GCU Softball Stadium - Grand Canyon University Antelopes
- Meg Minard
- 2 hours ago
- 5 min read
Photos by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey
Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29
GCU Softball Stadium 3300 W Camelback Road
Phoenix, AZ 85017
Year Opened: 2018 Capacity: 1,200
Lopes Up!
Grand Canyon University founded its softball program in 2004 at the Div II level. Like the other Grand Canyon University athletic teams, they moved to the Div I level in 2014 as members of the Western Athletic Conference (WAC). The 2022 – 2025 seasons saw them reach the NCAA Regionals and win the Conference regular season and conference tournament championships three of those four.
The 2026 season sees them in the Mountain West Conference, continuing their winning nature, earning their first national ranking in the Top 25.
The Antelopes play their home games at the comfortable GCU Softball Stadium on the GCU Campus in Central Phoenix, diagonally across from Brazell Field (Antelopes' baseball), and next to the GCU Track and Field.
You'll be sure to see an excellently played game at a good-looking stadium when visiting this park and team.
Food & Beverage 3
A small concession stand beneath the grandstand offers basic concessions at reasonable prices. Pizza, nachos, bratwurst, and hot dogs run $3 - $4.50 while Thunder nachos cost $8.50. Snacks offered include candy, pretzels, popcorn, peanuts, and a big purple churro, priced between $3.50 and $6. Sodas, water, and Gatorade will set you back $3 - $5. This facility does not serve alcoholic beverages.
I saw one or two picnic tables on the outer concourse, but most fans bring their food to their seats.
Atmosphere 3
GCU Stadium is a good-looking stadium. The grandstand behind home plate has comfortably wide, purple seats under a slotted canopy. Metal bleachers with backs and the same canopy cover are above each dugout. The stadium seats 1,200, so it's a good size. Wheelchair seating is in the first row of the grandstand section, and all seating areas have banisters. The press box rests above the purple seats.
A medium-thickness net hangs across all the seating for safety, but it does distort the viewing of the game action.
Left field houses a good-sized video board that displays the line score, the team at bat's lineups, and the player at bat's photo and stats. A traditional dot matrix board is in center field.
The music and the announcer are loud, but fortunately, music is only played pregame, between innings, and for ‘Lopes walk-ups. Between-inning entertainment includes trivia, dancing, and the YMCA, etc. Similar to all athletic events at Grand Canyon University, a short prayer is said before the start of the game.
Game day staff do not hand out lineups and rosters. Instead, the announcer directs fans to Instagram for that information. The scoreboard lists the lineups. The announcer asks fans to return and foul balls to the concession stand.
Neighborhood 3
Fans can find a few places to eat close by, but our recommendation is to head downtown or elsewhere for a pre or post-game meal or drink.
Several fast food restaurants like Qdoba, Chick-fil-A, Pita Jungle, and Subway are within walking distance. The Great Wall Cuisine (Mexican) and Angie & Jimmies Italian Pizza are next door. A Habit Burger Grill is at the Student Union.
Downtown Phoenix, just seven miles away, has a vast variety of eating establishments. Some recommendations are Pizzeria Bianco (Italian), Breakfast Club, and Angels Trumpet Ale House (gastropub). The SunUp Brewing and the Huss Brewing Taphouse are within a few miles of the ballpark.
Hotels are not close to the stadium. We recommend driving four or five miles to mid-town where a Tru by Hilton Midtown or a Hampton Inn are affordable places to stay.
Other sports to see in the springtime nearby are GCU basketball (men's), GCU basketball (women's), GCU baseball, and several of the Cactus League spring training ballparks, like American Family Fields (Brewers) or Peoria Sports Complex (Mariners and Padres). The Arizona Diamondbacks – Chase Field (MLB) is seven – eight miles southeast.
For golfers, the GCU golf course is nearby.
Fans 3
The GCU Lopes softball fans show strong support for the team. While attendance numbers can be 300 or 400 hundred, it can reach over 1,000 at some games. A pleasant surprise is how many seem to pay attention to the game rather than on their phones. It’s a social gathering as fans know one another and chat throughout the seven innings. They groan about perceived miss called balls and strikes against the Lopes, yet they applaud good plays made by both teams.
Access 4
Getting to the ballpark is relatively easy, as it is a mile west of I-17 on Camelback Road and just a couple of exits north of the I-10/I-17 interchange. Several buses stop at Grand Canyon University. Check Valley Metro for fares, schedules, and routes. Sky Harbor International Airport is 12 – 13 miles from the field.
A five-story garage (Halo Parking Garage) is right next door on 35th Ave and is free of charge. Stop at the security booth and just let them know you’re attending the game. They'll direct you to the parking garage. Walk past the track and field from the parking garage to get to the softball stadium.
Ticket booth tents are on each side of the entrance to the complex. The stadium’s policy requires clear bags for entry. A wide, open plaza greets fans after entry and before visiting the concession stand, clean restrooms, or the seating bowl. Both ramps and stairs take you to the seats; only stairs to the bleacher area.
Return on Investment 5
The softball games are $5 ($15 for tournaments). Our recommendation is to order the tickets online (there’s no service fee) as only one of the entrances at the stadium accept cash. Seating is general admission. You must walk all the way around the track to get to the other one and you must have cash. Refreshments are priced reasonably and parking is free. Seeing a well-played softball game at a nice facility is well worth your sports entertainment value.
Extras 2
Plaza poles display banners highlighting the program’s conference championships and its recent run of four straight NCAA tournament appearances.
The team operates a small, but chocked-full merchandise stand along the first base plaza.
Final Thoughts
The GCU Antelopes should be proud of their achievements, advancing from DII to DI, reaching the NCAA Tournament four times, and most recently being named one of the top 25 programs. With its spacious, inviting layout, this stadium is well worth a spring afternoon or evening out in central Phoenix.
Comments