Whether you are a participant or spectator, the Valley of the Sun offers a tremendous variety of activities. With year-round mild temperatures, the outdoors has become a way of life.
Baseball
Major League Baseball became a reality with the Arizona Diamondbacks which began play in 1998 in the downtown Bank One Park (newly named Chase Field) and won The World Series in the fall of 2001 and the National League West Pennant in 2007. 602/514-8400
Springtime brings several teams for the Cactus League baseball training season. See chart below:
Basketball
The US Airways Center in downtown Phoenix is the Home of the Phoenix Suns' NBA team. 602/379-7867. Part of the new WNBA, the Phoenix Mercury play from the end of June through August. 602/252-9622.
Arizona State University's Sun Devils basketball team is a member of the Pacific 10 Conference. 480/955-3482.
Football
The NFL Arizona Cardinals began the 2006 football season in their new home, the 67,000 seat University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. The stadium is located at Loop 101 and Glendale Ave. 602/379-0101.
In early 2007, the Fiesta Bowl, one of the five largest college bowl games in the country was played at the Glendale Stadium, as will all future Fiesta Bowl games. The new stadium also hosted the BCS Championship Bowl Game in early 2007 for the rights to be the number one rated college team in the nation for the year 2006. The University of Phoenix stadium has also been chosen for the site of Super Bowl XLII in February, 2008.
The Arizona State University's Sun Devils football team and the Insight Bowl games are played at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe. 480/727-0000
The Arizona Rattlers - Arena Football team plays their home games at the US Airways Center - 201 E. Jefferson St. in downtown Phoenix. 602/379-2333
Soccer
The Arizona Sahuaros play at the Brazell Field on the campus of Grand Canyon University from April to August. 623/516-2133.
Hockey
The Multi - purpose sports and entertainment center, Jobbing.com Arena, located at Loop 101 and Glendale Ave. is home to the national hockey league's Phoenix Coyotes.
480/563-7825.
Horse Racing
Thoroughbreds can be seen in action at Turf Paradise, one of the Southwest's premier racing facilities, during September through May. The clubhouse provides dining, and there also is a picnic area with a playground. 602/942-1101.
Greyhound Racing
Year-round racing can be enjoyed at the Phoenix Greyhound Park. This track has clubhouse dining and several lounges where spectators can relax. A glass-enclosed, temperature-controlled grandstand provides a great view of the action. 602/273-7181.
Auto Racing
The Phoenix International Raceway bristles with excitement during such events as the Indy Car Races and NASCAR Winston Cup. 623/463-5400.
Another race track is the Firebird International Raceway where National Hot Rod Association drag races take place. 602/268-0200.
Golf and Tennis
Scottsdale is the home of the FBR Open at the Tournament Players Club adjacent to the Scottsdale Princess Resort. This stadium course offers excellent viewing with a capacity for over 100,000 golf fans per day. 602/870-0163.
