Global Credit Union Arena - Grand Canyon Antelopes (WVB)

Richard Smith
Nov 12
3 min read

Photos by Richard Smith, Stadium Journey

Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.86

GCU Arena 3300 W Camelback Rd Phoenix, AZ 85017

GCU Antelopes Volleyball website GCU Arena website

Year Opened: 2011 Capacity: 7,000

It's Canyon Time

Grand Canyon University is a large private Christian university located north of downtown Phoenix, AZ. 20,000 students attend the physical campus, with another 70,000 doing so online.

The university opened in 1949 and has been located in Phoenix since 1951.

Grand Canyon University has been controversial in that it has held a for-profit status for many years. The school is trying to shed that status, but so far, the federal government is not convinced. That for-profit status has made some other colleges unhappy about Grand Canyon playing NCAA basketball, although recently, much of that controversy has been cooling.

Grand Canyon University offers over 200 bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degree programs through its nine colleges.

Grand Canyon University is a member of the NCAA Division I, with most sports participating in the Mountain West Conference. The school's mascot is the Antelope.

One of the most famous alumni is comedian Bill Engvall, while businessman Jerry Colangelo is maybe the person most known as having a Grand Canyon affiliation.

The Global Credit Union Arena, most often referred to as the GCU Arena, was opened in 2011. Just over three years after opening, GCU Arena closed on March 3, 2014, to undergo a massive remodel that saw an addition of 2,000 more seats.

Food & Beverage 3

The arena has two concession stands for volleyball matches, offering a decent amount of food offerings at a very good value.

Pepsi is the cola brand of choice, and there is no alcohol sold.

Atmosphere 4

It is quite weird that a new arena went through a massive remodeling so soon after it opened, but the additions made a very good arena even better, as well as larger.

The new upper deck addition did create some weird things in the GCU Arena. The upper deck itself has some support straps that hang into view, but luckily, they don’t impede views much.

There is a band, cheerleaders, and a team mascot who liven the place up a bit. There are nice scoreboards and video boards around the venue to enhance the experience.

Neighborhood 3

Grand Canyon University is located in a very urban and sometimes rough neighborhood. There may not be too many local establishments that a sports fan will enjoy in the direct area, so it may be best to do those kinds of things away from the arena.

The university claims to have lowered crime rates in the area, as well as increased property prices. The university also does a good job of engaging and working with the local neighborhood to try to become a good neighbor.

You may want to look at options in downtown Phoenix for pre- or post-game options.

Fans 4

The crowds are not nearly as intense as for basketball games, but you will still see a pretty decent crowd that stays engaged and active throughout the match.

Access 4

The university is located north of downtown along 33rd Avenue. The access to the area is good, and the free parking at either the large garage off of 33rd Avenue or other nearby parking lots makes getting to a game fairly easy.

Security checks are outside of the arena itself and make it an easy way in to the venue.

Return on Investment 5

The Antelopes offer fairly cheap tickets, sometimes far under $20. With the decently priced concessions and the free parking, the return on investment here is strong.

Extras 4

The Jerry Colangelo Museum is located next to the arena and showcases items from the businessman’s life and career in and outside of basketball. Colangelo was a star basketball player at Illinois as well as being identified with the United States Olympic Team.

A vault of Bibles is buried underneath the center court.

The unique upper deck and related seating make for some interesting extras to see here at the GCU Arena.

There is a very good team store located at the entrance level of the arena.