The Phoenix Metropolitan area is host to over 4.5 million people making it the 4th largest city and the 14th largest DMA market in the United States.  The downtown area has enjoyed many new renovations and improvements in recent years.  The focal point of these renovations is in the area known as Copper Square.  Copper Square is home to two of the countries best-known Sports Arenas.

America West Arena

The first of two venues is America West Arena, which ranks third busiest arena in the entire country.  The only two sports arenas that generate more attendance per year are the Staple Center in Los Angeles, and Madison Square Garden in New York City.  AWA does however rank second in the country behind Madison Square Garden for concert/family show attendance.  Since its construction in 1992, AWA has been host to over 17 million people.  America West Arena averages 2 million visitors each year via its sporting events and concerts.  AWA is home to the Phoenix Suns, Phoenix Mercury and Arizona Rattlers.  In 2000 AWA held 239 events and are increasing those numbers every year.  With multiple parking lots in an eight-block distance, AWA has a tremendous amount of foot traffic.

Bank One Ballpark

The newest large-scale addition to the downtown area is Bank One Ballpark, home to the World Champion Arizona Diamondbacks.  BOB, as it is now known, has a tremendous pull to the downtown area.  The majority of the Baseball season is during the summer, allowing the Diamondbacks to bridge the gap during the off season for Basketball and Hockey.  The Diamondbacks boasted an average attendance of 30,000 people per game in 2001.  The attendance for BOB last year totaled over 3 million.  With the addition of other events such as concerts, World Cup soccer games, Supercross, and others, BOB will increase its attendance numbers by a projected 500,000.

The Phoenix Civic Plaza is the third greatest contributor towards foot traffic in the Copper Square area.  Each year Phoenix Civic Plaza sees over 1 million people through its 500 public shows and 50 conventions.  The Downtown Phoenix Partnership survey concluded that 21% of attendees were from Metro Phoenix, 14% from other parts of Arizona, 64% from other states and 1% from other countries.

It is because of AWA, BOB, and the Phoenix Civic Plaza that Copper Square sees around 7 million walking people per year.  This number only represents those consumers who are coming to downtown for sporting events, concerts, and conventions.  Downtown Phoenix is also host to a bustling nightlife with new and exciting restaurants opening monthly.  The Arizona Center with a multitude of shops and restaurants is a main attraction for visitors and Phoenicians alike.  Throw in Phoenix Family Museum, Orpheum Theater, the new Dodge Theater, The Web Theater, and Arizona Science Center and there is always something going on downtown.  

                                                                                                                                                                                               

Phoenix Civic Plaza

Dodge Theater