Arizona Coyotes at Mullett Arena: What You Need to Know About the Team's Home

The Arizona Coyotes' move to Mullett Arena represents a significant shift in NHL history—one of the first times in modern professional hockey that a major league team has relocated to a college facility. If you're trying to understand what this means for the team, where games are played, what the fan experience looks like, or how this arrangement compares to traditional NHL arenas, this guide covers the essentials.

What Is Mullett Arena and Where Is It Located? 🏒

Mullett Arena is a college ice hockey facility located on the campus of Arizona State University (ASU) in Tempe, Arizona. Built and opened in 1974, the arena was originally designed to serve ASU's Division I hockey program and has hosted college games for decades.

The Coyotes began playing their home games at Mullett Arena starting in the 2022–23 season, after more than two decades of playing at Gila River Arena (formerly Westgate Arena) in Glendale, Arizona. This transition occurred amid a complex and drawn-out dispute over arena development and funding in the Phoenix metropolitan area.

Mullett Arena is located on the ASU campus in central Tempe, which places it much closer to downtown Phoenix than the team's previous Glendale location—a shift that affects travel time, parking, and accessibility for fans depending on where they live in the greater Phoenix area.

Capacity and Arena Specifications

Mullett Arena was renovated and upgraded to accommodate NHL play. The facility now has a seating capacity of approximately 5,000 seats, which is significantly smaller than most NHL arenas.

For context, typical NHL arenas range from roughly 17,000 to 20,000+ seats. This dramatic size difference shapes nearly every aspect of the fan experience and the business model:

• More intimate viewing: Fewer seats means every ticket holder is closer to the ice and action
• Limited ticket availability: With a fraction of the seats compared to traditional arenas, games tend to sell out or near capacity more frequently
• Different revenue structure: Lower overall seating capacity affects team revenue from ticket sales, concessions, and suite leases

The arena underwent facility upgrades to meet NHL standards, including improvements to locker rooms, broadcast facilities, and amenities, though the fundamental footprint and age of the building remain unchanged.

What the Fan Experience Is Like

Because Mullett Arena is a college facility retrofitted for professional use, the experience differs notably from a new-build or recently renovated NHL arena.

Advantages of the smaller venue:

• Closer proximity to the action: Most seats offer unobstructed or near-unobstructed views of the ice
• Faster entry and exit: Smaller arenas move crowds more efficiently
• Unique atmosphere: College hockey atmospheres tend to be louder, more casual, and community-oriented than some larger professional venues
• ASU campus location: Proximity to a university brings student traffic and a different demographic mix

Trade-offs to consider:

• Limited amenities: A 1974-built college facility cannot match the modern features of newer NHL arenas—wider concourses, premium club spaces, cutting-edge technology, or extensive dining options
• Parking: Campus parking can be limited and may require navigation of university lot systems
• Weather: Arizona's heat means outdoor parking and entry areas can be uncomfortably hot during early season games
• Expansion constraints: With finite space, the arena cannot easily grow to accommodate larger crowds or additional premium seating

The Broader Context: Why the Coyotes Moved

Understanding the reasoning behind the move helps frame what this arrangement means long-term.

The Coyotes had played at Gila River Arena in Glendale (about 20 miles west of downtown Phoenix) since 1999. For years, the organization pursued plans to build a new, purpose-built NHL arena in a more central location. Those efforts faced repeated setbacks—including failed ballot measures, negotiations that fell through, and disputes over public funding.

By 2022, facing uncertainty about securing a permanent new venue and pressure to continue operations, the team reached an agreement with ASU to use Mullett Arena as a temporary home. The arrangement was framed as a short-to-medium-term solution while longer-term arena development plans are pursued.

This context matters: the Coyotes' situation at Mullett is not presented as a permanent or ideal arrangement, but rather a practical interim solution. Any fan or stakeholder considering the team's future should understand that the organization continues exploring options for a larger, more traditional NHL arena.

How This Compares to Other NHL Arenas

The most relevant comparison is to temporary or interim NHL arrangements—such as when teams have relocated and played in smaller or alternative venues while permanent homes were constructed. Mullett Arena is functionally similar to those situations, though the college setting is unusual.

Ticketing and Availability Considerations

With only ~5,000 seats, ticket availability for Coyotes games operates under different constraints than traditional NHL venues:

• Higher frequency of sellouts or near-capacity crowds: Popular games (especially matchups against Original Six or Pacific Division rivals) may sell out quickly
• Limited secondary market: Smaller capacity can mean less availability on resale platforms on game day
• Different pricing dynamics: Some games may command higher prices due to scarcity; less popular games may offer better value
• Season ticket holders: The limited seat count means the season ticket holder base is proportionally larger, reducing walk-up availability

For anyone planning to attend games, this means advance planning—rather than assuming tickets will be available day-of—is generally advisable.

The Legal and Operational Reality

The Coyotes' operation at Mullett Arena involves an agreement between the team, ASU, and the university's hockey program. The arrangement requires careful coordination:

• Game scheduling: ASU hockey games must be scheduled around Coyotes games
• Facility maintenance: The building must meet both college and professional standards
• Revenue sharing: Terms of the agreement affect how revenue is divided between the university and the team
• Term limits: The agreement specifies how long the arrangement will continue, contingent on the team's ability to secure permanent facilities

These operational realities mean the arrangement, while functional, exists within specific boundaries and timelines.

What This Means if You're Considering the Coyotes as a Fan

If you're deciding whether to follow the Coyotes or attend games at Mullett Arena, here are the key factors your decision depends on:

• Your location in the Phoenix metro area: Tempe is closer to downtown Phoenix than Glendale; proximity matters for convenience
• Venue preferences: Do you prefer intimate, college-style atmospheres or modern, full-service arenas?
• Team loyalty: Does the team's future uncertainty affect your willingness to invest in season tickets or merchandise?
• Budget considerations: Smaller capacity can mean higher prices for popular games
• Long-term outlook: Are you comfortable with the interim nature of the arrangement, or do you want clarity on permanent venues before investing heavily?

The Coyotes at Mullett Arena represent a real, functioning professional hockey team—but in an unconventional setting with specific trade-offs. Whether that works for you depends entirely on your circumstances and what matters most in your sports experience.