Photos by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey
Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.14
Desert Financial Arena 634 E Veterans Way Tempe, AZ 85281
Year Opened: 1974
Capacity: 14,198
Forks Up Volleyball
Arizona State University (ASU) Sun Devils volleyball began play in 1973. The team has made 20 NCAA appearances, the last in 2023. They play in the NCAA D1 Big XII conference.
The Sun Devils play volleyball at both Desert Financial Arena and the recently built Mullett Arena, depending on schedules and other activities on campus. Desert Financial Arena is home to the men’s and women’s basketball teams. It serves as the home arena for the ASU wrestling and gymnastics teams, as well. Concerts, graduations, and shows also fill the stands at the venue.
Food & Beverage 2
A few concession stands serving traditional stadium food dot the concourse at Desert Financial Arena. Be sure to walk the concourse as each stand sells different meals and snacks.
Fare includes loaded cheese fries, regular fries, chicken tenders, cheesesteak, value dog, nachos, popcorn, pretzels, and peanuts. Prices run from $6 up to $13.50. Coca-Cola is the soda provider ($6/$8). Cans of beer (Coors Light, Lagunitas IPA, Dos Equis, Hard Seltzer, and Spiked Lemonade) cost $15.
It’s nothing out of the ordinary but enough to satisfy a hungry fan. Visitors can bring in a bottled water. The venue has water fountains designed for easy bottle refill.
Atmosphere 3
The arena provides two levels of seating with a walkway between the two. The upper level is closed for volleyball matches. The lower seating extends up to 20 – 22 rows. Twenty-two is closest to the concourse. The venue does not have handrails for climbing up and down. Handicapped seating lines the walkway with banquet-type chairs and extra room for wheelchairs and walkers. The interior highlights maroon-colored seats accented with gold walls and facade facing, portraying the ASU school colors well.
Desert Financial Arena, ASU Sun Devils Volleyball, Photo by Meg Minard
Customer service is excellent, with friendly, helpful staff.
They play the music loud, sometimes painfully loud, and drown out the prematch PA announcements. They do not play music while the sets are in process but during time-outs and stoppages. The volume is lower then, but still too loud to talk with your neighbor without yelling. If you’re sensitive to loud music, bring earplugs.
Game day operations turn the lights off during the Sun Devils’ introductions. Fans cannot see the players as they are introduced. This baffles me.
The temperature in the arena is comfortable. Not too cold, not too hot. Bring a long- sleeved shirt if air conditioning chills you.
It’s an enjoyable few hours out and pleasantly different if you’re more used to watching the traditional Big Four U.S. sports..
Neighborhood 5
Desert Financial Arena is near Arizona State University’s other sports venues in Tempe, AZ, and has plenty of places to eat, drink, and sleep.
Downtown Tempe is just a short walk away and is the place to go pretty much all the time when you’re at ASU, especially on match days. Whatever kind of food, atmosphere, or price is desired, downtown Tempe has it. It’s one of those places where one could go to a different restaurant or bar before every ASU volleyball match and still not see everything by the end of the season.
Snooze an AM Eatery is always a good place for breakfast/brunch, as is Chompie’s Restaurant. A Buffalo Wild Wings is close by. Devil’s Advocate Sports Grill is certainly one of the more popular options among ASU fans. Less than a mile away (or one light rail stop) is Mill Ave, home to all varieties of restaurants and bars. Four Peaks Brewing, The Beer Shop, Hundred Mile Brewery (women-owned), and Pedal Haus Brewery are 1 ½ – 2 miles from the arena.
About a mile northeast of Desert Financial Arena is Tempe Marketplace, which has even more restaurants and shops, plus a movie theater.
Hotels within walking distance of the arena include Hyatt Place Tempe / Phoenix / University (right across the street), Residence Inn by Marriott Tempe Downtown/University, or Tempe Mission Palms Hotel. There’re plenty more to choose from, just a light rail stop or two away.
Other things to see or do in Tempe include the Phoenix Zoo, the Desert Botanical Gardens, and the Arizona State University Art Museum. Other sports to enjoy during volleyball season in Tempe include Sun Devil football, basketball, and ice hockey. A little farther away, basketball fans can visit Footprint Center to watch the Phoenix Suns or the Phoenix Mercury or catch an MLB Arizona Diamondbacks game at Chase Field. Just a tad north, visit Grand Canyon University Antelopes volleyball at Grand Canyon University Arena.
Fans 3
Sun Devils fans always root their teams on well, including volleyball. The volleyball fans are welcoming and supportive of both teams on the court. Some fans bring banners and all cheer for good plays and long volleys. At the match of this review, fans initiated several crowd waves during the sets.
Access 5
The arena’s East, West, and South doors are open for ASU Volleyball matches.
Getting to and around Desert Financial Arena is relatively easy and it is close to the interchange of Loop 101 and Loop 202. Take the Rural/Scottsdale exit on Loop 202. A parking garage and parking lot are off Packard Dr (northeast side of the arena).
An excellent option is to take the Valley Metro Light Rail ($4 for an all-day pass/$2 for seniors) and get off at the Veterans Way/College Ave stop. Walk three blocks east past Sun Devil Stadium to the arena. An Uber/Lyft drop off and pick up is at the west entrance on E Veterans Way, the same side as the light rail.
The City of Tempe offers free rides via their Orbit Shuttle or FLASH service with stops near Desert Financial Arena.
The nearest airport is Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, about a 15-minute drive to Desert Financial Arena. Fans can take the Valley Metro Light Rail directly from the airport to the arena and downtown Tempe.
Concourses are plenty wide and do not get congested during sets. Clean restrooms are on the north and south sides of the concourse, with a family restroom on the southwest side near sections W and V.
Security requires adherence to the clear bag policy at all ASU sports facilities.
Return on Investment 3
I paid $15 for a single match at Desert Financial Arena, which seems high. It looks like some matches are $10. Fans purchase tickets via a stand-alone kiosk, and the kiosk sends tickets via text to your phone. The traditional ticket booths are used for will-call only. Parking is free; concessions prices are decent.
Desert Financial Arena Ticket Kiosk, Photo by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey
Extras 1
Arizona State University Sports Hall of Fame – Photos are affixed to the concourse walls honoring all ASU athletes who made a difference. Trophy cases adorn parts of the concourse featuring the many accolades of the ASU sports teams.
Final Thoughts
Fans at ASU volleyball matches are engrossed in the action and cheer the team on enthusiastically. Although reaching its 50th anniversary, Desert Financial Arena still offers a good game day event.
Sun Devils Logo on Desert Financial Arena Court, Photo by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey
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