Photos by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey
Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43
Mullett Arena
411 S Packard Dr
Tempe, AZ 85281
Year Opened: 2022 Capacity: 5,000
Valley of the Suns
Beginning operation in the fall of 2024, the Valley Suns are the newest member of the G League, an NBA developmental league. The NBA Development League (NBA D-League) was renamed the NBA G League as part of a multiyear expanded partnership between the NBA and Gatorade in 2017-18. The Valley Suns are an affiliate of the Phoenix Suns, the last NBA team to own or operate a G League team.
The Valley Suns play in Mullett Arena on the Arizona State University (ASU) campus in Tempe, AZ. The arena is better known as the home of ASU Sun Devils ice hockey and was home to the Arizona Coyotes for two years before they moved to Utah in 2024. Mullett Arena also hosts ASU women’s basketball, volleyball, wrestling, and concerts. The venue displays some, but not much, Valley Suns signage; it’s still undeniably an ASU facility.
While the team is still new and fans have not quite come out in droves to watch them, it is gaining some traction for basketball fans in the Phoenix Metro area. And for good reason, as attending a Valley Suns game is an immensely enjoyable few hours of sports entertainment.
Food & Beverage 2
Three concessions stations were open to the general public on the day of this visit: a Wetzel’s Pretzels, a grab-n-go Marketplace, and a Cold Beer & Cheeseburgers stand. A Venezia’s Pizza stand is sometimes open, so look for that near section 108. The Wetzel’s and Marketplace are near the entrance; the cheeseburger and pizza selections are on the upper level.
A Coors Light Club Chill with tables and chairs is also on the upper level, but only fans with special tickets can get food there.
The Marketplace has packaged snacks ($3 - $10) and canned and bottled drinks ($5 water; $17 premium bomber/seltzer). Cold Beer & Cheeseburgers, an Arizona sports bar chain, sells burgers ($16/$17) and slider and chicken baskets ($15/$16).
Soft drinks are Coca-Cola brands. Fans can bring in one sealed bottle of water.
The food choices and selections are enough for a Valley Suns game. The prices are on the high side. We recommend getting a snack, if needed, and then heading to one of many restaurants and eateries in the nearby Tempe area.
Atmosphere 4
Fans have a pleasurable and fun few hours watching good basketball at a Valley Suns game at Mullett Arena.
It’s a college arena holding 5,000 seats, so every seat has a decent view of the court. Sitting at center court is probably the best view but even the corner seats have decent sights. Plastic fold-down seats surround the court with rows running A – P with P being the highest row. Courtside seats line the hardwood floor. Cement bleachers (student section used during ASU hockey games) situated behind one of the baskets remain empty during a Valley Suns game. A drink rail surrounds the upper level where some fans socialize for parts of the game.
The venue also has loge boxes and suites; they are not used during Valley Suns games (at least the game we attended).
The arena has a vividly crisp center-hung video scoreboard that shows gameplay, score, players on the court and their stats, time outs left, and time. Two smaller dot matrix boards are attached to the second-level seating façade. The team conveniently posts live closed captioning on the ends of the ribbon boards so fans can read the announcer’s calls.
The pre-game music is painfully loud; fans are unable to converse during that time. Bring earplugs or noise-canceling headsets if you or your family are sensitive to deafening noises. Thankfully, the volume is lowered during game time and is not played during game action, only during pre-game and stoppages.
Game day operations turn off the lights during the National Anthem and player introductions. Many fans turn their phone flashlight on and wave it during the pre-game which is always a fantastic thing to see and participate in.
The temperature in the arena is perfect. A long-sleeved shirt is sufficient for most fans.
The mascot, named Ray, is a furry orange blob who participates in activities such as fan contests and t-shirt tosses. He/she is seen roaming the court and by the stands, ready for a picture and some fun and mascot antics.
In-game promotions include a t-shirt toss, a hi-lo card game sponsored by a casino, name as many specific topic items as you can, a dance cam and funny face cam, a scream for courtside tickets, and more. And even better, it’s not done to the extreme.
It’s a very enjoyable game day visit, and we find ourselves wanting to go back.
