Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix: Best Seats, Tips, and More

🔍 Need a custom plan for your Suns or Mercury gameday?
Use Gameday Guides Planning Tool for personalized tips on seating, food, parking, and transit at the Mortgage Matchup Center.

Best Seats at the Mortgage Matchup Center

The Mortgage Matchup Center (SO MANY NAME CHANGES) is located in downtown Phoenix and hosts the NBA’s Phoenix Suns and the WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury. The arena seats approximately 17,071 for basketball, with modern amenities and surprisingly solid sightlines across most sections. It’s a relatively intimate arena compared to other NBA venues, which means even upper-level seats feel reasonably close to the action.

Best Seats: LOWER BOWL SIDELINE, CENTER COURT (SECTIONS 101-109, 120-128): These are your prime positioning seats. You’re directly along the sideline in the middle of the court, watching plays develop in real time with zero sightline obstructions. The court view is genuinely unobstructed across the entire lower bowl at Mortgage Matchup Center, which isn’t guaranteed everywhere.

Center court sideline sections put you close enough to hear conversations, see body language, and understand the game’s rhythm. Rows 1-15 in these sections are the sweet spot—you’re elevated enough to see the entire court without strain, but still low enough that you feel genuinely in the action.

Real pricing: Courtside and premium lower bowl seats vary wildly by opponent. Average Suns tickets sit around $160-191. For weaker matchups (vs. Trail Blazers, Wizards, Raptors), you can find lower bowl seats in the $20-50 range. Big matchups (vs. Lakers, Celtics, Mavericks) push premium sideline into the $400-1,000+ territory. Remember this can change based on numerous circumstances so think of this as kind of a ballpark range.

What to expect: Full court view, bench-side energy, loud crowd, and you’re watching professional NBA basketball from an excellent vantage point.

Tradeoff: Premium pricing. If budget is tight, corner or upper sideline sections deliver surprisingly similar experiences at better value.

Best Value: LOWER BOWL CORNERS (SECTIONS 110-119, 129-140): Corner seating is genuinely underrated. You get excellent angles on plays developing, you see both baselines clearly, and the viewing experience is surprisingly intimate despite being off to the side.

The lower bowl across all sections at Mortgage Matchup Center has no obstructed views, so even the “worst” lower bowl seat is still a legitimate basketball-watching experience. Corners are just slightly removed from the absolute premium pricing of center sideline.

Real value: Expect to pay $15-100 depending on opponent, with regular season non-marquee games falling in the $15-40 range. You’re getting close-to-the-action views without the center-court premium.

What to expect: Still in the lower bowl, still excellent sightlines, great atmosphere, slightly different angle but honestly better for seeing the entire flow of the game.

Tradeoff: Off to the side rather than center court. But honestly, the sightlines are arguably better because you see more of the court at once.

Budget Upper Bowl: (SECTIONS 201 TO 220): Upper bowl sideline seats (200-level, center court) offer a full-court view at significantly reduced pricing. You’re elevated enough to see the entire floor clearly, transitions, and spacing—all the stuff that matters for understanding NBA basketball.

Mortgage Matchup Center’s upper bowl isn’t a typical “nosebleed” situation because the lower bowl doesn’t extend too far back. The steepness and design mean upper-level seats are still reasonably close to the action.

Real value: Upper bowl regularly prices in the $5-50 range depending on matchup. Thursday night games (statistically the cheapest day) often have upper sideline tickets available well under $20. I’ve done this before. It can be pretty good value depending on matchup.

What to expect: Full court view, decent proximity, ability to see the whole game without turning your head, and legitimately good basketball-watching from a distance.

Tradeoff: You’re farther away, which means player details are lost, but the overall game view is actually excellent.

Best Seats for Concerts

• Sections 217-219 & 202-205 – Amazing views & excellent acoustics.
• Concert Floor Seats (Sections A-C) – The closest experience, but loud—bring earplugs if needed!

The Mortgage Matchup Center has a well-spread seating layout, meaning there are very few bad seats in the house.

Mortgage Matchup Center Premium Seating

Before diving into the specific options, here’s the real difference: Suns and Mercury games have completely separate premium offerings because they operate under different business models. The Suns, as an NBA team with higher revenue and a roster of superstars, have robust club-level experiences with cushy seating, exclusive lounges, and top-tier food. The Mercury operate within WNBA economics, which means their premium offerings are more social and accessible—less “exclusive box” and more “elevated experience with real vibe.” Both are solid, just genuinely different in scope.

SUNS-SPECIFIC CLUBS

PHX Experience: Premium sideline seating with access to a secluded lounge, all-inclusive food and drinks (house beer, wine, soda), and genuine VIP treatment. These are legitimate premium seats with amenities, not just expensive regular seats.

