Few places in the U.S. have the tradition, infrastructure, climate and hospitality industry like metro Phoenix. Especially when it comes to hosting major sports events.
The annual Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium has turned into a College Football Playoff game. In recent years, the stadium has hosted the NCAA Men's Basketball Final Four, Super Bowl 52 and international soccer's CONCACAF Gold Cup and Copa America.
Mortgage Matchup Center hosted the Women's Final Four in April, and, along with Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, has hosted numerous major boxing and pro wrestling events in recent years.
There's more to come after the recent seven-event deal struck between the Arizona Sports & Events Alliance and TKO Group Holdings, the parent company
of UFC, WWE, Pro Bull Riders and Zuffa Boxing. The first three of those seven events have already been announced and are coming to town starting Sept. 12 with Noche UFC.
Here are more major sporting events to take place in metro Phoenix this year and into next.
Noche UFC
Saturday, Sept. 12, 2 p.m. MST (5 p.m. ET), Desert Diamond Arena
UFC's celebration of Mexican Independence Day comes to Desert Diamond Arena for the first time, featuring a card highlighted by Mexican and Latino talent, including former champions, rising prospects and fan favorites.
NFL: Seahawks at Cardinals
Sunday, Sept. 20, 1:25 p.m. State Farm Stadium
The Arizona Cardinals host the defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks in Arizona's 2026 home opener, also the second regular-season game of the year.
Diamondbacks postseason?
Will the Arizona Diamondbacks earn a wild-card spot in the Major League Baseball postseason? Despite the NL West title seeming out of reach, the team continues to chase a National League playoff spot. If they get in, both NL best-of-three wild-card series start on Tuesday, Sept. 29, at the home of the higher seed, which will host all games at its home stadium.
If the Diamondbacks don't get the No. 1 wild card, the first chance they would have to host a postseason game at Chase Field would be in a division series Game 3 on Oct. 6.
U.S. vs. Mexico men's soccer friendly
Saturday, Oct. 3, 7 p.m., State Farm Stadium
The biggest international soccer rivalry in North America writes another chapter in Glendale, where the U.S. Men's National Team and El Tri have played some memorable matches. Mexico leads the overall series and will feel right at home in Arizona, where it's likely that most of the crowd will be on its side. Expect a big crowd of 50,000 or more.
NASCAR's fall race in Phoenix
Sunday, Oct. 18, noon. Freeway Insurance 500, Phoenix Raceway
The series makes its second stop this season, Oct. 16-18, at Phoenix Raceway as the Cup series playoffs continue. Friday night, Oct. 16, features the trucks race; Saturday is the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series event and the top names in the sport battle it out in the Cup series showdown, the Freeway Insurance 500, on Sunday, Oct. 18.
Larry Fitzgerald number retirement/Cardinals vs. Broncos
Sunday, Oct. 25, 1:05 p.m. State Farm Stadium
The Cardinals will honor Hall of Fame wide receiver Larry Fitzgeraldat halftime of their game against the Denver Broncos. In a ceremony that day, Fitzgerald will be placed in the team’s Ring of Honor and also have his jersey No. 11 retired.
Cactus Bowl
Saturday, Dec. 26, 5:30 p.m., Mountain America Stadium
Formerly the Rate Bowl and originally the Cactus Bowl, the annual college bowl game moves from Chase Field to Mountain America Stadium in Tempe this year. The showdown pits the Big 12 Conference against the Big Ten Conference.
Suns vs. Philadelphia 76ers
Wednesday, Dec. 30, 7 p.m., Mortgage Matchup Center
Come celebrate LeBron James' 42nd birthday at the Suns' only regular-season home game against Philly.
Vrbo Fiesta Bowl
Wednesday, Dec. 30, 5:30 p.m., State Farm Stadium
This year's Fiesta Bowl will be a College Football Playoff quarterfinal game.
Suns vs. New York Knicks
Thursday, Dec. 31, 7 p.m., Mortgage Matchup Center
The only visit to Phoenix from the defending NBA champions this season, on New Year's Eve.
WWE Royal Rumble
February 2027, State Farm Stadium
Details have yet to be announced, but one of the signature WWE pay-per-views is coming to town. It will be the 40th Royal Rumble and will feature many big names in the industry. In WWE’s signature 30-man and 30-woman Royal Rumble matches, the winner of each earns a championship match opportunity at WrestleMania 43.
NASCAR, IndyCar races
March 12-14, 2027, Phoenix Raceway
The NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series and NTT IndyCar Series races will take place in a weekend doubleheader. Action begins Friday, March 12, with an ARCA Menards Series race and concludes Sunday, March 14, with the NASCAR Cup Series race. The IndyCar race will be Saturday, March 13.
PBR World Finals
May 20-23, 2027, Desert Diamond Arena
Four days of high-stakes competition will bring the world’s best bull riders and toughest bulls to Desert Diamond Arena with a world championship on the line.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: These major sporting events are coming to metro Phoenix in 2026-27
