View source for Desert Diamond Arena

{{Short description|Entertainment arena in Glendale, Arizona}}
{{More citations needed|date=November 2023}}
{{Use American English|date=August 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2024}}
{{Infobox venue
| stadium_name = Desert Diamond Arena
| nickname = The Pit
| logo_image = Desert_Diamond_Arena_logo.svg
| logo_caption = 
| image = Gila River Arena Gate 4 Entrance.jpg
| image_size = 250px
| caption = Desert Diamond Arena in 2020
| address = 9400 W Maryland Ave
| location = [[Glendale, Arizona]], U.S.
| coordinates = {{Coord|33|31|55|N|112|15|40|W|type:landmark_region:US-AZ_scale:20000|display=inline,title}}
| pushpin_map         = USA Arizona Maricopa County#USA Arizona#USA
| pushpin_relief      = yes
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in Maricopa County##Location in Arizona##Location in USA
| broke_ground = {{Start date|2002|04|03}}
| opened = {{Start date|2003|12|26}}
| closed = 
| demolished = 
| owner = City of Glendale
| operator = [[ASM Global]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://nesn.com/2013/08/coyotes-purchased-by-icearizona-will-change-name-to-arizona-coyotes-after-next-season/ |title=Coyotes Purchased by IceArizona, Will Change Name to Arizona Coyotes After Next Season |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=August 5, 2013 |website=[[New England Sports Network]] |access-date=November 10, 2013}}</ref>
| surface = 
| architect = [[HOK Sport]]<ref>[http://portfolio.populous.com/projects/jobingarena.html Jobing.com Arena] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111008203300/http://portfolio.populous.com/projects/jobingarena.html |date=October 8, 2011 }} architect: [[Populous (company)|Populous]]</ref>
| project_manager = ICON Venue Group<ref>{{cite web|url=http://iconvenue.com/portfolio/jobingcom-arena |title=Jobing.com Arena|publisher=ICON Venue Group|date=December 26, 2003|access-date=August 24, 2012}}</ref>
| structural engineer = Martin/Martin Consulting Engineers, Inc.
| services engineer = [[Syska Hennessy]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.syska.com/expertise/markets/project.asp?idMarket=15&idProject=237|title=Creating Exceptional Environments|publisher=[[Syska Hennessy|Syska Hennessy Group, Inc.]]|access-date=August 24, 2012}}</ref>
| general_contractor = [[Tutor Perini|Perini Building Company]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://hockey.ballparks.com/NHL/PhoenixCoyotes/newindex.htm|title=Jobing.com Arena|publisher=Ballparks.com|access-date=August 24, 2012}}</ref>
| tenants = [[Arizona Coyotes|Phoenix/Arizona Coyotes]] ([[NHL]]) (2003–2022)<br>[[Arizona Sting]] ([[National Lacrosse League|NLL]]) (2003–2007)<br>[[Arizona State Sun Devils men's ice hockey|Arizona State Sun Devils]] ([[NCAA]]) (2015–2019)<br>Arizona Ridge Riders ([[Professional Bull Riders|PBR]]) (2022–present)<br>[[Arizona Rattlers]] ([[Indoor Football League|IFL]]) (2024–present)
| construction_cost = US$220 million<ref>{{cite news |title=Today's the Day. This Is Just the Beginning: A Milestone in West Side's Rise|first=Pat|last=Flannery|url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/azcentral/access/1815993871.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Dec+27%2C+2003&author=Pat+Flannery&pub=Arizona+Republic&desc=TODAY%27S+THE+DAY+%27THIS+IS+JUST+THE+BEGINNING%27+%2F+A+MILSTONE+IN+WEST+SIDE%27S+RISE&pqatl=google|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130201051647/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/azcentral/access/1815993871.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Dec+27,+2003&author=Pat+Flannery&pub=Arizona+Republic&desc=TODAY'S+THE+DAY+'THIS+IS+JUST+THE+BEGINNING'+/+A+MILSTONE+IN+WEST+SIDE'S+RISE&pqatl=google|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 1, 2013|newspaper=[[The Arizona Republic]]|location=Phoenix|date=December 27, 2003|access-date=March 7, 2012}}</ref><br>(${{formatprice|{{Inflation|US|220000000|2002}}}} in {{Inflation-year|US}} dollars){{inflation-fn|US}}
| former_names = Glendale Arena<br>(2003–2006)<br>Jobing.com Arena<br>(2006–2014)<br>Gila River Arena<br>(2014–2022)
| seating_capacity = 19,000<br>Ice hockey: 17,125
| website = {{URL|desertdiamondarena.com}}
}}

'''Desert Diamond Arena''' (originally '''Glendale Arena''' and formerly '''Jobing.com Arena''' and '''Gila River Arena''') is an indoor entertainment arena located in [[Glendale, Arizona]], which anchors the 223-acre, $1 billion [[Westgate Entertainment District]].

