Coyotes Officially Moving To New ASU Arena On Temporary Basis

TEMPE, AZ —The Arizona Coyotes made it official Thursday, announcing they will be playing home games —at least for the next three seasons —at the new 5,000-seat hockey arena at Arizona State University in Tempe.

On Jan. 27, it was reported the Coyotes were in "advanced stages" of discussions with ASU about playing in the new arena, which is scheduled to open this fall. The Coyotes are in the final year of their lease at Gila River Arena in Glendale, and the city of Glendale announced last summer that it would not renew the operating agreement with the franchise.

Coyotes President and CEO Xavier A. Gutierrez announced the deal with ASU Thursday after the agreement was approved by the Arizona Board of Regents. The Coyotes will play all their home games at the new arena —which also will host ASU gymnastics, wrestling and concerts — during the 2022-23, 2023-24 and 2024-25 seasons, and there is an option for the 2025-26 campaign.

"We are thrilled that we have arranged to play our home games in Arizona State University's new multi-purpose arena starting next season," Gutierrez said. "This will be an incredible, intimate and exciting fan experience in a state-of-the-art new arena in a fantastic location in the heart of Tempe.

Gutierrez added: "We are very grateful to (ASU President) Dr. (Michael M.) Crow, the ASU Administration, ASU Athletic Department, and the Arizona Board of Regents for agreeing to provide us with this temporary arena solution for our team as we continue our efforts to secure a long-term home for the Coyotes in the Valley."

According to the Arizona Republic, the Coyotes' long-term plans are to build a $1.7 billion arena and entertainment district on 46 acres in Tempe, near Priest Drive and Rio Salado Parkway. The newspaper reported that a city committee currently is reviewing the team's bid to purchase two parcels of land.

With just 5,000 seats, the ASU arena will be the smallest in the National Hockey League by some distance. Canada Life Centre in Winnipeg, home of the Winnipeg Jets, currently is the smallest with a capacity of 15,321. All other arenas in the league hold between 16,000 and 21,000.

The Gila River Arena's capacity is 17,125, though the Coyotes —who are last in the Central Division and have the second-lowest overall point total in the league —currently are averaging 11,605 per game, which is the third-lowest total in the league.

The NHL remains committed to keeping the Coyotes in the Phoenix market, and Commissioner Gary Bettman said the temporary deal with ASU also helps the game's continued growth in the area.

"The National Hockey League thanks Arizona State University for its support of the Coyotes during this transition period and for what will be just its latest major commitment to growing our game in the Valley," Bettman said. "Having made the full-time transition to Division I just seven years ago, ASU hockey already has an NCAA Tournament appearance to its credit and now is moving into a new, state-of-the-art facility. Hockey is thriving in Tempe, and we are delighted that the Coyotes' passionate fans will get to experience ASU's on-campus energy while the club's new arena is being built."

The Coyotes also announced Thursday that the club is negotiating with Ice Den in Scottsdale to make the complex its full-time practice facility. The team currently uses the facility for practice when Gila River Arena is unavailable.

The franchise also announced that it plans to relocate its corporate offices to the East Valley later this year.