Accessible Sporting Events in Phoenix

Earlier this year, a friend and I visited Phoenix and area to  attend PHXLights Music Festival.  We got to do some fun things including visiting the Phoenix Zoo, the Desert Botanical Gardens and more.  We end up going to 2 sporting events: Phoenix Suns vs San Antonio Spurs at the Footprint Center and opening game day for Arizona Diamondbacks vs LA Dodgers at Chase Field.

Footprint Center

about a 30 min walk/stroll from our hotel downtown

Footprint Center opened in June 1992 under the name America West Arena.  It has gone through several name changes since which includes US Airways Center, Talking Stick Resort Arena and Phoenix Suns Arena.  It has hosted games from the NBA, WNBA, ECHL and NHL and many concerts and wrestling events.

checking out the stadium

Getting There

staff member switched our regular seats to an accessible one

Since we were staying at Holiday Inn Express Downtown, it was just a 30 minute walk/stroll to the Footprint Center.  My friend bought last minute rush tickets to the Phoenix Suns vs San Antonio Spurs game so we just had basic non accessible tickets.

good game

Luckily staff member Rachel saw me and brought both of us to the accessible seating area.  Someone did not show up at the game so we were able to use those spots.  It was a much better view of the court so we were happy to move.  Final score was 115-94 for the Phoenix Suns win.

Phoenix Suns win

Chase Field

Chase Field opened in March 1998 as Bank One Ballpark.  It has a retractable rooftop and was always home to the Arizona Diamondbacks.  Concerts, bull riding and other sporting events have also been held at Chase Field since.

Chase Field is just a block from the Footprint Center

Getting There

early pre game festivities on opening day

From our hotel, it was again just a 30 minute walk/stroll to get to Chase Field.  It is actually just 1 block from the Footprint Center.  We chose a hotel that was wheelchair accessible and that didn’t need a taxi or Uber to get to and it worked out perfect for us.

getting hot dogs from a food truck

My friend got last minute rush tickets to the Arizona Diamondbacks vs LA Dodgers game.  Since it was opening day, we arrived early to attend the pre game parties and celebrations.  There was music, DJ’s, food trucks and tons of people just surrounding the stadium having fun.  After eating hot dogs from one of the food trucks, we headed in.

checking out the stadium

We explored the stadium and got a chance to take pictures before the game started.  Once it did start, we got moved to the accessible viewing area.  There was an elevator to take us there and the spot was great with an excellent view of the baseball diamond.  The final score was 5-2 for the LA Dodgers.

got moved to the accessible seating area

Final Thoughts

Going to both the Phoenix Suns and the Arizona Diamondbacks games were fun.  We were lucky getting cheap last minute rush tickets to both events and getting them exchanged for accessible seating.  Both the Footprint Center and Chase Field were located downtown which made it easy to get to.  I would see games at both venues again.