1STBANK Terrace: Premium theater-box seating with outdoor terrace access, all-inclusive food and drinks, and excellent sideline views. These have an exclusive feel without being completely isolated from the atmosphere.

Hideaway Club: A hidden gem on the third level—general admission standing room only with access to an unlimited buffet (including hot dog bar) and unlimited house beer, wine, and soda. If you’re looking for premium amenities without the stuffy seating-in-a-box feel, this is genuinely clever.

Dos Equis Beer Garden: Outdoor patio with firepit, multiple TVs, and food. For cooler Phoenix evenings, this is a legitimately social experience. SixthMan and X-Factor members get prime sideline seats and unlimited Dos Equis and food.

Real pricing: Club-level pricing depends on opponent and date, but expect $300-800+ per seat for premium clubs on regular season games. Big matchups push significantly higher.

Mercury Premium Seating

The Mercury play in the same arena, so most seating guidance carries over. However, the WNBA has its own unique premium option that reflects a different vibe than the Suns:

Party Deck: A semi-private space on the suite level exclusive to Mercury games, with 12-102 seat capacity depending on configuration. Sideline views, complimentary access to the Chef’s Buffet, house beer, wine, and soda. This is like a suite vibe without full privacy—genuinely social premium experience. It’s less about isolating yourself from the crowd and more about having a nice space to enjoy the game with your group while still being part of the energy.

Otherwise, lower bowl sideline, corners, and upper sideline apply the same way. WNBA ticket pricing is significantly more accessible than NBA, so expect lower bowl seating to be more affordable across the board.

Suites

Private suite rentals at Mortgage Matchup Center average $4,500 for Phoenix Suns games, with premium matchups reaching up to $15,000. Smaller events and less popular concerts start at $2,000.

Suites accommodate 12-20 guests in standard configurations, with larger spaces available for 80+ person groups. In-suite catering is not included in the purchase price but is available for additional cost, and smaller suites go underused (43% see underuse), making them available for resale.

What’s included: Climate-controlled private space, base tickets with options to add more, in-suite TV monitors, private restrooms, dedicated VIP entrance, and catering availability.

Best for: Corporate entertaining, large groups, people who want complete privacy and control over their experience.

Phoenix Suns and Mercury Tickets

Get Your Phoenix Suns Tickets Here – Vivid Seats offers Suns, Cardinals, Diamondbacks, ASU, and other Arizona sports tickets.

• Official Team Website – Purchase directly from the Phoenix Suns’ website for verified tickets.
• NBA Ticket Exchange – The NBA’s official ticket resale platform ensures safe transactions.
• Box Office – Buy in person at the Mortgage Matchup Center Box Office to avoid online fees.
• Season Tickets – Consider season ticket packages for access to all home games and exclusive perks.
• Group Tickets – The Suns offer discounts for large groups.
• Resale Markets – Stick to trusted platforms to avoid counterfeit tickets.

Pro Tip: Sign up for ticket alerts to get notified when seats become available!

Mortgage Matchup Center Seating Chart

Mortgage Matchup Center, formerly known as the Phoenix Suns Arena and Talking Stick Resort Arena, has a basketball seating capacity of 18,422, and a little more for events. Here is an updated Mortgage Matchup Arena Seating Chart.

Upcoming Events

The arena stays busy most of the year with Suns games, events, concerts, and on and on. Here is a list of upcoming games at events coming to the Mortgage Matchup Center.

Mortgage Matchup Center Insider Tips

Mortgage Matchup Center is in downtown Phoenix, which means your experience extends way beyond just the arena. Parking is annoying, but genuinely avoidable if you know the moves. The Suns are legitimately competitive this year, which makes getting good seats a timing game. And Phoenix itself has genuine food and culture worth exploring before or after the game—don’t just show up 15 minutes before tipoff and call it done.

PARKING & TRANSPORTATION

Parking is available at the Jefferson Street Garage or Mortgage Matchup Center Garage and should be preordered. Limited surface lots exist nearby, and rideshare pickup is available on Jefferson Street.

Real talk: Downtown Phoenix parking is expensive and limited. Rideshare (Uber/Lyft) from your hotel is genuinely often cheaper than parking and avoiding post-game traffic entirely. You can be dropped right at the arena doors.

USE THE LIGHT RAIL

The Mortgage Matchup Center is close to a Valley Metro Light Rail station, which means you can stay slightly farther out and avoid parking entirely. Hotels near light rail stops are often cheaper while still offering easy arena access.

BEST PRICING STRATEGY

Phoenix Suns tickets start from $5 on the resale market, with average prices around $160-191 depending on opponent and date.

