NHL Team With Smallest Arena Sees 50% Season-Ticket Revenue Spike

The Arizona Coyotes rolled the dice on making a new home at Arizona State University’s Mullett Arena — and so far, it’s paying off.

The team has already generated 50% more season-ticket revenue for the upcoming season than it “ever did” at Glendale’s Gila River Arena — where the Coyotes played until the city announced it would not renew the team’s lease when it expired on June 30. 

The Coyotes reportedly had $1.3 million in unpaid taxes and arena charges, but have since paid them.

Mullett Arena — tiny in size compared to other NHL venues — will be the Coyotes’ home for at least the next three seasons. 

• The arena has a capacity of 5,025, but the Coyotes are expected to be held to a slightly smaller number of attendees.
• Gila River Arena held 17,125.

At Mullett Arena, the average ticket price is $170 — nearly double the $90 average at Gila River Arena and more than the NHL’s average of $154. Tickets for the student section, which will have around 400 seats, will be roughly $25 to $50.

Home Ahead

In June, the Tempe City Council voted to move forward with discussions on a $1.7 billion project that includes a new arena and entertainment district.

It would reportedly be the first privately funded sports and entertainment district in Arizona’s history.