Follow usIn a bid to secure a permanent home, the Arizona Coyotes revealed their plans to acquire land in Phoenix for the construction of a privately funded arena and entertainment district, as announced on Thursday night.
The success of the initiative hinges on the Coyotes winning an upcoming land auction for a 110-acre site scheduled by the Arizona State Land Department on June 27, with an appraised value of $68.5 million. While the Coyotes are currently the sole confirmed bidder, the possibility remains for other participants to emerge during the live auction in Phoenix.
Originally based in Winnipeg, the NHL franchise moved to Arizona in 1996 and initially played in Phoenix before relocating to Glendale in 2003. However, the team’s lease with Glendale was terminated after the 2021-22 season, prompting the search for a new venue.
Presently, the Coyotes are in their second season at the 5,000-seat Mullett Arena in Tempe, Arizona. Their previous attempt to build a $2.3 billion arena and entertainment district in Tempe faced defeat in a local election last year.
The upcoming land bid represents a crucial opportunity for the Coyotes to secure a permanent presence in the Phoenix area. According to Coyotes president and CEO Xavier A. Gutierrez, failure to secure the bid may force the franchise to consider relocation.
The proposed development includes a state-of-the-art 17,000-seat NHL arena, expandable for various events, alongside a 3,000-seat music theater, extensive retail and office spaces, luxury residential units, dining options, bars, a farmers’ market, and parking structures. Importantly, the entire project will be privately financed, with Coyotes owner Alex Meruelo shouldering the financial responsibility, without reliance on taxpayer funds—a key distinction emphasized by Gutierrez to dispel any misconceptions.
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