Mullett Arena - Arizona State Sun Devils
- Richard Smith
- Nov 13
- 6 min read
Updated: Nov 14
Photos by Richard Smith, Stadium Journey
Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.00
Mullett Arena
411 S Packard Drive
Tempe, AZ 85281
Year Opened: 2022 Capacity: 5,000
A Desert Hockey Home
Arizona State University, established in 1885 in the bustling desert oasis of Tempe, Arizona, has evolved from its humble beginnings as the Territorial Normal School into one of the nation’s largest and most innovative public research institutions.
The Sun Devils compete in NCAA Division I, primarily as members of the Pac-12 Conference, but their burgeoning Ice Hockey program has blazed its own trail, carving out a respected niche in the sport. Stepping into this new era is the state-of-the-art Mullett Arena, which opened its doors in 2022. This venue is a game-changer, not just for ASU hockey but for the entire college hockey landscape in the Southwest.
Designed with an intimate, modern sensibility, the 5,000-seat arena ensures every fan feels right on top of the action. It is a stunning, singular venue that immediately anchors the future of hockey in the Grand Canyon State, solidifying the team’s commitment to competing at the highest level while also serving as a central part of the campus's athletic architecture.
The Arizona State Sun Devils men's ice hockey team is a member of the National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC), having officially joined for the 2024-2025 season after competing as an NCAA Division I independent for several years.
The National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC) includes the following schools, besides Arizona State University, Colorado College (Tigers), the University of Denver (Pioneers). Miami University (RedHawks), University of Minnesota Duluth (Bulldogs), University of Nebraska Omaha (Mavericks), University of North Dakota (Fighting Hawks), St. Cloud State University (Huskies), and Western Michigan University (Broncos). The conference is scheduled to expand to 10 teams with the addition of the University of St. Thomas (Tommies) beginning in the 2026-2027 season.
Food & Beverage 4
The prices here trend toward the higher end of the college venue scale, yet there is a standout item that offers a surprisingly great value proposition. For the visiting fan, a slice of the arena's pizza stands as a must-try. This isn't your typical paper-thin piece; the $14 slice of pizza is truly enormous, essentially constituting multiple standard servings merged into one colossal meal. It’s a satisfying, hearty reward for the price, providing enough fuel to last through all three periods of action.
Beyond this singular value star, the concession stands deliver the necessary variety of gameday staples, ensuring you never have to venture too far from the ice to grab a classic snack or beverage. The selection is modern and efficient, built to handle a quick rush between periods without sacrificing quality, providing a streamlined experience that enhances the overall gameday flow.
Atmosphere 5
The moment the puck drops at a Sun Devils hockey game inside Mullett Arena, the atmosphere is electric, embodying the kind of intense, localized energy that only a 5,000-seat building can generate.
The arena's modern, tight design works in perfect concert with the crowd's enthusiasm, trapping the sound and creating a deafening, unified roar that is genuinely intimidating for visiting teams. This intimate, bowl-like configuration, you are never more than a handful of rows away from the action, enhancing the sensory immersion.
What elevates this college hockey experience further is the venue’s fascinating past: it also served as the temporary home for the NHL’s Arizona Coyotes from 2022-2024, imbuing it with a distinct professional polish that few college barns can claim. This combined pedigree of top-tier professional use and passionate student support for the college program creates a unique, high-octane environment you simply cannot replicate anywhere else in the Southwest.
Neighborhood 4
The location of Mullett Arena is a major win for the traveling enthusiast, placing the venue right in the heart of the ASU campus, adjacent to the dynamic city of Tempe. This is a university town setting that is ripe for exploration before and after the game.
Step out of the arena, and you are immediately positioned to explore Tempe's bustling Mill Avenue, a lively hub of restaurants, bars, and unique shops that caters perfectly to a gameday crowd. For those seeking authentic local flavors not found inside the arena, the surrounding area offers a vibrant tapestry of casual and upscale dining experiences that capture the Southwestern spirit.
The arena is integrated into the larger ASU Athletics Village, next to the Desert Financial Arena, which provides a seamless, sports-centric district feel. This strategic placement makes the entire gameday pilgrimage easy, allowing visitors to park once and enjoy both the natural beauty of the Arizona landscape and the vibrant life of a major university town, all within an easy walk of the arena.
Fans 5
Sun Devil fans bring a tangible passion to Mullett Arena, demonstrating why the program has become such a rapid success in a non-traditional hockey market. The crowds are a perfect blend of die-hard hockey aficionados and an energetic student body, all unified under the banner of the maroon and gold. They are vocal, knowledgeable, and ready to make noise for sixty minutes, turning the intimate confines of the arena into a formidable fortress.
You will see dedicated supporters in the stands wearing everything from replica jerseys to the classic gold pitchfork, ready to unleash the famous "Fork 'em Devils!" cheer.
This loyalty is clearly driven by the team’s rapid ascent in the college hockey ranks, giving the fans a real sense of pride and ownership over their program and making them incredibly invested in the outcome of every single game. The intensity and engagement of the Arizona State faithful is infectious, making you feel like a welcomed part of the Sun Devil community the moment you take your seat and adding a palpable sense of urgency to the competition.
Access 4
Getting to Mullett Arena is refreshingly simple for a major metropolitan area, making the travel day much less stressful for the visiting fan. The arena is strategically positioned in Tempe with excellent connectivity to major interstate highways, particularly the Loop 202 and I-10, providing straightforward routes for those driving in from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) or other parts of the Valley.
Once near the campus, parking is typically available in multiple adjacent university lots and structures, which are well-managed for gamedays.
The layout of the arena itself is highly conducive to smooth entry and exit, further aided by its integration into the greater ASU Athletics Village.
For those who prefer public transport, the Valley Metro Rail system offers stations nearby, providing a convenient, cost-effective, and traffic-free way to reach the heart of the action without having to worry about traffic or parking logistics.
Regardless of your chosen mode of transportation, the arena’s location emphasizes accessibility, proving that thoughtful design can make a massive difference in the gameday experience.
Return on Investment 3
Ticket prices vary depending on the opponent, and we have seen fairly high prices for most games. This is not the type of venue you can just walk up and get a last-minute ticket.
Extras 3
The ASU Spirit Squad and the powerful sounds of the Sun Devil Marching Band’s drumline are frequently on hand, injecting constant energy into the stoppages of play and enhancing the sense of school pride.
The true star of the show is the legendary mascot, Sparky the Sun Devil. This beloved figure is a constant, visible source of fun and school spirit, and his dedication to the team is quantified with a unique fan interaction: Sparky performs push-ups for every ASU goal scored, matching the total number of goals to date for that game, leading to some truly memorable displays.
Adding to the venue's distinctive identity is the Mountain America Community Iceplex, a separate rink attached to the facility that is used for practice and community skating, highlighting the venue’s commitment to growing the sport in the region and ensuring its legacy extends beyond the team itself.
Final Thoughts
Mullett Arena is the rare venue that manages to feel both state-of-the-art and incredibly intimate, perfectly balancing a modern aesthetic with old-school college hockey passion. It is an essential pilgrimage for any NCAA hockey fan traveling through the desert, proving that the sport is truly thriving under the Arizona sun.
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