Desert Financial Arena
About Desert Financial Arena
Located in the heart of Tempe, Arizona, this 14,000-seat indoor arena is home to ASU men’s and women’s basketball, wrestling, volleyball, and gymnastics teams. It also hosts graduation ceremonies, a variety of concerts and other exciting community events.
Renamed Desert Financial Arena in 2019, this venue has witnessed historic victories, record-breaking performances, and unforgettable moments in ASU sports history.
Be part of the action at Desert Financial Arena!
Address
600 E Veterans Way
Tempe, AZ 85281
Stadium details
Originally opened in 1974 as ASU Activity Center, the six-story facility has been a centerpiece of Sun Devil Athletics for decades. Visitors can expect modern seating, great sightlines and an electric Game Day atmosphere. The arena features:
- Concessions offering a variety of food and beverage options
- Merchandise stands to gear up with official ASU Sun Devil apparel
- Easy accessibility with convenient parking and public transportation options
- VIP seating and premium experiences for special events
- A multimillion-dollar video scoreboard
- Two matrix scoreboards with up-to-the-minute game statistics on the east and west side arena walls
- 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
- An equipment room to support Sun Devil Athletics
Image gallery
ASU Desert Financial Arena driving directions and parking details
Planning to attend an ASU game? Find all the details on directions, parking, including available lots, permit requirements, and accessibility options. Learn about game-day parking fees, nearby public parking alternatives, and shuttle services to Desert Financial Arena.
Parking maps
Men’s basketball
Women’s basketball
Gymnastics
Volleyball
Wrestling
Related information
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.