Phoenix Municipal Stadium - Arizona State Sun Devils
- Meg Minard
- Feb 18
- 7 min read
Photos by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey
Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29
Phoenix Municipal Stadium 5999 E. Van Buren St Phoenix, AZ 85008
Year Opened: 1964 Capacity: 8,775
Phoenix Muni
The Arizona State Sun Devils baseball team has a long and storied history, with only four losing seasons since its founding in 1959. The Sun Devils moved to the Big 12 conference beginning the 2024-25 season after successfully playing in the Pac-12 since 1978. The team is first in the number of alumni who have played in MLB. The stadium’s outfield walls proudly display nineteen retired numbers, many College World Series (CWS) appearances, and five national championship years.
After playing four decades at on-campus Packard Stadium (1974 – 2014) in Tempe, AZ, the Sun Devils moved to Phoenix Municipal Stadium (Phoenix Muni) in 2015. Phoenix Muni was built as the spring training home for the San Francisco Giants (1964 – 1981) and later the Oakland Athletics (1982 – 2014). Since taking residence, the Sun Devils have made significant renovations to the 60+ year-old facility.
Fans can admire a statue for Bobby Winkles, the first Sun Devil baseball coach (1959 – 1971) upon entering the venue.
It's an enjoyable, historic park in which to watch some spring baseball.
Food & Beverage 3
Phoenix Muni sticks to a classic ballpark menu, with the strongest variety found along the third base concourse. Lines can build at peak times, so plan accordingly. Hot dogs, chicken tenders with fries, and nachos run $7–$14, while snacks like popcorn, pretzels, peanuts, and candy range from $5–$13.50 depending on size. Just inside the main entrance, a Cold Beer & Cheeseburgers outpost (an Arizona sports‑bar chain) offers hot dog, cheeseburger, and chicken‑tender baskets for $14–$16. One of the best values is the sausage cart down the third‑baseline, serving Italian sausages and bratwursts.
Coke products are the stadium’s soda option, priced $6 -$8 for fountain drinks. Bottled water is $5, though fans may bring in sealed bottles, making it an easy place to save a few dollars. Beer and wine generally fall in the $14–$15 range. Tempe‑based Huss Brewing features its ASU‑themed ‘Devil’s Halo’ amber ale on tap.
A Chick‑fil‑A stand and an Ice kiosk sit along the third base concourse as well, with a standard chicken sandwich coming in at a steep $11.18.
Atmosphere 3
Attending a game at Phoenix Muni is a decent outing for any baseball fan. Green fold-down stadium seats (with cup holders) line the seating behind home plate and the infield while bleachers with backs (general admission) extend down the baselines. The bleacher area provides net-free seating, though those sections lack handrails and cup holders, and the seating is quite uncomfortable and cramped. A deck down the first baseline offers tables with stools, views of the field, and the indoor batting area.
Fans seeking shade should get tickets behind the home plate and infield area (sections 1 – 7 on the first level or in A to M on the second level). Sections 1 (and F and G) are directly behind home plate.
A fantastic amount of Sun Devil baseball fame and history surrounds the park. Plaques line the exterior of the park as well as the outfield walls. These include the number of players in MLB or made the MLB draft, All Americans, CWS appearances, number of conference championships and national championships, a plaque honoring Packard Stadium, and plaques acknowledging former team managers.
The left field line is 333 ft, honoring former coach Jim Brock #33; the right field line is 334 ft, acknowledging former player Cory Hahn #34. Nineteen ASU retired numbers are visible on the outfield wall. The light poles at the park are the ones from the old Polo Grounds, though the lights were updated before the 2025 season. Two ‘Chairs of Honor’ pay tribute to prisoners of war and those missing in action.
The scoreboard provides excellent gameday stats (including previous at-bat results) and player information, with some video tossed in when needed.
The announcer does a superb job calling the starting lineup and player changes (for both the home and away teams). Music can get loud between innings, so you’re forced to stop talking with friends around you while it lasts. Unfortunately, the music person has gotten on the ‘play loud noise snip its between every pitch’ band-wagon so watching a game isn’t quite as enjoyable as it used to be.
Located on the outer concourse to the right of the main entrance, the team shop is spacious and well‑organized, offering a wide selection of Sun Devil shirts, caps, and other merchandise.
