The Arizona Board of Regents sanctioned ASU's proposed Capital Improvement Plan from 2027-2030, with over $130 million dedicated to adding a football practice facility and upgrading Desert Financial Arena.
The funding method for both projects is listed under "system revenue bonds," suggesting that revenue generated through ticket sales, concessions or other means of profit will be reinvested into the arenas.
The Board of Regents' highest priority is building a new football practice facility worth approximately $35 million that is "directly adjacent to Mountain America Stadium," according to the report from the Board of Regents' meeting on Sept. 11.
The new turf field will replace the Verde Dickey Dome, where the Sun Devils currently practice, and give them the ability to walk from practice right to the meeting and weight rooms in the stadium. The facility is also set to be used as a "Fan Zone" for future events.
ASU plans to begin the design process in March 2026 and finish construction by February 2028.
In the fiscal year 2027, the plan allotted $312 million for developing various buildings, classrooms and laboratories. Nearly a third of that budget has been placed into renovating Desert Financial Arena.
ASU intends to improve "the arena's existing life safety systems, concourse, concession stands and circulation experience, as well as upgrade the locker and restroom facilities", the Board of Regents filing said.
Design on the arena is expected to start in January 2026, with the target date for completion being December 2029.
Sun Devil Athletics Director Graham Rossini initially publicized the school's intention to enhance the stadium back in February 2025 during an appearance on Arizona Sports' Bickley & Marotta.
This isn't the first time the arena was on the verge of major changes. Back in 2018, ASU revealed a $160 million plan to update what was then the Wells Fargo Arena and an adjacent indoor sports complex for hockey, gymnastics and wrestling.
However, COVID-19 derailed that process, so ASU instead constructed the 5,000-seat multi-use Mullett Arena, which ASU hockey now calls home.
Since opening in 1974, Desert Financial Arena has undergone minor adjustments, such as the addition of a media room and upgraded locker rooms, but a significant renovation hasn't taken place in the last half-century.
This story is developing and may be updated.
Edited by Jack McCarthy, Henry Smardo and Pippa Fung.
Reach the reporter at pvallur2@asu.edu and follow @PrathamValluri on X.
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Pratham Valluri is a sports reporter at The State Press. He is a junior majoring in sports journalism with a business minor. He’s in his 5th semester with The State Press working previously as an opinion writer.