Neighborhood 4
Mullett Arena sits on the ASU (Arizona State University) Tempe campus between Mountain West Stadium and the Track Field grounds near Desert Financial Arena. Tempe is a vibrant, active community and college town. Numerous restaurants and bars are open within a mile of the arena for a bite to eat or drink before or after a Valley Suns game.
Eureka is the closest, serving craft beers, cocktails, and a delicious selection of house-made fare. Cornish Pasty Co, Snooze (breakfast), Postino Annex, and Alter Ego (breakfast, lunch, and dinner – Asian inspired) are just several of the many other nearby eateries to choose from. Several breweries are a short distance away (less than 2 miles): Hundred Mile Brewing, Four Peaks Brewing, Pedal Haus, and The Shop Beer Co. all serve their delicious craft beers.
Other things to see and do when visiting Tempe include Rio Salado Park (river park for hiking and birding), ASU Art Museum, Tempe Marketplace (shopping), Papago Park, Phoenix Zoo, and the Desert Botanical Gardens. A plethora of other sports are in session at the same time as the Valley Suns: ASU football, basketball (men’s and women’s), volleyball, and ice hockey. February and March bring Cubs spring training at nearby Sloan Park, and ASU baseball at Phoenix Municipal Stadium.
The Hyatt House Tempe is .2 miles from Mullett Arena, so quite walkable. Ten or more other hotels are in Tempe but a little further. Lodging is pricey downtown. A Holiday Inn Express and a Comfort Inn are a little over a mile from the arena and may be less costly.
It’s a bustling downtown and city; one worth checking out when in the area.
Fans 3
The Valley Suns are new and still establishing themselves in the Valley. Attendance averages between 400 – 600 fans per game, with attendance increasing as the season progresses.
The fans haven’t yet learned to wait for stoppages of play to head to or from their seats.
However, they are extremely engaged. Most stand until the team gets its first basket. They cheer on the players wholeheartedly throughout the game.
Phoenix Suns gear is seen in the crowd, with a trickle of Valley Suns jerseys and shirts in the mix. Those will come with time.
Access 4
Getting to Mullett Arena is pretty easy with parking and public transportation available. It is a mile south of the Loop 202/Scottsdale Rd exit. A four-story parking garage is adjacent to the arena, though, at $20 to park, it’s pricey. The arena is five miles from Sky Harbor Airport.
The ASU campus and the city of Tempe have plenty of public transportation. Fans can take the Valley Metro train to the Veterans/College Ave stop and either walk to Mullett Arena (a little over ½ mile) or hop on the 48 bus which drops you off right in front of the venue. Check Valley Metro for schedules, fares, and maps.
Fans painlessly enter through a security check before even getting to the ticket booth (outside). Gates open an hour before the scheduled tip-off. Clear 12” x 12” x 6” bags and small clutches are allowed.
The concourses are small though not crowded with the fan base at a Valley Suns game. Steps go upstairs to the higher rows with one elevator available between sections 104 - 105 (it’s gated off; you have to ask to use it). Otherwise, fans access the seats by ascending a short flight of stairs through portals or onto the court directly between sections 106 and 107.
The restrooms are new and sparkling clean.
Return on Investment 4
Except for the parking, the price for Valley Suns games is quite reasonable. They start at only $15 ($19.50 with fees and taxes) and go to $150 (floor seats). The team offers season and partial-season tickets. Student Rush tickets are $10 (check their website for details). Mullett Arena only offers e-tickets (the staff texts you with a link).
The game day experience is immensely enjoyable, so very worth your sports dollar expenditure.
The $20 to park in the garage is too much. Use Valley Metro for a more affordable choice to get to the arena. The concession prices are also high, but you don’t need to eat during a two-hour contest.
Extras 3
Having live closed captioning during a Valley Suns game is worth an extra mention.
The game day staff at Mullett Arena and a Valley Suns game are tremendously helpful, friendly, and polite and make you feel remarkedly welcomed. A merchandise area near the entrance has slick-looking t-shirts, sweatshirts, and trinkets (even hat pins)!
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