Arizona Athletic Grounds - Mesa, Arizona

Omar B.

Nice sports complex, we visited baseball ⚾️ fields, and fields are 100% turf, very well preserved, and staff is professional. Gate fee is $10 per person. Heat 🥵 🔥 ☀️ sensation is really hot here for the players, and benches have some shade areas, but bring lot of water and maintain your player hydrated the whole time. Food trucks inside and mobile restrooms 🚻 around the fields. Enjoy your visit and create memories.

Amber F.

You know, I mean, it’s fine. It’s a little much with all the things. Baseball fields are nice. Walked over to see the indoor stuff and holy crap it’s nucking futs in there, you guys. 16 courts all playing at once. Pay to park, pay to get in, long lines, ads everywhere. And no outside food 🙄. Thankfully that’s not overly enforced. I mean I paid for all the other things, I’m here all day, I’m bring my own allergen friendly sandwich. I’m not paying for overpriced mall food. This is youth sports now. It’s sad but what are you gonna do? Play i9 😬

Henry A.

This place is huge! They have a good A/C system, but they do need more bleachers. They don’t have enough sitting areas for parents to watch the games. Their parking system is not set up for out of town people with rental cars. You need make sure you find someone working the parking lot and let them know your rental’s plates or you will be fined. It is a good place overall, but it needs some work to be great.

Dan J.

Ever wondered how you could take something simple like "KIDS SPORTS" and turn it into a profit-driven business?! Arizona Athletic Grounds is your answer! Why have a field with grass when you can have LED SCREENS, ADS TURF, SIDEWALKS, ADS, MORE LED SCREENS, ADVERTISEMENTS, FOOD TRUCKS, SCREENS! What you thought was a simple game of soccer is now: paid parking, 20 minute walk, pay to enter, bombarded by ads, it's completely stupid. I have a huge field of grass in my neighborhood, it's free, just come use it, y'all!!
RESPONSE: yeah that's cool you've made adjustments so you can still squeeze every dime out of people and pretend to provide some kind of service. Again, there's grass and basketball courts EVERYWHERE, why do we think we need to hold 5 different sport tournaments all at the same location at the same time? Lol. Dumbest. Idea. Ever.
And you'll continue to have issues, because it's just not a good idea to have every conceivable sport playing at the same time, in the same location... otherwise it'll cost a FORTUNE, you'll run into things like "3rd Party Parking"...(come on, it's kids soccer!!!) and it'll be lame AF.

k B.

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:

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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).

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. BLEACHER SURVIVAL GEAR

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

7. 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.

8. PREPAY ONLINE

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

9. 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.

10. 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.

11. 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.

12. 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.

13. 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.

14. 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 hurt someone.

Cassidy Z.

This place is the most dystopian ass place I've ever played soccer. There is an obscene amount of parking and I guess you have to pay on the weekends according to the signs. Come early to your games because this place is massive and even if you know exactly where your field is, it may take 10-15min to just walk there. There are electronics billboards (like freeway size) playing ads at every field. I had never felt so depressed taking 3 different freeways to get there (it was literally a 15min drive), arriving and driving across fields of parking, and then walking across seas of turf while the air was murky with pollution. Most parents were just sitting in their cars on their phone. And I couldn't help but pity the kids that are missing out on real grass and the fresh chilling evening air. I slipped on the turf while playing and got 3 inches of carpet burn. On grass, I wouldn't have been scratched at all (just bruised maybe). I didn't sign up for the next season because going to this complex gave me existential dread. There's even a thank you for visiting at one of the 3 exits like you just visited freaking Disneyland.

Steven H.

Wow, came for a volleyball tournament. This facility is massive., they have volleyball baseball basketball pickle ball soccer probably every sport you can think of very nice facility. You can get free Wi-Fi if you give them your email., I found that helpful because I have AT&T and it was bad coverage inside the building.

Christopher C.

Blown away by this sports complex. I grew up playing soccer in Korea, West Africa and India. I have never seen a nicer setup anywhere in the world. We are so fortunate to have such nice fields for our kids. We had a lot of fun playing here for the first time. Thank you to everyone who makes it possible!