Arizona Rattlers to play at Gila River Arena in 2020
Jul 30, 2019, 8:21 AM | Updated: 8:21 am
General view outside of Gila River Arena before the NHL game between the Arizona Coyotes and the Anaheim Ducks on November 25, 2015 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
With their lifelong home, Talking Stick Resort Arena, undergoing an estimated $235 million renovation for what could be the next two years, the Arizona Rattlers were in need of a new “Snake Pit.”
The search ended Monday as the Rattlers and Gila River Arena signed a lease to make the Glendale venue Arizona’s home field in 2020 with an option for 2021.
“We are very excited to have the opportunity to host this incredible team next season and very much value the Rattlers partnership,” said Dale Adams, general manager of Gila River Arena, in a press release. “We look forward to continuing to grow the brands of both the Rattlers and the Indoor Football League here in Glendale.”
The Rattlers have played downtown since both the team and the venue were founded in 1992. Scheduling conflicts moved both of Arizona’s 2019 postseason games to Glendale, including the United Bowl, which drew over 15,000 fans.
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“We will miss the friendly confines of Talking Stick Resort Arena but are excited about the new opportunities Gila River Arena brings,” Rattlers majority owner Ron Shurts said in the same release. “The support and environment during the playoffs were amazing and we look forward to growing our fan base on the west side.”
The Rattlers, whose season begins in February, will construct their schedule around the Arizona Coyotes’ home games.
Last week, the Phoenix Mercury announced they would play their 2020 season at Veteran’s Memorial Coliseum. The Madhouse on McDowell was also under consideration to house the Rattlers.
