McKale Center
McKale Center is a basketball arena in Tucson, Arizona, home of the Arizona Wildcats (Big 12, NCAA Division I). It opened in 1973, making it 53 years old in 2026 and seats 14,688 for basketball. It ranks 5th of 16 in the Big 12 by capacity.
The closest NBA arena is Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, about 109 miles away.
Arena facts
- Location
- Tucson, Arizona
- Home of
- Arizona Wildcats
- School
- University of Arizona
- Conference
- Big 12
- Opened
- 1973
- Capacity
- 14,688
- Size rank in D-I
- 31st of 360
Famous games at McKale Center
- Feb. 1, 1973: Arizona opened the building with an 87-69 win over Wyoming.
- Jan. 20, 1984: Two days after his father was killed in Beirut, Steve Kerr played as Arizona beat Arizona State 71-49 in an emotional night.
- Jan. 11, 1992: UCLA won 89-87 to end Arizona's NCAA-record 71-game home winning streak, which began in February 1987.
- Dec. 28, 2009: Jimmer Fredette scored 49, the most ever by a McKale opponent, as BYU beat Arizona 99-69.
- Feb. 19, 2011: Derrick Williams' last-second block preserved an 87-86 win over Washington.
- April 6, 2019: Arizona's women beat Northwestern 56-42 for the WNIT title before a record 14,644 fans.
Seating & views at McKale Center
McKale Center seats 14,688 for basketball in a lower bowl topped by an upper deck. The ZonaZoo student section fills the north baseline, and students line up early for the best spots. An $80 million renovation that began in 2014 added new seats, a new floor, a center-hung HD video board and a connected concourse. Since February 2026 the building is formally McKale Center at ALKEME Arena.
Parking & tailgating at McKale Center
Parking is spread across University of Arizona garages and lots, including the Sixth Street and Second Street garages near McKale (card or mobile pay only). Prices and lots differ between men's and women's games, and some lots require a Wildcat Club permit. The Sun Link streetcar stops close to campus, so parking downtown and riding in is a good option.
Plan your trip to McKale Center
Arenas near McKale Center10
- 1D-IDesert Financial Arena — Arizona State Sun Devils 99 mi
- 2G LeagueMullett Arena — Valley Suns 101 mi
- 3NBAMortgage Matchup Center — Phoenix Suns 109 mi
- 4D-IGlobal Credit Union Arena — Grand Canyon Antelopes 109 mi
- 5D-IWalkup Skydome — Northern Arizona Lumberjacks 209 mi
- 6D-IPan American Center — New Mexico State Aggies 244 mi
- 7D-IDon Haskins Center — UTEP Miners 272 mi
- 8D-IThe Pit — New Mexico Lobos 316 mi
- 9G LeagueAcrisure Arena — Coachella Valley Lakers 333 mi
- 10WNBAMichelob Ultra Arena — Las Vegas Aces 360 mi
Questions about McKale Center
Where do the Arizona Wildcats play home games?
The Arizona Wildcats play at McKale Center in Tucson, Arizona.
How many people does McKale Center hold?
McKale Center seats 14,688 for basketball.
When did McKale Center open?
McKale Center opened in 1973.
Facts are for the 2026–27 season. Distances are straight-line miles between city centers. Capacity figures vary by source. See something wrong? Let us know. Is this your arena? Get the “Listed on Hoops Arenas” badge for your website.