Desert Diamond Arena — Glendale, USA

Desert Diamond Arena is a multi-purpose indoor arena in Glendale, Arizona, on the western edge of the Phoenix metro area. It previously served as the home arena of the Arizona Coyotes of the NHL and has hosted concerts, family shows and combat sports events under its various names over the years.

With capacity of around 18,000 for arena configurations, it is one of the larger indoor venues in the Phoenix metro and a regular stop for touring promotions looking to bring an event to the Southwest.

For a fight night the floor is cleared for the cage. How the rest of the hall is divided that evening is set by the promoter, not by the building. The arena is enclosed and climate-controlled, so conditions inside are the same whatever the season outside.

Desert Diamond Arena stands in the Westgate Entertainment District, a shopping, dining and entertainment complex in Glendale, immediately next to State Farm Stadium, home of the Arizona Cardinals. Restaurants, bars and shops in Westgate sit within a short walk of the arena doors, which makes the district itself a natural gathering point before and after an event.

Glendale sits on the western side of the Phoenix metro area, a short drive from downtown Phoenix. Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport lies to the southeast, typically 30–40 minutes away by car depending on traffic.

Glendale and the wider Phoenix metro are built around the car, and Desert Diamond Arena is reached that way by nearly every visitor.

Transport options:

• By car — the arena sits just off Loop 101, the freeway that rings the western side of the Phoenix metro, with direct access from anywhere in the valley
• Parking — the Westgate district carries ample event-day parking within walking distance of the arena, with additional lots around State Farm Stadium used for larger events
• Taxi and ride-hailing — Uber and Lyft operate across the Phoenix metro, with designated pick-up areas around Westgate used after events

Traffic around the district builds in the hour before a major event, so allow extra time for the final approach and for security screening at the gates. Arriving well before the opening bouts leaves room to clear entry and find your section without rushing.

As a venue built for full-house events, Desert Diamond Arena carries the infrastructure expected of a major arena. The categories released for a given card are published on that event's page.

Food and drink outlets operate throughout the concourses during events, and card and contactless payment are accepted across the building. Restrooms and accessibility provision are distributed around the concourse; accessible entry and seating arrangements for a given event are confirmed by the organiser.

Security screening at entry follows standard US arena protocols, and a clear-bag policy with size limits is common at venues of this scale. Prohibited items usually include professional cameras, large bags, and outside food and drink. Exact entry rules for a specific date are published ahead of the event — check them before you travel.

A fight night at Desert Diamond Arena pairs easily with a stay right in Westgate, where hotels sit within walking distance of the doors, or with a base in downtown Phoenix or Scottsdale if you would rather trade the walk for a wider choice of dining and nightlife. Booking ahead is advised around a major event, when Westgate demand rises.

The wider Phoenix metro rewards a longer trip: Old Town Scottsdale, Camelback Mountain and the Desert Botanical Garden are all reachable within half an hour, and downtown Phoenix's museums and dining are a short drive away. The Phoenix area is hot through the summer months and mild the rest of the year, so plan outdoor time around the event's season.

Most international visitors need either an ESTA authorisation or a US visa depending on nationality — check the official US channels well before booking travel. Line up your visit with the UFC 2026 schedule, read how a fight night works on the about the UFC page, see other locations on the venue overview, or return to the homepage for ticket access.