How do I get to Footprint Center as an away fan?

Fly into Phoenix Sky Harbor (PHX), minutes from downtown. Valley Metro Light Rail is the best option — nearest stops are 3rd St/Washington and 3rd St/Jefferson, under a 10-minute walk, and from the airport the PHX Sky Train connects to the light rail. Great perk: your event ticket doubles as a FREE light rail pass (the Rail Ride Event program) starting 4 hours before game time for Suns/Mercury games.

What is parking like at Footprint Center and when should away fans arrive?

The two official garages are the attached Footprint Center Garage (1st St & Madison) and the Jefferson Street Garage (~1,500 spots); Chase Field Garage is nearby too. Expect $20–40 for an NBA/NHL game, with some downtown lots $8–20. Pre-book via Ticketmaster/SpotHero/ParkWhiz to save and guarantee a spot, and arrive early since the attached garage isn't unlimited for the public.

Where do visiting fans sit at Footprint Center?

It's a renovated arena with good sightlines and no major obstructed views, comfortable throughout. Lower-bowl seats are pricier while the upper deck is good value. Suns crowds are relaxed and fine for visiting fans.

What food should you get at Footprint Center, and what should you bring?

Get Southwestern and Sonoran-style flavors alongside the arena standards. Check the bag policy, as arena clear-bag or small-bag rules usually apply. It's indoors and air-conditioned, so the desert heat isn't a factor inside.

Is Footprint Center friendly to away fans, and any insider tips?

Stay downtown and use the light rail — central and easy. Enjoy the air-conditioned arena away from the desert heat. Pair the trip with the wider Phoenix/Scottsdale area, and enjoy a relaxed crowd. A comfortable away arena.

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NBA · Phoenix Suns

Visiting Footprint Center as an Away Fan: The Complete Guide

Q: Where should visiting fans stay for a Suns game at Footprint Center?

Downtown Phoenix puts you within walking distance of the arena and the city's dining and nightlife — the ideal base. Staying downtown or near a light-rail stop keeps game night car-free and easy.

Q: What is the pregame scene like at Footprint Center?

Downtown Phoenix around the arena — near CityScape — has bars and restaurants within a walk. The light rail makes it easy to reach more of central Phoenix before tip-off.

Footprint Center · 201 E Jefferson St, Phoenix, Arizona

★ A downtown arena in walkable Phoenix

Footprint Center sits in downtown Phoenix (201 E Jefferson St), on the Valley Metro light rail and walkable to the city's bars and restaurants. Home to the Phoenix Suns (and the WNBA's Mercury), it's central and easy, with plenty to do right around it. Its naming has shifted with sponsorship deals (including an interim "PHX Arena" period), but locals still call it Footprint Center. Here's how to do a Suns road trip right.

Getting There

Fly into Phoenix Sky Harbor (PHX), just minutes from downtown. Valley Metro Light Rail is the best option — the nearest stops are 3rd St/Washington (westbound) and 3rd St/Jefferson (eastbound), under a 10-minute walk. From the airport, the PHX Sky Train → light rail is the simplest car-free route, and the line connects from Tempe and Mesa too.

★ Free rail perk: your event ticket doubles as a FREE light rail pass (the "Rail Ride Event" program) starting 4 hours before game time, for all Suns/Mercury games and events — a real money-saver (regular fare is otherwise ~$2). E-scooters (Bird/Lime/Lyft) with designated parking zones are also around the arena.

Where to Stay

Downtown Phoenix puts you within walking distance of the arena and the city's dining and nightlife — the ideal base.

Staying downtown or near a light-rail stop keeps game night car-free and easy.

Parking & When to Arrive

The two official options are the Footprint Center Garage (attached, entrance at 1st St & Madison) and the Jefferson Street Garage (3rd St & Jefferson, ~1,500 spots); the Chase Field Garage is nearby too. Expect $20–40 for an NBA/NHL game (preferred and concerts run higher), while some downtown lots go $8–20. Pre-book via Ticketmaster/SpotHero/ParkWhiz to save and guarantee a spot — the attached garage isn't unlimited for the general public. No tailgating in the garage.

Arrive early to enjoy downtown — the bars and restaurants around the arena make for an easy pregame.

Where Visiting Fans Sit

It's a renovated downtown arena (~17,000+ for basketball) with good sightlines and no major obstructed views, comfortable throughout. The lower bowl is premium while the upper level is the value tier. Suns crowds are relaxed and fine for visiting fans.

Food & What to Bring

There are standard arena concessions inside, and downtown Phoenix dining right outside (near CityScape) for pre/postgame.

On bags, clear bags up to 12"×6"×12" or small clutches 4.5"×6.5" are generally allowed — confirm the current policy on the venue site. There's no outside food or beverage, and it's mobile ticketing, so load your ticket before arriving since cell service congests. It's indoors and air-conditioned, so the desert heat isn't a factor inside.

The Pregame Scene

Downtown Phoenix around the arena — near CityScape — has bars and restaurants within a walk.

The light rail makes it easy to reach more of central Phoenix before tip-off.

Insider Tips

Locals still call it Footprint Center. Take Valley Metro Light Rail — and your event ticket is a FREE rail pass from 4 hours before (stops at 3rd St/Washington & 3rd St/Jefferson; PHX Sky Train → light rail from the airport). If you drive, parking is $20–40 (pre-book) or downtown lots $8–20. Bring clear/small bags, and arrive early.

Stay downtown, pair the trip with the wider Phoenix/Scottsdale area, and enjoy a relaxed crowd in the air-conditioned arena. A comfortable away arena.

Plan & Book

Build your Footprint Center trip

Choose each piece — flights into PHX, a hotel in downtown Phoenix near light rail, Suns tickets, and a rental car if you want to explore (light rail covers the game). It adds to your trip below. Nothing books until you're ready.