Thursday is statistically the cheapest day to attend, and November is the cheapest month. Target weeknight games against non-marquee opponents for 50-70% savings compared to weekend games against rivals or contenders.

Best value matchups include games against Trail Blazers, Wizards, and Raptors. Avoid Lakers, Celtics, Mavericks, and Warriors if budget matters—these push premium pricing significantly higher.

GAME DAY BASICS

Doors open: Approximately 90 minutes before tipoff for general public, with courtside/premium entrances opening about 2 hours early. Confirm exact timing on your game’s event page.

Bag policy: Backpacks, coolers, and large bags are not permitted. Single-compartment drawstring bags, small purses, and soft-side bags under 14″x14″x6″ are permitted after inspection.

Outside food: Outside food is typically permitted, but cans, glass bottles, thermoses, and alcoholic beverages are not.

Cameras & equipment: Camera equipment, laptops, flashlights, drones, and laser pointers are typically not permitted.

NEARBY EATS & ATTRACTIONS

Nearby dining includes The Arrogant Butcher and Copper Blues at CityScape, Pizzeria Bianco at Heritage Square, and Bitter & Twisted Cocktail Parlour. The Arizona Science Center is also nearby for pre-game exploration. (see below for full list)

If you’ve got time before tipoff, downtown Phoenix has genuinely good food and bar culture. Don’t just arrive 15 minutes before—explore a bit and soak in the Phoenix basketball vibe.

Mortgate Matchup Center QUIRKS

The arena is relatively modern and well-maintained. The lower bowl design is steep and close, making even upper-level seats feel engaged. The concourse has solid food options beyond typical arena fare. And the courtside proximity means if you sit down low, you’re genuinely close to NBA-level basketball.

Hotels Near Mortgage Matchup Center

Downtown Phoenix has genuinely solid hotel options within walking distance of Mortgage Matchup Center. The arena’s central location means you’re not isolated in some hotel zone—you’re actually in the middle of things, with restaurants, bars, and the downtown vibe accessible on foot. Pick the right spot and your whole experience changes.

CLOSEST TO THE ARENA (LITERALLY WALKING DISTANCE)

Kimpton Hotel Palomar Phoenix — This is it. Literally kitty-corner to the arena, part of the CityScape complex with direct access to restaurants, bars, and shopping. Rated 8.5/10 with 796 reviews, it’s a 4-star boutique with modern design, rooftop pool, and on-site dining. Blue Hound Kitchen & Cocktails features new American cuisine and cocktails. If proximity matters, this is your move.

Hyatt Regency Phoenix — Rated 8.4/10 with 1,495 reviews, it’s a 5-minute walk from the arena and actually has a genuinely interesting feature: the rooftop Compass restaurant slowly rotates, offering 360-degree views of Phoenix. Some rooms have private balconies overlooking the city. It’s upscale without being pretentious.

Residence Inn by Marriott Phoenix Downtown — One block away, perfect for extended stays with full kitchens in rooms and free breakfast. If you’re staying multiple nights or want to save on meals, this genuinely makes sense. Modern rooms, rooftop pool.

LUXURY WITH CHARACTER

The Westin Phoenix Downtown — An easy 10-minute walk from Mortgage Matchup Center with spacious, modern rooms featuring floor-to-ceiling windows for city views. Pet-friendly with rooftop pool and WestinWORKOUT fitness center including Peloton bikes. Good balance of proximity and luxury.

Sheraton Phoenix Downtown — Arizona’s largest hotel with reimagined spaces, sun-kissed terrace pool, and state-of-the-art fitness center. Over 110,000 square feet of event space, but still personal enough for individual guests. Convenient to downtown attractions and near Chase Field.

BUDGET WITHOUT SACRIFICING LOCATION

Hampton Inn & Suites Phoenix Downtown — Right next door to the Westin, more affordable while still providing great access to Mortgage Matchup Center, with free breakfast included. Valet parking available for $42/night. Solid value play.

Home2 Suites by Hilton Phoenix Downtown — 24-hour gym, WiFi, and valet parking available. Apartment-style rooms with kitchens if you’re cooking for yourself. More practical than fancy.

AC Hotel Phoenix Downtown — Located at the Arizona Center, moments away from Phoenix Convention Center and Mortgage Matchup Center, with European-inspired breakfast and tapas/cocktail lounge. Solid modern design, good value.

