Spectator Sports - Tucson, Arizona



Spectator Sports

Tucson is a terrific venue for spectator sports. You’ll find just about every outdoor and indoor sport here, from minor league baseball and competitive swimming and diving to horse racing and ice hockey. The University of Arizona offers nearly every sport imaginable, including top-ranked Pac-10 teams in men’s baseball and basketball and women’s softball.

The university’s nickname is the Wildcats, and you won’t be in Tucson long before seeing signs, T-shirts, hats, or publications touting the Cats. UA competes in at least 18 varsity sports, most of which are very spectator oriented and provide great viewing and great fun for Tucsonans, who are faithful and supportive fans of their college teams. Unless otherwise noted, tickets for all UA games can be obtained at the ticket office at McKale Center, which is on National Championship Drive just west of Campbell Avenue and a block north of 6th Street (520-621-2287; www.arizonawildcats.com). Just remember that any of the ticket prices given in this chapter are subject to change.

In addition to profiling the major college sports you can watch in Tucson, this chapter covers other spectator sports offered in Tucson, such as racing and golf. We also take a slight detour to the north to tell you about the major sports teams based in Phoenix, because it’s not uncommon for Tucson residents or visitors to travel there for a pro or bowl game. And finally, we also provide a primer on the major sports playing fields in both cities so you know how to get there, where to park, and what to expect.

1. Tucson Padres

City: Tucson, AZ
Category: Spectator Sports
Telephone: (520) 434-1367
Address: 2500 E. Ajo Way

Description: The minor-league Tucson Padres make their home at Kino Stadium, part of the Kino Sports Complex. The Triple-A affiliate for the San Diego Padres, they play in the Pacific Coast League. The team moved to Tucson in 2010 and will play all their home games here until a new stadium is built in California. Season runs April through September.


2. Tucson Toros

City: Tucson, AZ
Category: Spectator Sports
Telephone: (520) 325-1010
Address: 900 S. Randolph Way

Description: Playing on real grass at Tucson’s historic Hi Corbett Field (see Close-up this chapter), the Toros are Tucson’s independent professional baseball team in the North American Baseball League. Host of the wildly popular Thirsty Thursdays and Fireworks Fridays during home games, the team is on hiatus but is expected to return to action for either the 2012 or 2013 season. The season runs late May until the first week of Sept. Check the website for up-to-the-minute information.

3. University Of Arizona Wildcats—Men’S Baseball

City: Tucson, AZ
Category: Spectator Sports
Address: 640 N. National Championship Dr.

4. University Of Arizona Wildcats—Women’S Softball

City: Tucson, AZ
Category: Spectator Sports
Telephone: (520) 621-4920

Description: The women’s softball team is hot, hot, hot. As winners of many national titles, including the 2007 NCAA national championship, their home games are often sold out, and they’ve definitely elevated the profile of the sport nationwide. The season runs from February to May, and games are played at the 2,000-seat Hillenbrand Stadium on campus. Tickets are available at the McKale Center ticket office.

5. Tucson Fiesta Bowl Basketball Classic

City: Tucson, AZ
Category: Spectator Sports
Telephone: (520) 621-2287
Address: 1 National Championship Dr.

Description: This basketball event is played at McKale Center in Tucson. It’s an invitational tournament, with the UA basketball team and 1 other collegiate program. Ticket prices vary; call for details. Buy tickets at the McKale Center ticket office, by phone, or online.

6. University Of Arizona Wildcats—Men

City: Tucson, AZ
Category: Spectator Sports
Address: 1 National Championship Dr.

7. University Of Arizona Wildcats—Women

City: Tucson, AZ
Category: Spectator Sports
Telephone: (520) 621-4813, (520) 621-2287
Address: 1 National Championship Dr.

Description: The women’s basketball team was the 2003–04 Pac-10 co-champion. And their popularity is growing, with several WNBA draft picks from the team including Ify Ibekwe in 2011. They play at McKale Center from early November through early March, with the NCAA tournament games immediately after. Ticket prices vary and are available from the McKale Center ticket office.

8. University Of Arizona Wildcats

City: Tucson, AZ
Category: Spectator Sports
Telephone: (520) 621-4917

Description: When September rolls around in Tucson, it may not seem like fall with temperatures still hovering in the low 100s, but that’s what greets the university’s Wildcat football players and fans in Arizona Stadium. Sunscreen is mandatory if you’re going to a day game, but fortunately most are at night. The Wildcats are in the Pac-12. The biggest rivalry each year is against our neighbors to the north, the Arizona State University Sun Devils. Ticket prices vary. Parking on or near campus can be tough, so the easiest option may be the shuttle buses from the eastern end of El Con Mall at Broadway and Dodge Boulevards and from the Tucson Mall.

