The Phoenix Suns have a 7 PM tip-off. You're in Mesa, you've got 20 people, and US-60 westbound looks reasonable right up until it merges onto Interstate 10 and the dashboard clock starts your real problem. By the time downtown Phoenix comes into view, Jefferson Street is already running one-way, Jackson Street is closing behind a police barrier, and every garage within two blocks of the arena has cars circling its entrance.
That's what a Footprint Center game night looks like from a car. A charter bus from Mesa changes the whole equation: one vehicle, one drop-off at the Mortgage Matchup Center Plaza on 1st Street at Jefferson, and the arena entrance is steps away while everyone else is still hunting for a spot at $25 a pop.
One name note before we get into it: as of October 2025, Footprint Center officially became Mortgage Matchup Center after a naming-rights change — though you'll still find it listed as Footprint Center across most third-party sites, apps, and search results. Same arena, same address at 201 E. Jefferson St., Phoenix, AZ 85004, same home of the Phoenix Suns, Phoenix Mercury, and Arizona Rattlers. Everything below applies to the building regardless of what's on the marquee.
This guide covers exactly where a bus drops off, what parking costs and where it fills first, how the drive from Mesa actually goes on a game night, and how easy it is to get pricing for a party bus or charter bus through Partybusinmesa.com — fill out one quick form or call 602-338-9088 and you have options in front of you in under a minute.
Why Rent a Party Bus or Charter Bus to Footprint Center?
Downtown Phoenix's street grid is the first thing that trips up out-of-town groups. Jefferson, Washington, and Van Buren all run one-way, and the block around the arena is tighter than first-timers expect. Jackson Street — which runs directly south of the building — closes before major events, shifting approach routes and making GPS unreliable in the final half-mile.
When the D-backs have a concurrent home game at Chase Field, which sits literally one block to the east on Jefferson Street, every parking garage in the corridor fills before tip-off. The closest spots command $25 and up on busy event nights, and they're gone by the time most groups from Mesa arrive.
One bus replaces all of it. Your group loads up in Mesa, the bus handles the US-60 west to I-10 run, and everyone steps off at the Mortgage Matchup Center Plaza with no parking math to solve and no one in the group stuck being the only one who can't enjoy the evening. When the game ends and 17,000 fans flood Jefferson Street at once, the bus is already staged nearby — no app required, no surge pricing, no coordinating which rideshare zone everyone ended up at.
That is the version of a Suns game worth planning.
Charter Bus & Party Bus Drop-Off at Footprint Center
The key detail every group needs: per the official Mortgage Matchup Center transportation page, the main vehicle drop-off point is the Mortgage Matchup Center Plaza at 1st Street and Jefferson, on the arena's main entrance side. Vehicles cannot be parked or left unattended at the curb, so the bus drops the group, stages nearby during the event, and returns to the same spot for pickup.
For comparison, the official rideshare zones spread across four specific corners: the Mortgage Matchup Center Plaza at 1st Street and Jefferson, The Ryan on South 2nd Street, the Phoenix Convention Center at South 3rd Street, and Hotel Palomar on East Jefferson Street. Post-game rideshare pick-up consolidates at South 3rd Street and East Jefferson. The difference for a bus group: your bus uses a single consistent spot — the Mortgage Matchup Center Plaza — coming and going.
No app, no surge, no wondering which of four corners your ride is waiting at after a packed playoff exit.
Bus and vehicle drop-off at Footprint Center is at the Mortgage Matchup Center Plaza — 1st Street and Jefferson, steps from the main entrance. It doesn't require navigating downtown Phoenix's one-way grid at length.
Footprint Center Parking: What Every Group Should Know
The arena has an attached five-story garage on the west side, but most of it is reserved for suite holders and premium-seat owners — the general public gets limited availability there, and it fills before most events begin. Parking opens approximately 30 minutes before doors, per official venue guidance. The Jefferson Street Garage is a primary public option adjacent to the arena, with passes available to pre-purchase online.
