Tucson Arena - Tucson Roadrunners
- Meg Minard
- 5 days ago
- 6 min read
Photos by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey
Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57
Tucson Arena 260 S Church Ave Tucson, AZ 85701 Map It
Year Opened: 1971 Capacity: 6,521
Hockey in Arizona
The Tucson Roadrunners are celebrating their tenth season (2025–26) in the American Hockey League (AHL). Formerly affiliated with the NHL’s Arizona Coyotes, the Roadrunners shifted their partnership to the Utah Mammoth following the Coyotes’ relocation to Salt Lake City. The franchise traces its roots to the Springfield Falcons of Massachusetts before moving to Tucson ahead of the 2016–17 season. Since then, the Roadrunners have called the historic Tucson Arena home.
Opened in 1971, Tucson Arena is part of the Tucson Convention Center (TCC), which earned a place on the National Register of Historic Places in 2015. A $22 million renovation in 2014 modernized the venue with new seating, upgraded lighting, refreshed restrooms, a revamped sound system, a new kitchen, and a video scoreboard.
Today, the Roadrunners share the arena with the University of Arizona Wildcats hockey team and the Tucson Sugar Skulls of the Indoor Football League. Beyond sports, Tucson Arena also hosts major entertainment events, including Monster Jam and Professional Bull Riders (PBR) competitions, making it a versatile hub for the community.
Food & Beverage 3
Tucson Arena provides a tempting offering of food choices during Roadrunners games. Two permanent concession stands are to the left and right after entering the rink. Several stand-alone food carts line the upper rim of the concourse.
Permanent concessions offer macho nachos, street tacos (3/$12), a foot long desert dogs, double bacon cheeseburgers, southwest chicken Caesar wraps, a turkey cheddar bacon ranch salad, and a Sonoran salad, with prices ranging from $12 - $15.
Traditional stadium food and snacks like hot dogs, soft sourdough pretzels, chips, candy, and the like are for sale. Several concession specials include Two for Tuesdays, offering $2 hot dogs and $2 sodas, and Cool Willey’s Frosty Friday ($5 draft beers and $5 hot dogs).
Stand-alone food carts along the concourse include Jerimiah’s Italian Ice (Italian ice, Jelati, and soft ice cream), a Maui Wowi cart provides smoothies. Chick-fil-A, cotton candy, popcorn, Dippin’ Dots, Thrifty Brand ice cream, and Express Yourself coffee also sell their fare.
Pepsi products are the soda of choice ($6/$7), and beer is ($12 - $15). Fans can purchase a single cocktail or wine for $10 - $20.
It’s a pretty familiar lineup—nothing that steals the spotlight, but there’s plenty to enjoy.
Atmosphere 3
The seating bowl forms a U-shape, with rows on three sides and the concourse running above them. You can see the action the entire time while walking the concourse. Sideline seats offer the best perspective; the second level provides an excellent full-ice view. Seats are on the tighter side, with cupholders on the armrests and average legroom. Sections are clearly marked, and ushers stationed at the top of each aisle are consistently helpful.
The arena lacks a center-hung scoreboard; instead, a video board sits at the top of the U, with a traditional stat board mounted on the opposite end. Short ribbon boards flank the video screen with sponsor messages, and additional video panels on the back of the camera wells run a loop of upcoming TCC events.
The temperature is generally fine, though those who run cold may want an extra layer—jacket, sweatshirt, gloves, or a hat. Music is played loudly but not to the point of discomfort. Game-day promotions are plentiful, including chuck-a-puck, a 50/50 raffle, fan contests like musical chairs, pee wee hockey, t-shirt tosses, and even pizza delivery.
The Roadrunners also host themed nights and giveaways throughout the season. One highlight is Winning Wednesdays: attend a Wednesday home game, and if the team wins, you receive a free ticket to the next Wednesday home game. Other theme nights include Glow Night, Teddy Bear Toss, Peanuts Night, and U of A College Night.
Fans can pick up a roster sheet at the customer service table in front of Section 214 on the inner concourse, which also includes the current AHL standings. A pleasant surprise is that the arena keeps the lights on between periods, dimming them only slightly before puck drop. Two Zambonis handle ice maintenance—one of which is cleverly designed to look like a mouse, courtesy of a critter-control sponsor.