9. Rillito Downs

City: Tucson, AZ
Category: Spectator Sports
Telephone: (520) 293-5011
Address: 4502 N. 1st Ave.

Description: Rillito Downs is Tucson’s only venue for horse racing, which takes place Saturday and Sunday afternoons, usually January through February, but the season length varies. The 0.6-mile racetrack is just off 1st Avenue, south of River Road, and is adjacent to the (usually dry) Rillito River, making it a pretty spot to watch the thoroughbreds and quarter horses run. And it’s right next to Rillito Park, so you can take a picnic lunch and make a day of it. The racetrack features outside and inside seating with an admission fee, pari-mutuel wagering, and a full bar and restaurant. In addition to live races, there are simulcast races, and Rillito Downs races are played at several off-track betting sites around Tucson. Parking is free and usually ample.

10. Tucson Greyhound Park

City: Tucson, AZ
Category: Spectator Sports
Telephone: (520) 884-7576
Address: 2601 S. 3rd Ave.

Description: When the horses aren’t running at Rillito, and even when they are, you can still watch races of the 4-legged variety at Tucson Greyhound Park, which is open year-round (except Thanksgiving and Christmas) and has pari-mutuel wagering. Live races are run 6 days a week—Mon through Sat evenings. Greyhound Park also simulcasts races, both horse and dog. For the general admission fee, you’ll watch the greyhounds streak along from a large air-conditioned grandstand, with bars, concession stands, and a nonsmoking area, or from the trackside rail. The park also offers a clubhouse, where a full-service restaurant and bar are available; reservations are advised. Call for race schedules, post times, or clubhouse reservations. Parking is free at the track.

11. Southwestern International Raceway

City: Tucson, AZ
Category: Spectator Sports
Telephone: (520) 762-9700

Description: Throughout the year, Tucsonans can head to this drag racing track at the county fairgrounds and see everything from professional fuel cars to novice street cars race on a quarter-mile drag strip. Events at this IHRA-sanctioned facility take place at various times, including Fri evenings. Check the schedule for specifics. Spectator tickets are $5, with kids younger than 10 always free. Spectators are not allowed to bring in alcohol or any glass containers, but the raceway has a full line of concessions, including beer. Parking is ample and free.

12. Musselman Honda Circuit

City: Tucson, AZ
Category: Spectator Sports
Telephone: (520) 245-5278
Address: 11800 S. Harrison Rd.

Description: Go-karts, supermoto motorcycles, ATVs, and more all use this motor sports facility near the Pima County Fairgrounds for training and racing and to learn defensive driving skills. Home of the Southern Arizona Kart Club, the track (a replica of Japan’s Suzuka South Kart Circuit) is 0.07986 mile long and 43 feet wide, with 13 turns and a 17-foot elevation change. The track hosts a youth Karting Camp in conjunction with the University of Arizona’s Youth University (see Education & Child Care chapter). Services include a pro shop and rentals of karts, mini motos, ATVs, and supermoto motorcycles. Hours vary; call for a schedule.

13. Arizona Diamondbacks

City: Tucson, AZ
Category: Spectator Sports
Telephone: (602) 514-8400

Description: Winners of the 2001 World Series against the powerful New York Yankees, the Diamondbacks, a National League expansion team, play in the state-of-the-art Chase Field in downtown Phoenix. Ticket prices vary and are available for individual games, for the season, and monthly. Tucsonans can leave the driving to them by taking the D-Backs Express bus from Foothills Mall to Chase Field for $18 round-trip ($15 for kids 12 and under). The bus trip is offered only for Sat and Sun games and reservations are a must at (602) 462-4798.

14. Cactus League Baseball Spring Training

City: Tucson, AZ
Category: Spectator Sports

15. Arizona Cardinals

City: Tucson, AZ
Category: Spectator Sports
Telephone: (602) 379-0101 (office), (602)

Description: The Cardinals, founded in 1898 and a charter member of the National Football League, are the oldest continuously run professional football franchise in the nation. The NFC West division team plays home games at the gorgeous University of Phoenix Stadium, which played host to the 2008 Super Bowl. Ticket prices range widely from single-game tickets to season tickets, and they’re fairly easy to get.
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