ASU announces timeline, details for $100M Desert Financial Arena renovations

Arizona State University announced it will begin its $100 million renovations to Desert Financial Arena next year.

The multiyear, multiphase renovations of the arena, which houses the Sun Devils’ men’s and women’s basketball, volleyball, gymnastics and wrestling teams, will see Phase 1 begin in May.

The entire project is expected to be completed by December 2029.

The planned renovations include new restrooms and renovation of existing restrooms, new and upgraded concession stand offerings, a new video board, a new court, new loge boxes and upgraded club-level seating and premium floor seats.

Renovations to the locker rooms, air conditioning system and ADA compliance-upgrades, including new elevators and accessible stairs with handrails, are also planned for the 51-year-old building.

The project, which is being funded via system revenue bonds, is still pending approval by the Arizona Board of Regents.

“We’re building a game day experience that matches the passion and pride of our fans while giving our Sun Devil teams a true home court advantage,” Graham Rossini, ASU athletics director, said in a press release. “The renovation of Desert Financial Arena is about more than updating a building — it’s about creating a space that energizes our entire ASU community.”

Planning will begin early next calendar year, but Rossini said the upgrades will take place from April to October, so the athletic programs will not have to relocate to other venues.

The first phase will see the court replaced along with 729 seats in the lower bowl. The new seating will feature padded chairs and cupholders. Two hundred “premium” seats that are wider and have an extra 2 inches of leg room will also be installed, while four “Hollywood” courtside seats will be built between the ASU bench and the scorer’s table.

The restrooms and sound system will be renovated during Phase 2, which is set to begin in summer 2027.

New loge boxes are also planned for Phase 2, which will seat up to 120 people. All in all, the renovations will reduce the capacity of the arena from its current capacity of 14,198. A new capacity has not yet been determined.

Phase 3 is slated for summer 2027, which will feature upgraded concession stands, locker rooms, a new video board and a court-level club for premium ticket holders.

The announced timeline for the renovations comes after ASU said it plans to spend a combined $135 million on renovating Desert Financial Arena and constructing a new football practice facility adjacent to Mountain America Stadium over the next three years.

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