Located about {{convert|12.5|mi|km}} northwest of [[downtown Phoenix]], the arena was built east of [[Arizona Loop 101]] (Agua Fria Freeway) and on the north side of West Maryland Avenue at a cost of $220 million. Owned by the City of Glendale and managed by [[ASM Global]], Desert Diamond Arena is home to the [[Indoor Football League]]'s [[Arizona Rattlers]] (since 2024) and was home to the National Hockey League’s (NHL) [[Arizona Coyotes]] from 2003 until 2022. Since then it hosts concerts and other entertainment acts throughout the year. Desert Diamond Arena has a seating capacity of 17,125 for [[ice hockey]], 18,300 for [[basketball]] and about 19,000 for concert events. The arena has 3,075 club seats and 87 luxury suites.

==History==
[[File:Gila River Arena Pregame 2019.png|thumb|left|Desert Diamond Arena before a Coyotes game; from south end, looking north]]After the [[Winnipeg Jets (1972–1996)|Winnipeg Jets]] relocated to Phoenix in 1996, they spent their first 7+ seasons playing at [[America West Arena]] (AWA) as the Phoenix Coyotes. AWA had been  designed as the new home of the [[National Basketball Association|NBA's]] [[Phoenix Suns]] only four years earlier, so it had to be quickly retrofitted for hockey. The arena floor was barely large enough to fit an NHL regulation size hockey rink and some seats on the upper level hung over the boards. That obstructed the views for up to 3,000 spectators. As a result, before the team's second season in Phoenix, its hockey seating capacity was reduced from 18,000+ seats to 16,210 — then the second-smallest capacity in the NHL. After the [[Colorado Avalanche]] moved from [[McNichols Sports Arena]] into the [[Pepsi Center]] in 1999 and the [[Toronto Maple Leafs]] from [[Maple Leaf Gardens]] into the [[Air Canada Centre]] later that same season, America West Arena became the smallest NHL venue.

When the Coyotes were sold to a partnership led by Phoenix real estate developer Steve Ellman, they committed to build a new arena in the Phoenix suburb of Glendale. A lease agreement was signed with the City of Glendale in 2001, construction began on April 3, 2002, and the arena opened midway through the [[2003–04 NHL season]]. The [[National Lacrosse League]]'s [[Arizona Sting]] hosted the first sporting event in the arena, a 16–12 [[2004 NLL season]] opening victory against the [[Vancouver Ravens]] on December 26, 2003. The next evening, the Phoenix Coyotes hosted their first game before a standing room-only crowd of 19,052 ending in a 3–3 tie against the [[Nashville Predators]]. Their first win in Glendale was on December 31, 2003, with a 4-0 victory over the [[Los Angeles Kings]].

On August 19, 2021, the city of Glendale chose not to renew its contract with the team after the [[2021–22 NHL season|2021–22 season]], putting the franchise's future in Arizona into question. The Coyotes announced they would be seeking to build a new venue in [[Tempe, Arizona|Tempe]] in response.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.abc15.com/sports/city-of-glendale-decides-not-to-renew-operations-agreement-with-arizona-coyotes|title=City of Glendale decides not to renew operations agreement with Arizona Coyotes|date=August 19, 2021}}</ref> The final Coyotes home game at the arena was played April 29, 2022, a 5–4 comeback win against the Nashville Predators. After the season, the Coyotes moved their home games to [[Mullett Arena]] at [[Arizona State University]], where they played for the [[2022–23 Arizona Coyotes season|2022–23]] and [[2023–24 Arizona Coyotes season|2023–24]] seasons.<ref>{{cite web |title=Coyotes reach deal with ASU to play at new Sun Devil arena | date=October 28, 2022 |url=https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Daily/Closing-Bell/2022/10/28/Mullett-Arena-Arizona-Coyotes-debut.aspx#:~:text=The%20Coyotes%20are%20set%20to,advantage%20at%20intimate%20new%20home}}</ref>