Neighborhood 4
The stadium is adjacent to Papago Park, which also includes the Phoenix Zoo and the Desert Botanical Garden. If you’re an outdoorsy person on top of being a baseball fan, this area is the perfect place to spend the day. It is convenient to take your family to the zoo (which normally closes at 5 pm) and then head to the ballpark for a night game. The zoo is so close you can hear fans cheering in the stadium from inside almost the entire zoo.
Also, next door is the Hall of Flame Fire Museum which provides a history of firefighting exhibits.
While no places to eat or drink are within walking distance, a short drive (about 3 miles) down Mill Ave will bring fans to downtown Tempe, which has plenty of places to imbibe and dine. Pedal Haus Brewery (brewery with a full menu), Zipps Sports Grill, Daily Jam - Breakfast & Brunch Restaurant, and Postino Annex (wine café and light fare) are just a few recommended places. My favorite, Hundred Mile Brewing, is just two and a half miles away. In the same area, Canopy by Hilton Downtown, Sonesta Select Downtown Tempe, and AC Hotel are some hotels for travelling fans. Many more hotels are just two or so miles from the ballpark nearer the airport like Residence Inn, Radisson, Marriott, and Holiday Inn.
For other sports to see when in town, check out ASU basketball at Desert Financial Center or several spring training facilities. Tempe Diablo Stadium (Angels), Sloan Park (Cubs), or Scottsdale Stadium (Giants) are the closest ones; Chase Field, where the Diamondbacks play, is about eight miles west of Phoenix Muni.
Fans 3
Since the baseball program is so storied, a large season ticket holder base across multiple generations is in attendance for games. You’ll see current students, families with kids, middle-aged and retired alumni, and other fans. All cheer and applaud loudly when the Sun Devils make a good play and yell at the umps when a call is made against the Sun Devils. Many adorn ASU shirts and caps.
Attendance is always strong, with a 70% - 80% capacity at most games, more on weekend games, or when the Sun Devils battle their archrival U of A (University of Arizona) Wildcats.
Access 4
Fans get to the ballpark relatively easily by car, bike, light rail, or bus. It is about three miles from the ASU campus and a little over three miles from Sky Harbor Airport. If arriving by car, fans must walk over a bridge to get to the stadium. For those who can’t make the walk, a complimentary shuttle runs between the lot and the entrance, with tipping encouraged. Parking is $7, and in a frustrating change this season, payment is now QR‑code only.
For visitors taking the light rail get off the stop at Priest Dr/Washington St, then walk .6 miles to the stadium.
Clear sports stadium bags are allowed; knapsacks are not. The security individuals are welcoming; walking through the scanner and getting your bag checked is a breeze. Re-entry into the stadium is not allowed.
Select and order tickets at kiosks outside the ticket window. Buying a ticket is all cashless and ticketless; one must have a credit card and a working mobile phone to receive their ticket via a text. The WiFi isn’t strong, so often attendants must accept the text for you and their own phone and then walk you into the stadium. While it’s a nice idea, all parties must be present and enter together. I find it easier just ordering the tickets and parking before heading to the game. The venue has benches near the main entrance for fans to sit and wait for friends.
Newly painted, functional restrooms are on the concourse down both baselines.
Return on Investment 3
Aside from the constant noise between pitches, the overall game day experience is strong enough that the ticket prices feel like a worthwhile investment. General admission seats start around $12, while lower-level seats behind home plate run up to $35 before Ticketmaster fees. Prices rise to $14–$50 for higher‑profile opponents, especially the University of Arizona. If comfort and shade matter, spending a few extra dollars for infield seating is well worth it.
The program offers military discounts for all veterans, and season tickets are a smart option for anyone planning to attend multiple games. The Sun Devils even sell an eight‑game Sunday package.
Concessions trend expensive, so eating beforehand and bringing your own water is a good strategy. Parking is $7.
Extras 3
Both the history of the Sun Devils baseball team and the venue deserve additional accolades. For those with a fear of heights, shuttling fans from the parking lot to the entrance is a first-rate feature. Finally, having a welcoming and painless security entry makes all the difference in the world, and the parking and security folks do that well.
Final Thoughts
The background of Papago Park sets the overall ambience of visiting Phoenix Muni. It is a truly unique setting for college baseball and one that all baseball fans should try and experience. ASU Sun Devil baseball program is a premier one. I recommend all sports fans visit the legacy and history of the team and venue during the spring.
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