Life after the Coyotes: Glendale officials say Westgate thrives without NHL tenant

Article originally posted on Phoenix Business Journal on May 14, 2026

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For nearly two decades, Desert Diamond Arena’s calendar revolved around 41 regular-season home games and the rhythms of an NHL schedule. Today, that structure is gone.

The Coyotes played their last game at Desert Diamond Arena on April 29, 2022, ending a turbulent and fractious 19-year relationship with the city of Glendale. In the ensuing four years, the arena and surrounding area continue to adapt to life after the NHL.

Glendale Mayor Jerry Weiers emphasized that the instability within the Coyotes organization made a sustainable relationship difficult.

“For years, there was a sense that the team was always looking elsewhere rather than investing in Glendale,” Weiers said. “It’s hard to build something lasting when one side is never fully committed to staying.”

Several key facilitators insist that life hasn’t been so bad since the team’s departure.

Former Glendale City Manager Kevin Phelps said the economic indicators have improved since the Coyotes left, showing why the Coyotes may have never been the right fit for Glendale.

“It was clear from the beginning that from a pure financial perspective, it would be better for the City of Glendale to not have the Coyotes as a tenant,” Phelps said. “The Coyotes had arguably the second- or third-best lease terms in the NHL.”

Under the previous lease, the Coyotes paid a flat fee of $500,000 to rent the facility year-round. On top of that, they paid $900,000 for control of advertising revenue and $800,000 to control the suites.

Phelps said the city anticipated stronger financial performance once high revenue streams such as advertising and suites weren’t controlled by the team. Weiers also pointed to the structure of the agreement as a major factor in the city’s decision-making.

“The city was taking on significant operational costs while the team controlled the most lucrative revenue streams,” Weiers said. “At some point, you have to ask whether that model makes sense for taxpayers.”

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