Two years after their move, it was discovered through a report in April 2024 that the team did not collect items bearing the Coyotes branding and left them at the arena, including [[Shane Doan]]'s jersey retirement banner. It was recovered by an arena worker, who gave it to Doan when the word surfaced days after the Coyotes' final NHL game.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hockeyfeed.com/nhl-news/one-final-insult-for-shane-doan-from-the-arizona-coyotes|title=One final insult for Shane Doan from the Arizona Coyotes|date=April 30, 2024|accessdate=May 3, 2024}}</ref>

===Concerts and events===
Desert Diamond Arena has hosted numerous concerts and events since opening in December 2003. A string of concerts in the arena’s inaugural year included performances by [[Prince (musician)|Prince]], [[Rod Stewart]], [[Toby Keith]], [[Britney Spears]], and [[Usher (musician)|Usher]]. Since then, other acts performing there included [[U2]], [[RBD]], [[Elton John]], [[The Rolling Stones]], [[Paul McCartney]], [[Bruce Springsteen]],  [[Rage Against the Machine]], [[Billie Eilish]], [[Kenny Chesney]], [[Mötley Crüe]], [[Justin Timberlake]], [[Katy Perry]], [[The Eagles]], [[Taylor Swift]], [[Miley Cyrus]], [[Hannah Montana]], [[The Weekend (Canadian band)|The Weeknd]], [[Harry Styles]], [[Celine Dion]], [[Coldplay]], [[Eric Church]], [[Justin Bieber]], [[Kendrick Lamar]], [[Ed Sheeran]], [[Shawn Mendes]], [[Sam Smith]], [[Demi Lovato]],[[Bon Jovi]], [[Khalid (American singer)|Khalid]], [[Madonna]], [[Pearl Jam]], [[Red Hot Chili Peppers]], [[Usher (musician)|Usher]], [[John Mayer]], [[Tim McGraw]], [[Faith Hill]], [[The Killers]], [[Florence & The Machine]], [[Enhypen]], [[Lady Gaga]], [[Zach Bryan]], [[Benson Boone]], [[Laufey (singer)|Laufey]], [[Conan Gray]], [[5 Seconds Of Summer]], [[Hatsune Miku]] and [[For King & Country (band)|For King & Country]].

Desert Diamond Arena events in recent years included ''[[UFC on Fox: Poirier vs. Gaethje]]'', ''[[UFC 263|UFC 263: Adesanya vs. Vettori 2]]'', [[Jake Paul vs. Anderson Silva]], [[Nitro Circus Live]], [[WWE Raw]], [[WWE SmackDown]], [[Stars on Ice]], [[2021 Gold Over America Tour]], [[Street League Skateboarding]], and [[WEC 53]]. The arena has hosted the  traveling family-oriented shows [[Radio City Christmas Spectacular]], [[Sesame Street Live]], the [[Harlem Globetrotters]] and [[Cirque du Soleil]].

Since 2005, the arena has hosted the Arizona state high school basketball, volleyball, wrestling and cheerleading tournaments in an event called "February Frenzy," resulting from a formal agreement between the City of Glendale and the [[Arizona Interscholastic Association]] (AIA).

The highest grossing event in venue history was ''[[UFC 263: Adesanya vs. Vettori 2]]'' on June 12, 2021, with 17,208 guests in attendance and $4,281,800 in revenue.

The arena was the temporary home of the [[Arizona Rattlers]] arena/indoor football team when their home arena, the [[Footprint Center]], was unavailable due to other events.  It hosted the [[Arena Football League]]'s [[ArenaBowl XXIX]] in 2016, the [[Indoor Football League]]'s playoffs in 2019 and was scheduled to host the team's IFL home season in 2020 prior to the [[COVID-19 pandemic in Arizona]].

Prior to the 2018–19 season, the Coyotes purchased and installed the center-hung scoreboard that was formerly used by the defunct [[The Palace of Auburn Hills]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Coyotes, Glendale & AEG Invest in State-of-the-Art Centerhung Video Board |url=https://www.nhl.com/coyotes/news/coyotes-glendale--aeg-invest-in-state-of-the-art-centerhung-video-board/c-299780222 |access-date=July 10, 2022 |website=NHL.com |date=August 16, 2018 |language=en-US}}</ref>

The arena was a regular stop for the [[Professional Bull Riders]] (PBR)'s Premier Series for several years. Since 2022, it has become the home of the PBR's Arizona Ridge Riders during the PBR Team Series season held from the summer to autumn.

