Batter Up or Go for the Goal: Plan a Sports Lover’s Trip to Phoenix

Heads up, sports fans — no matter what your game is, the Valley of the Sun has you covered. Phoenix is just one of 13 cities in the U.S. that serves up pro teams for all four major professional sports.

Plan your season, book your hotel and get ready to paint your face and root for aptly named desert teams like the Suns, Mercury, Coyotes, Diamondbacks and Cardinals.

But Big Four sports is far from the end of the story in the “Sticker Patch.”

Downtown Phoenix: The Hub of Activity

When booking extended-stay hotels in Arizona, downtown Phoenix puts you in the heart of sports action. Two major sports venues in the center of the city within blocks of one another roll out year-round sporting events that include NBA and WNBA basketball, NHL hockey, MBA baseball and IFL football.

Chase Field is the home of the Arizona Diamondbacks baseball team, with spring training games beginning in late February and the main season running from April through September.

The state-of-the-art ballpark has a pool suite where you can watch the game from the water, all-you-can-eat buffet seating, and even a dog park with patio-style seats where you can take your furry friend out to the ballgame.

Two blocks east, Talking Stick Resort Arena in downtown is home to four pro sports teams. It’s always time for pro basketball in the Valley of the Sun. Catch NBA games featuring the Suns from October through early April.

When visiting during summer, check out the Mercury women of the WNBA burning up the court from May through September. Cool off with indoor football with the Arizona Rattlers from March through June or Arizona Coyotes hockey from October through April. Between events, the venue hosts concerts and other live entertainment.

Don’t have tickets? Watch the game in a party atmosphere from nearby sports pubs, including Majerle’s Sports Grill, The Tilted Kilt, the Arrogant Butcher, Hard Rock Cafe and more.

A Football Favorite

State Farm Stadium in Glendale is set to host the Super Bowl for the third time in 2023. Home to the Arizona Cardinals football team, the venue previously had the honor in 2008 and 2015.

Visit during football season to catch the Cards in action, take a tour in the off-season or enjoy live entertainment. The stadium tucks into the heart of Glendale’s arts and entertainment district, offering dozens of options for shopping, dining and having fun when you’re not rooting on the team.

Take Me out to Spring Training

The Diamondbacks aren’t the only team training in the warm desert sun during February and March. All 15 teams in the Cactus League show up to play practice games at nine venues around town. Check out Arizona spring training hotels nearest the Valley of the Sun venue where your favorite team holds court.

West Valley:

• Camelback Ranch, Glendale — Chicago White Sox and Los Angeles Dodgers
• Goodyear Ballpark, Goodyear — Cleveland Indians
• Maryvale Baseball Park, Phoenix — Milwaukee Brewers
• Peoria Sports Complex, Peoria — San Diego Padres and Seattle Mariners
• Surprise Stadium, Surprise — Kansas City Royals and Texas Rangers

East Valley:

• Hohokam Stadium, Mesa — Oakland Athletics
• Salt River Fields at Talking Stick, Scottsdale — Arizona Diamondbacks and Colorado Rockies
• Scottsdale Stadium, Scottsdale — San Francisco Giants
• Sloan Park, Mesa — Chicago Cubs

But Wait, There’s More

Kick Off the New Year with a Kickoff

The end of December or beginning of January is an ideal time to ditch wintry weather to head for the warmth of the Valley of the Sun. The long-standing tradition of the Fiesta Bowl dates back to before pro sports came to Phoenix, and its accompanying merriment makes the perfect backdrop for a sports vacation.

The big game takes place on New Year’s Day, pitting top-ranked college teams against one another. But the days before are filled with pregame parties, the year’s most festive parade through downtown Phoenix, and other events like luncheons and golfing challenges

Enjoy the Weather at the Phoenix Open

One of the major sports-related social events of the year, the Waste Management Phoenix Open brings PGA golf and a week’s worth of festivities to the Valley of the Sun. General-admission tickets give access to the game, but Skybox Hole 16 (known locally as the “Sweet 16th”) or the Birds Nest, a party tent near the entrance, are the places to get social. The Nest also rolls out nightly concerts during the Open.

Roll in for NASCAR

March and November are prime for car racing as NASCAR events come to the ISM Raceway. Festivities include parades, driver meet-and-greet events, and lots of racing excitement around the mile-long track. Stick around after the races for live entertainment at the Trackside Bar & Grill throughout the weekend.