Restaurants Near Mortgage Matchup Arena

1. The Arrogant Butcher: Nestled in CityScape, The Arrogant Butcher is a vibrant restaurant renowned for its American cuisine and craft cocktails. Its lively atmosphere makes it a favorite among locals and visitors alike.
2. Blanco Cocina & Cantina: Located on Washington Street, Blanco Cocina & Cantina offers a delightful taste of Mexico with its Mexican cuisine and signature margaritas. The restaurant’s festive ambiance adds to its appeal, creating a perfect spot for gatherings and celebrations.
3. Pizzeria Bianco: Renowned for its delectable wood-fired pizzas, holds the distinction of being recognized as one of the finest pizza establishments in the nation. Conveniently situated just a few blocks away from the arena, it’s a must-visit culinary destination for pizza enthusiasts. I love this place!
4. Guy Fieri’s DTPHX Kitchen Bar: Inside Caesars Sportsbook at Chase Field, Guy Fieri’s DTPHX Kitchen Bar offers a unique blend of American cuisine and craft cocktails. Its vibrant and fun atmosphere ensures an unforgettable dining experience before or after events.
5. Hanny’s: Found on First Street, Hanny’s charms diners with its Italian-American cuisine and expertly crafted cocktails. Its retro-inspired atmosphere adds a touch of nostalgia to the dining experience, making it a hidden gem in the downtown scene.

Fun Bars Near the Arena

In addition to the Fanduel Sportsbook located inside the arena. Here are some great places to get a drink before or after an event.

1. Little Rituals: This cocktail bar, located on Central Avenue, offers a stylish setting for sipping on creative cocktails. With a rooftop patio and a swanky atmosphere, it’s an ideal spot to unwind with drinks, and prices start at around $15 per cocktail.
2. The Ainsworth: Situated on Second Street, The Ainsworth is a lively sports bar featuring American cuisine and a plethora of sports on TV. It’s a great place to enjoy the game with friends, and prices start at around $20 per entree.
3. Blue Hound Kitchen & Cocktails: Located on Jefferson Street, this bar specializes in craft cocktails. Its rooftop patio and trendy atmosphere provide a chic backdrop for enjoying beverages, and prices start at around $15 per cocktail.
4. Majerle’s Sports Grill: Found on Washington Street near the arena, Majerle’s is a casual sports bar serving American cuisine and showcasing sports on TV. It’s an easygoing spot to catch the game and enjoy a meal, with prices starting at around $15 per entree.
5. The Duce: Situated on South Central Avenue, this bar offers craft cocktails in a vintage atmosphere. Live music adds to the charm, making it a delightful place to savor drinks, with prices starting at around $10 per drink.

Things To Do Near Downtown Phoenix

• Visit the Heard Museum: Explore Native American art and culture at the Heard Museum, which features a diverse collection of art, artifacts, and exhibits.
• Cruise Along Roosevelt Row: This arts district is known for its vibrant street art, galleries, and unique boutiques. Take a leisurely stroll to admire the murals and support local artists.
• Phoenix Art Museum: Discover an extensive collection of art from around the world, including American, European, and contemporary pieces, at the Phoenix Art Museum.
• Hike Camelback Mountain: Located a short drive from downtown, Camelback Mountain offers challenging hiking trails with panoramic views of the Phoenix skyline.
• Explore the Desert Botanical Garden: Just minutes from downtown, the Desert Botanical Garden showcases a stunning array of desert flora in a beautiful outdoor setting.
• Chase Field: Catch a baseball game at Chase Field, home to the Arizona Diamondbacks, or attend other events and concerts hosted at this downtown stadium.
• Arizona Science Center: Enjoy interactive exhibits, a planetarium, and hands-on science activities at the Arizona Science Center, perfect for families and science enthusiasts.
• Heritage Square: Explore historic buildings, museums, and restaurants in Heritage Square, a charming area that offers a glimpse into Phoenix’s past.
• Papago Park: Besides hiking and outdoor activities, Papago Park is home to the Phoenix Zoo and the Desert Botanical Garden, making it a great destination for a day of family fun. Been here many times. Great park and the Phoenix Zoo is great around Christmas with its lights tour.

Final Thoughts

The Mortgatge Matchup Center is an absolute must-visit for Phoenix Suns and Mercury fans. With its modern upgrades, premium seating, and prime downtown location, it delivers an unparalleled experience. Whether you’re attending a game, catching a concert, or enjoying the improving downtown Phoenix nightlife, this arena is a centerpiece of entertainment in the city.

For more stadium guides and travel tips, check out:

• State Farm Stadium
• SoFi Stadium
• Mountain America Stadium (Formerly Sun Devil Stadium)

Written by Brad Richards, Founder of Gameday Guides. This guide includes insights from personal visits as well as updated info from team sources, fan forums, and stadium policies. We aim to help you plan with confidence — enjoy your gameday.