The Arizona Rattlers announced that they would be moving to Desert Diamond Arena in 2024, after using the arena as a temporary home previously. This gives the arena their first tenant after the Arizona Coyotes had left in 2022.

On February 19, 2025, it was announced that [[All Elite Wrestling]] would hold their [[Double or Nothing (2025)|Double or Nothing]] pay-per-view at the arena on May 25, 2025.

During the [[memorial service of Charlie Kirk|memorial service]] of conservative activist and Arizona resident [[Charlie Kirk]] at nearby [[State Farm Stadium]] on September 21, 2025 following his [[assassination of Charlie Kirk|assassination eleven days prior]], overflow attendees were sent to Desert Diamond Arena.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=De Young |first1=Lauren |last2=Covarrubias Jr. |first2=Rey |date=September 21, 2025 |title=Huge crowds flock to Charlie Kirk service, leave exhausted and uplifted |url=https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/politics/arizona/2025/09/21/charlie-kirk-service-state-farm-stadium-crowds/86228387007/ |access-date=September 22, 2025 |work=The Arizona Republic}}</ref>

==Naming rights==
Glendale Arena was renamed ''Jobing.com Arena'' after a Phoenix-based [[employment website]] under a ten-year, $30 million contract established in October 2006.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/stories/2006/10/23/daily27.html |title=Jobing.com, Glendale Arena deal confirmed |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=October 25, 2006 |website=Phoenix Business Journal |publisher=[[American City Business Journals]] |access-date=November 10, 2013}}</ref>

The Coyotes terminated their agreement with Jobing.com and immediately announced a new nine-year naming and sponsorship deal on August 13, 2014, with [[Gila River Casinos]] — a group of [[tribal casinos]] that are controlled by the [[Gila River Indian Community]]. Former Coyotes President/CEO and Alternate Governor [[Anthony LeBlanc]] described the new agreement as the "most significant deal" made by the team under its new IceArizona ownership.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2162553-with-new-naming-rights-to-its-arena-the-arizona-coyotes-make-economic-statement | title=With New Naming Rights to Their Arena, Arizona Coyotes Make Economic Statement | work=Bleacher Report |date=August 13, 2014|access-date=August 18, 2014}}</ref> With it, the Gila River community became the first federally recognized Native American tribe to hold a naming rights deal with a venue for one of the [[major professional sports leagues in the United States and Canada]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/govbeat/wp/2014/08/14/an-arizona-tribe-is-going-to-be-the-first-to-have-naming-rights-to-a-professional-sports-arena/ |title=An Arizona tribe is going to be the first to have naming rights to a professional sports arena|newspaper=Washington Post|date=August 14, 2014|access-date=August 16, 2014}}</ref>

On August 23, 2022, the arena reached an agreement with [[Desert Diamond Casinos|Desert Diamond Casino]] to rename the arena as '''Desert Diamond Arena'''.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://tucson.com/entertainment/arts-and-theatre/desert-diamond-casino-lands-naming-deal-for-glendale-arena/article_1baca498-2302-11ed-9725-cb0b6c020509.html |title=Desert Diamond Casino lands naming deal for Glendale arena |accessdate=August 23, 2022}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Desert Diamond Arena}}
*{{Official website|https://www.desertdiamondarena.com/}}

{{s-start}}
{{succession box
 | title = Home of the<br>[[Arizona Coyotes]]
 | years = 2003 – 2022
 | before = [[America West Arena]]
 | after = [[Mullett Arena]]
}}
{{succession box
 | title = Home of the<br>[[Arizona Rattlers]]
 | years = 2024 – present
 | before = [[Footprint Center]]
 | after = Incumbent
}}
{{end}}

{{IFL Arenas}}
{{Former NHL arenas}}
{{Arizona Coyotes}}
{{Arizona Rattlers}}
{{Arizona State Sun Devils men's ice hockey navbox}}
{{Music venues of Arizona}}
{{Glendale, Arizona}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Gila River Arena}}
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[[Category:Buildings and structures in Glendale, Arizona]]
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