Arizona Athletic Grounds — Local services in Four Corners States

Arizona Athletic Ground Insider Scoop: Making the Most of Your Visit

The reviews were mixed, leaning more on the unfavorable side, so when I heard that our volleyball tournament would be hosted here for three days, my expectations were low. But then I thought, What would I want to know ahead of time to turn a potentially frustrating experience into a smooth and enjoyable one?

Four tournaments were in full swing during our visit: court volleyball, beach volleyball, soccer, and baseball. After navigating this sprawling facility as a 3-day volleyball mom, here’s your Top 14 Insider Scoop to make your time at the Arizona Athletic Ground (AAG) a win:

PARKING PRO-TIPS

I arrived at 7 AM each day to a parking frenzy. My solution? Park near the soccer courts and walk through the grassy area to the volleyball courts. Early birds will thank me for this hack, but by 9 AM, dirt parking opens up if you’re a little late.

FOOD TRUCK STRATEGY

Day one, I made the rookie mistake of waiting an hour for coffee in the AAG food court line. Day two, I hit the coffee truck by the soccer field—quick and efficient. Pro tip: Despite the “no outside coffee” sign, no one stopped me from bringing my own cup into the volleyball courts.

REJUVENATION ZONES

This facility has plenty of space to recharge between games. Here’s how I spent my downtime:

*Ran the bleachers (cardio, check!) "Strolled around the scenic soccer fields (about 2 miles of walking bliss) *Relaxed in the grassy area with a snack *Soaked up some sun *Reserved a pickleball court (some parents even brought their own gear).

CHAIR HACK

No outside chairs are allowed, but my trusty lightweight foldable stool fit the bill. While I had no issues, I can’t guarantee everyone will have the same luck—so keep it discreet.

BEWARE OF FLYING VOLLEYBALLS

There are no barriers between courts, so there’s a 75% chance you’ll get hit by a rogue volleyball. It wouldn’t hurt for the facility to invest in safety screens for spectators.

BLEACHER SURVIVAL GEAR

Aluminum bleachers are rough on your back and backside. Bring a cushion or bleacher chair if you value your comfort.

DRESS IN LAYERS

It’s chilly inside and out—think coats, scarves, and even gloves (yes, I brought my mink gloves). Don’t underestimate Arizona’s fluctuating temperatures.

PREPAY ONLINE

Save yourself the hassle and prepay for your tickets. Trust me, it’s not worth scrambling at the entrance.

WRISTBAND WISDOM

If you’re attending multiple days, keep your wristband in a safe spot. It’s non-replaceable, but it does allow in-and-out privileges for both parking and the facility.

SECRET CHILL SPOT

The couches near the entrance hallway were a hidden gem. Quiet, uncrowded, and perfect for resting, whether you’re solo, with a group, or accompanying elderly family members.

WI-FI VS. CELL SIGNAL

The free Wi-Fi worked like a charm, but my AT&T signal was useless. Plan accordingly if you need to stay connected.

HIDDEN BATHROOMS AND SEATING

The main AAG hall has bathrooms and ample seating, which many people seemed to overlook. Don’t hesitate to take advantage of these lesser-used areas.

SOCCER PARENT TIPS

If you’re here for soccer, note that bathroom access varies depending on the field’s location. It’s manageable unless you have mobility challenges. Bring a wide-brimmed hat or an umbrella for shade. My foldable backpacking chair was also a lifesaver on the field.

FOOD OPTIONS GALORE

With so many food trucks and vendors, I skipped the indoor concessions entirely. There’s even a full restaurant serving beer, and water bottle refills are allowed. My favorite? The fresh-cut fries topped with barbecue brisket from one of the food trucks—absolutely delicious.

A FEW EXTRAS

Cashless Transactions: Bring your card, but gratuities can still be given in cash.

FINAL THOUGHTS

I came in expecting chaos and left thoroughly impressed. I must add the courts are NOT wheelchair friendly and actually dangerous because there are no screens and a flying ball will...

Hope your player doesn’t get injured. NO ONE knows how to find ice for an injured player. Not front desk (4staff members), not the restaurant in concession are of fieldhouse A/B (who said to ask the front) and not a person with a walkie talkie. The guy with walkie did not even know how to call someone in charge with his walkie to find out.

Parking should not be a separate charge. My team pays for the tournament AND I pay too much to watch a tournament.

Paying to watch my child play is TOO EXPENSIVE. My other teens cannot come support my player because I cannot justify paying $50-$100 to watch a volleyball tournament for my whole family.

Parking is TOO EXPENSIVE and SPACES ARE SO TINY it is difficult to park.

Don’t bring your own food?? But pay $5 for a bottle of soda?? AND there are not enough restaurants and/or staff to meet the needs of the number of people needing food.

FOOD IS WAY OVERPRICED. We bought fries (for way too much) AND THEY WERE COLD. They gave me new ones (new cold ones) and would not make fresh ones. Moments later I saw other folks order fries and they had to make a new batch. They should have at least warmed up my cold fries in the microwave. That would have been better.

I...

This is my favorite facility for volleyball games, especially in the AZ region. You do have to pay $7 to get in, but Court One is $8, so AAG is not the most expensive. You can bring food/drinks inside while you watch your daughter play, this is the only facility that allows that in the region. AND you don't have to take your trash home with you (like everywhere else), they have a team that empties trash regularly. Also... seating literally sucks at EVERY venue! So why do we complain here? Greenfield you sit in the sky and can't even be on the court. Apollo you have squish your chair against a small wall. Court one has dirty bleachers, and yes you can bring a chair, but they have so many rules on where to put them. Tournaments can be a challenge for parking, but it's a tournament, an experience, the vibes inside are unreal. Speaking of parking, $5 is not bad. ASU for MLK was $16 a day, and Fiesta in June is $30 if you're lucky! The food options have increased a lot, and wait times are low. I'm always excited to see what food trucks are there for me, because my daughter will make me get the concession fries EVERY time. ...