Desert Diamond Arena, the former home of the NHL’s Arizona Coyotes, has released details of a $42m (£33m/€40m) transformation project as it transitions from a sports arena into a premier “music mecca”.
The redevelopment of the Glendale arena is being spearheaded by ASM Global, in collaboration with venue strategist Forward Associates and global architecture and engineering firm HOK.
Key upgrades include enhanced facilities and guest accommodations, which aim to set a “new standard” for concert venues in the Southwest region. Fan experiences will include the street-inspired Floor Bar, on-course Marketplace culinary creations, and private booths.
Other amenities will include the Bassline Bar experience, The View’s VIP club, and private loges in the Encore area of the arena. ASM Global intends to replicate this model across other US locations, with Desert Diamond Arena serving as a “prototype for innovative, high-impact venue experiences”.
The project, which is being carried out by 23 local trade partners, is set for completion in the spring. It will include nearly 25 redesigned spaces and will tie in with a broader plan to elevate Desert Diamond Arena and its surrounding 250-acre entertainment complex.
The wider complex includes State Farm Stadium, home of the NFL’s Arizona Cardinals. It also includes the Westgate Entertainment District, which features bars, restaurants and experiential entertainment.
Glendale city manager Kevin Phelps said: “Desert Diamond Arena’s $42m renovation is a transformative investment, solidifying Glendale as a premier entertainment destination in the Southwest. With state-of-the-art amenities, reimagined suites and expanded programming on par with the newest venues nationwide, we’re delivering unforgettable experiences that drive economic growth, attract top-tier events and fuel local businesses.
“Glendale’s entertainment district – home to nearly 4,000 hotel rooms, convenient freeway access and more than 26,000 parking spaces – is unmatched in its scale, accessibility and impact, positioning our community as a leader in live entertainment for years to come.”
Desert Diamond Arena is home to Professional Bull Riders team the Arizona Ridge Riders, as well as the Arizona Rattlers Arena Football team. It has a seated capacity of 19,000 for concerts.
Desert Diamond Arena was formerly known as Gila River Arena but rebranded in 2022 following an agreement with gaming group Desert Diamond Casinos.
The venue was home to the NHL’s Coyotes until 2022. In April, the NHL’s Board of Governors approved the sale of the Coyotes to Smith Entertainment Group (SEG), which relocated the franchise to Salt Lake City. The rebranded Utah Hockey Club debuted at the start of the 2024-25 NHL season.
The relocation came after the Coyotes saw multiple efforts to develop a new arena fall through. The NHL approved a plan that renders the Coyotes inactive, with a right to reactivate if owner Alex Meruelo has fully constructed a state-of-the-art, NHL-ready arena within five years. In June, reports emerged that the Coyotes had ended plans to return to the NHL.
The Coyotes’ lease at Gila River Arena expired following the 2021-22 campaign and the team spent its final two seasons at Mullett Arena, home of Arizona State University’s ice hockey team.
