Phoenix Suns 2010-11 Media Guide - NBA Media Central

U .S U Airways
.S Airways
Center
From its planning inception in 1988 and eventual opening in June of 1992, US Airways Center (formerly
America West Arena, as of January 6, 2006) was the benchmark for other cities and other sports facilities.
Its design boasted innovations that had not been seen in arenas of its day including multi-story suite
levels, attached premium parking facilities, and integrated team practice facility. Both public and private
critics saw US Airways Center as a catalytic project capable of stimulating urban growth.
In its first full year of operation, the arena received every award a new venue of its kind was afforded,
including Best New Concert Venue by Performance Magazine and Best NBA Facility by acclaim of those who
know best, the players themselves.
Through the course of the 90’s, new facilities around the country followed the example of US Airways
Center and new projects sprung up in nearly all the major western state metropolitan areas: Denver,
Portland, Seattle, Salt Lake City and in 1999, Los Angeles and Dallas with dramatic new STAPLES Center
and American Airlines Center. Technology changed, entertainment options proliferated and the city’s
emerging new downtown continued to evolve in positive ways.
The US Airways Center completed a major $70 million expansion and improvement project in 2004. Gone
is the block exterior, replaced with soaring glass walls. The outdoor ticket office is now enclosed inside
the new 14,000 square foot Casino Arizona Pavilion, serving as a grand entrance highlighted by a 12 x 20
foot video wall. On the east side, the Bud Light Paseo is a flexible outdoor entertainment venue covered
by a football field-length canopy featuring state-of-the-art sound and video projection systems, as well
as the stylish Bud Light bar area and facilities that double as television studio facilities for Suns telecasts
and a performance stage for music events. Other improvements include new technology installed in the
bowl including a 900-foot LED ribbon, a center-hung scoreboard with HDTV screens, a new sound system,
a new Courtside Club, Toyota Club and Verve Energy Lounge nightclub, and the APS Gorilla Greenhouse, a
7,000 square foot family friendly active home to the Phoenix Suns Gorilla. At street level the US Airways
Center now features a Starbucks, an expanded Team Shop and the Toyota Club.
Management: Sports and Entertainment Services
Parking: 900-space attached garage;
1,500-space garage next door
Suites: 87 luxury suites and six party
suites on two mid-level concourses
Accessible Seating: Available on all levels
Media Entrance: NE (located on Jefferson St.)
331
US Airways Center