to host home games throughout the process.
Renovation Timeline and Phases
The renovation plans start with Phase One, which focuses on modernizing the arena’s interior and enhancing the fan experience. This phase includes the replacement of the indoor court and 729 lower bowl seats with new padded seats featuring cupholders. A total of 200 wider “premium” seats designed to offer extra legroom will also be installed, along with the addition of four “Hollywood” courtside seats and a new video board to enhance the viewing experience.
Phases of Renovation
Most construction work is scheduled to take place between April and October to minimize disruption during the basketball season, allowing both the men’s and women’s basketball, volleyball, gymnastics, and wrestling teams to continue their activities without relocation during upgrades. Following Phase One, Phase Two will focus on further improvements, including:
- Renovating existing restrooms and building two new bathrooms.
- Installing a state-of-the-art sound system.
- Constructing loge boxes for 120 guests, equipped with amenities like TV screens and tables for food and drinks.
- Implementing “theater boxes” in the upper bowl, which will feature wider seating.
While these enhancements will improve amenities and comfort, they will also result in a decrease in seating capacity, although the exact number has yet to be determined.
Final Phase and Historical Celebrations
The final phase, anticipated to commence in summer 2027, will introduce additional features such as a court-level club exclusively for premium ticket holders and upgrades to concession stands and locker rooms. Furthermore, the final design will celebrate the arena’s rich history, including notable performances and tournaments that have taken place since its inception.
Historical Context
Desert Financial Arena, originally opened as the ASU Activity Center in 1974, has a seating capacity of approximately 14,000 and has served as the home venue for various ASU sports teams. With the recent approval of the renovation plans during an Arizona Board of Regents meeting, ASU is committed to improving not just the arena, but multiple facilities across the university, aiming to enhance the overall experience for students and fans alike.
ASU athletics director Graham Rossini emphasized that the renovations aim to create an energized game day experience that reflects the passion and pride of fans. The upcoming upgrades promise to modernize the arena while providing a more comfortable and engaging environment for all attendees and participants.
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Additional Resources
- AZFamily: $100M Renovations Planned for Desert Financial Arena
- Wikipedia: Arizona State University
- State Press: Breaking: Desert Financial Arena Renovation
- Google Search: Desert Financial Arena renovations
- Sports Illustrated: Desert Financial Arena Renovations
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Arena
- Arizona Sports: DFA Renovation Overview
- Google News: Arizona State basketball renovation
Author: STAFF HERE PHOENIX WRITER
The PHOENIX STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREPhoenix.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Phoenix, Maricopa County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Waste Management Phoenix Open, Cactus League Spring Training, and Arizona State Fair. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce and Visit Phoenix, plus leading businesses in technology and healthcare that power the local economy such as Intel and Banner Health. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERETucson.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Arizona's dynamic landscape.