Neighborhood 4
Visiting Tucson is a treat. It is not as commercialized as the Phoenix area, and it maintains much of its natural beauty by not building and destroying its land, natural settings, and landscape.
The arena is downtown near El Presidio Park, the old county courthouse, and the Pima County courthouse. Several museums are within walking distance, including the Children’s Museum and the Museum of Contemporary Art. Or, if it’s a pleasant fall day, walk the Turquoise Trail, a historical walking tour of downtown Tucson.
A good place for a pregame dinner within walking distance (1/2 mile) of the arena is the El Charro Café. Other places include The HUB (ice cream, food, and drinks), Miss Saigon Downtown (Vietnamese), or Empire Pizza & Pub (New York-style pizza).
Tucson offers several breweries near the arena. Crooked Tooth, Pueblo Vida Brewing Company, and Iron John’s are worth a visit if craft breweries are your thing.
Not within walking distance but worth visiting when in the Tucson area are the Mission San Xavier del Bac (founded in 1692), the Saguaro National Park (home to the nation’s largest and most abundant cacti), and taking a drive up to the top of A Mountain (Sentinel Peak) for a beautiful view.
The biggest event in Tucson is the Gem and Mineral show at the end of Jan / beginning of February each year.
One hotel, Double Tree by Hilton Tucson Downtown Convention Center, is right next to the hotel, but it’s pricey. We recommend Hotel McCoy, about 2.5 miles from the arena. It is a reasonably priced hotel and has all sorts of nifty items.
Other sports to see during hockey season include the Arizona Wildcats (University of Arizona) football, hockey, basketball, and baseball teams.
Fans 3
The Roadrunners have a strong base of diehard fans. Fans are few but hardy. Quite a few bring their cowbells and ring them fiercely at appropriate times.
The Roadrunners have averaged over 4,000 per game the last two years, placing them toward the lower end of the AHL attendance numbers.
They, of course, do the traditional ‘It’s All Your Fault’ chanting to the opposing goaltender when he gives up a goal.
Access 4
Parking sits right next to the arena and costs $15, with payment handled through Premium Parking. Fans willing to walk a bit can find additional lots and garages for around $5. A full parking map is available here.
Tucson’s Sun Link streetcar offers an easy alternative to driving, dropping fans just a few blocks from the arena. Tucson International Airport is about eight miles south, and the city itself is roughly a two‑hour drive from Phoenix.
All guests pass through metal detectors and a security check upon entry. Backpacks and large bags aren’t permitted, but standard clear sports bags (14” x 16”) are allowed. Doors open 60 minutes before puck drop.
Fans first step into a wide outer concourse that includes the merchandise table, then enter through glass doors into the inner concourse. The concourse sits at the top of the seating bowl, with stairs leading down to the seats. Handrails run down the center of the aisles, and wheelchair‑accessible seating is available along the top row with strong sightlines to the ice. The concourse can feel tight between periods when the building is full.
Restrooms are clean and well-maintained, located at both ends of the U‑shaped layout.
Return on Investment 4
Single‑game tickets run from $25 to $102. Around $48 places you near center ice on the second level, though the $25 seats offer a surprisingly comparable view. Good options include Sections 203 and 205, which face the penalty box, or Sections 221 and 223, which look toward the benches. Avoid rows A and B—they sit too close to the glass to comfortably follow the action.
Fans can also take advantage of group deals, flex plans, and 12‑game packages that bring the overall cost down. Concession prices are fairly reasonable by AHL standards. While prices have risen since the team’s inaugural season, attending a Roadrunners game remains a solid value for a night of sports entertainment.
Extras 4
The merchandise area on the outer concourse is worth a mention. There’s plenty of room to walk around and shop. Spin the wheel at the promotions table and win tchotchkes like stickers, sunglasses, keychains, etc.
The TCC Plaza outside the arena was recently refurbished with new fountains, trees, flowers, and a garden.
A unique feature not that common in hockey rinks is that the players' benches are not long enough to fit the backup goalie. They sit on a stool behind the glass where the players enter the rink.
Within the same structure of the Tucson Arena is the Tucson Musicians Museum (free), and across the plaza is the Linda Ronstadt Music Hall.
Final Thoughts
Visiting Tucson, AZ and watching an AHL Roadrunners game is an enjoyable experience and one worth checking out.
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