Glendale's arena, formerly Gila River Arena
Desert Diamond Arena is the city-owned arena in Glendale's Westgate Entertainment District, about 12.5 miles northwest of downtown Phoenix and near State Farm Stadium. It holds about 19,000 for concerts and is home to the Arizona Rattlers of the Indoor Football League and the PBR's Arizona Ridge Riders team. It also books UFC, wrestling and family shows. For most concerts the best seats are the lower-level sideline sections around 101, 111, 112 and 122; the front rows of the 200 level are the value play.
The building has had four names. It opened as Glendale Arena in 2003, became Jobing.com Arena in 2006 and Gila River Arena in 2014, and took the Desert Diamond Arena name after an agreement with Desert Diamond Casino on August 23, 2022. Many fans still call it Gila River Arena, and seating charts under any of the old names match today's layout.
How the seating is laid out
Section ranges below come from the RateYourSeats section directory; the center sections come from Ticketmaster's venue guide, written when the Coyotes still played here.
100 level: sections 101–122
The lower bowl wraps the floor in 22 sections. Sections 101 and 122 meet on one sideline and 111 and 112 on the other, so those four are the center sections for any event played lengthwise on the floor. The remaining sections run toward the ends and corners.
Club and suites
The arena has 3,075 club seats and 87 suites. Seating maps show club areas labeled Club 1 through Club 8 and suites numbered in the 1100s and 1200s.
200 level: sections 201–230
The upper level runs from 201 to 230. Its center sections sit above the 100-level center sections.
The floor
For concerts the floor is sold as lettered sections, Floor A through Floor J on many maps, or as general admission. For boxing and UFC it becomes ringside floor seating.
Best seats by event, and seats to avoid
End-stage concerts
The center of the floor, a few sections back from the stage, gives the straightest view and the best sound near the mixing desk. For a seat above the crowd, the 100-level sideline sections closest to the stage show the performers up close at an angle, while 100-level sections at the far end face the stage straight on and take in the whole production. The front rows of the 200 level directly opposite the stage are the best value.
UFC and boxing
The cage or ring sits in the middle of the floor, so every side is a front. Elevated rows of the 100 level look down into the cage better than the back of the floor does, where heads block the view.
Rattlers indoor football
Indoor football uses a short field, so the sideline sections at the 50, around 101, 111, 112 and 122, see both end zones well. Rows several up from the boards see over the netting and players on the sideline.
Seats to avoid
- Sections beside or behind an end stage: obstructed or no view of the stage and screens.
- Top rows of the 200-level corners: the farthest seats from any stage.
- Back rows of a flat GA or reserved floor: no rake, so you watch the screens.
Capacity by configuration
Desert Diamond Arena's capacity depends on the setup:
- Concerts: about 19,000
- Basketball: 18,300
- Hockey: 17,125
The biggest crowds in its history came for hockey and fight nights: the Coyotes' first game drew a standing-room crowd of 19,052 in December 2003, and UFC 263 in June 2021 drew 17,208, the highest-grossing event in the building's history.
Parking and getting to Westgate
As of 2026, arena parking is in Lots G, J, L, Yellow, the garage and VIP lots, depending on the event, and lots open one hour before doors. You can prepay through ParkWhiz on the event page, which holds a space close to the arena until 30 minutes after the start. Parking is cashless: cards only. Accessible spaces are in Lots G and J and the garage, first come, first served with a valid placard. Overnight parking and camping are not allowed.
For rideshare, set the destination to Desert Diamond Arena; drop-off and pickup are near the AMC Westgate theater, a short walk from Gate 4, the main entrance. The arena sits east of Loop 101 on Maryland Avenue, so expect the freeway ramps to back up after a sellout, especially if State Farm Stadium has an event the same night. Westgate's restaurants and bars, such as Bar Louie, give you a place to wait out the traffic.
Bag policy and entry rules
As of 2026, bags may be no larger than 12 by 12 by 6 inches, whatever their type, color or transparency. Check the arena's A–Z guide for the current rules before you go.
- Re-entry: not allowed during any event; guest services can help with emergencies.
- Cashless: no cash anywhere in the building; cards and contactless payments only.
- Strollers: allowed only through entry, then checked at the section 115 guest services booth.
- Smoking: not permitted indoors.
- Accessibility: accessible seating is on every level, and section 106 has a sensory room.
From Coyotes hockey to a concert arena
The Phoenix Coyotes outgrew a downtown arena built for basketball, where some upper seats hung over the rink. Construction on a new arena in Glendale began on April 3, 2002, at a cost of about 220 million dollars, and it opened midway through the 2003–04 season; the NLL's Arizona Sting played the first game on December 26, 2003, and the Coyotes debuted the next night. The Coyotes stayed until 2022, when the city declined to renew their lease; their last game here was on April 29, 2022.
Concerts have been a constant since the first season, when Prince, Rod Stewart and Britney Spears played here, and since the Coyotes left the arena has relied on them along with events such as the AIA's February Frenzy high school tournaments and AEW's Double or Nothing in May 2025. The Rattlers moved in permanently in 2024. The Wikipedia entry covers the full history.
Frequently asked questions
Is Desert Diamond Arena the same as Gila River Arena?
Yes. The arena was Glendale Arena from 2003, Jobing.com Arena from 2006 and Gila River Arena from 2014, and it became Desert Diamond Arena in August 2022.
What is Desert Diamond Arena's capacity?
About 19,000 for concerts, 18,300 for basketball and 17,125 for hockey.
What is the Desert Diamond Arena bag policy?
As of 2026, no bag may exceed 12 by 12 by 6 inches, regardless of type or whether it is clear. Check the arena's current policy before you go.
Where do you park for Desert Diamond Arena?
In the arena's Westgate lots and garage, which open one hour before doors. Prepaid parking is sold through ParkWhiz, and all lots are cashless.
Do the Coyotes still play at Desert Diamond Arena?
No. The Coyotes left after the 2021–22 season. The arena's main tenants are now the Arizona Rattlers and the PBR's Arizona Ridge Riders, alongside concerts and events.
Can you leave Desert Diamond Arena and come back in?
No. The arena has a no re-entry policy for all events.