The Madhouse on McDowell will once again come alive in hosting professional basketball. On Wednesday, Phoenix Mercury announced that their 2020 season home games will be on a new court. While Talking Stick Resort Arena undergoes an estimated $235 million renovation that could last into 2021, the team will play all home games at Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum.
The arena has served as a multi-use event center since hosting the NBA’s Phoenix Suns home from 1968-92. Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum broke ground in 1964 and has seen the action of hosted ice hockey, indoor soccer, and basketball teams. The last professional basketball game to be played at the Coliseum was in May of 1992 when the Phoenix Suns took on the Portland Trail Blazers in the NBA playoffs.
Prior to the start of the Mercury season, the Coliseum plans to make upgrades to the seating, an HD videoboard, and improve lighting.
The deal to refurbish Talking Stick Resort Arena was passed on Jan. 23 by the Phoenix City Council. The Suns will cover $80 million of the total renovation costs, plus any overages. The remaining $150 million will fall on the city. The plan for the remaining portion of the funding will come from the city’s Sports Facilities Fund, which is made up of tourism taxes from local hotels and rental cars.
This deal with the city of Phoenix also secures the Suns playing in downtown Phoenix until 2037.
In addition to arena renovations, both the Suns and the Mercury teams have plans to move to a new practice facility. Their new training facility location will be located at Camelback Road and 44th Street in Phoenix. Plans are underway for the facility to break ground by the end of this summer.
The new practice facility is privately-financed and is outfitted with the latest innovations in sports science and player development. The new facility includes two courts that will be used by both the Suns and the Mercury, health and training amenities and offices.
Click here for information on the Phoenix Mercury 2020 season tickets.
