ASU announced the full breadth of its $100 million renovation of Desert Financial Arena (DFA), revealing plans to install a new court, build loge boxes, add premium seating and upgrade the locker rooms, restrooms and air conditioning system.
DFA, home to Sun Devils men's and women's basketball, volleyball, gymnastics and wrestling, hasn't had a major overhaul in its 51-year history.
The Arizona Board of Regents originally sanctioned ASU's Capital Improvement Plan during their meeting on Sept. 11, which allocated a significant portion of the University's budget to enhancing numerous aspects of DFA. This new project still requires further approval from the board.
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The multiyear project has three phases and would begin in May 2026, with an expected completion date of December 2029.
"The majority of the work will take place during the months of April to October, ensuring the teams that use the arena will not have to play their games elsewhere," ASU Athletics Director Graham Rossini told ASU News.
Phase One in May 2026 will see the court get replaced and the renovation of 700 seats in the lower bowl, which will get padded seats with cupholders. ASU will also add 200 "premium" seats that have increased leg room and four "Hollywood" seats which will be built courtside.
Phase Two involves renovating existing restrooms and building two new bathrooms, as well as a new sound system, ASU Assistant Vice President and University Architect Joe Lisiewski told ASU News.
Above the lower bowl, ASU plans to build 120-person loge boxes featuring "amenities like television screens and small tables for food and drinks." On the bottom of the upper bowl, plans include "theater boxes" with wider seats.
These seating changes will decrease the stadium's current capacity of 14,198, but a new official number hasn't been finalized yet.
Concourses at the arena are also going to be transformed to highlight notable moments in the building's history, including the Eagles' performance of "Hotel California" in 1976 and NCAA Tournaments held at the venue
The final phase of ASU's proposal, anticipated to start in summer 2027, involves a "court-level club that will be accessible to premium ticket holders," improved concession stands, locker room upgrades and a video board over the court.
"The renovation of Desert Financial Arena is about more than updating a building — it's about creating a space that energizes our entire ASU community," Rossini told ASU News.
Edited by Alan Deutschendorf, Sophia Braccio and Ellis Preston.
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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.