A collection of private surface lots and smaller garages along Jefferson and Washington Streets typically runs from $8 to $30 or more depending on the event — the closer to the arena, the faster they go.
Two details first-timers consistently miss: no in-and-out privileges are included with parking purchases, and Jackson Street closes before major events, shifting approach routes and making GPS guidance unreliable in the final stretch. Parking passes for garages near the arena can be pre-purchased online through ParkWhiz, letting you lock in a spot before you leave Mesa — far better than arriving and circling at 6:45 PM. For accessible parking, the official accessibility page confirms spaces are available at the Arena Garage (1st & Madison entrance) and the Jefferson Garage (Jackson Street, south entrance) on a first-come, first-served basis for vehicles displaying a valid disabled plate or placard.
Do the quick math for a 20-person group arriving in five cars: five pre-purchased spots at $20–$25 each is $100–$125 just in parking — before gas, before the five separate post-game exit waits, and before the five people in every car who can't fully enjoy the night because they're driving home. A minibus for 20 people handles the parking problem entirely and keeps everyone together from the Mesa pickup to the Jefferson Street drop-off.
Getting to Footprint Center from Mesa and the East Valley
From most of Mesa, the standard route runs US-60 (Superstition Freeway) westbound until it merges onto Interstate 10, then the 7th Street exit south to Jefferson Street. The arena is roughly 19 miles from central Mesa, and off-peak driving typically runs 20 to 35 minutes. That number stretches reliably on game nights — local news stations report 10 to 20 additional minutes on a standard Suns game evening, and that figure compounds when Chase Field is also hosting a D-backs game one block away from the arena.
The Suns themselves have published directional guidance by approach zone: East Valley fans should use I-10 to 7th Street and target the east side of the arena; West Valley fans should use I-10 to 7th Avenue and park west; Southeast Valley fans use I-17 to 7th Street for the southeast approach.
A bus from Mesa absorbs every piece of that. The group loads in the East Valley, the highway miles are someone else's job, and the bus arrives at the Mortgage Matchup Center Plaza on a timeline the group controls — not one dictated by I-10 ramp backups or the moment a Jefferson Street lot puts out its Full sign. On Chase Field double-header nights especially, having a pre-booked bus is what keeps a Mesa group's plan intact when the entire downtown corridor becomes a parking free-for-all.
Valley Metro Light Rail: The No-Parking Alternative
Valley Metro Rail puts two stops within one block of Footprint Center: the 3rd Street/Washington Station (westbound platforms) and the 3rd Street/Jefferson Station (eastbound platforms). Some Mortgage Matchup Center events include light rail fare with your ticket — check your specific ticket or the official venue site for current details, since this can vary by event. For groups flying into Phoenix Sky Harbor, the PHX Sky Train (free, runs day and night) connects the airport terminals to the Valley Metro light rail at the 44th Street/Washington station, and from there it's a single downtown-bound train ride to the arena.
Light rail is the cleanest option for groups of two to four who live near a rail station and want to skip parking entirely. For larger groups trying to stay together — 10, 15, 20 people — it stops being the answer. There is no way to guarantee everyone boards the same car, arrives at the same time, or finds each other on a busy platform after a 17,000-person exit.
That is where a Mesa party bus or charter bus is the cleaner call: one vehicle, one pickup at a Mesa parking lot, one drop-off at the Mortgage Matchup Center Plaza, and the whole group moves as one unit from door to door.
What Size Bus Does Your Footprint Center Group Need?
Not every group heading to a Suns game from Mesa looks the same. Partybusinmesa.com connects you to a wide range of vehicles through a large network of bus companies serving Mesa, so your group rides the right fit — not just whatever is available. Here is how the full vehicle lineup maps to a Footprint Center run.
| Vehicle | Typical seats | Best for | Key features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sprinter van / 14-passenger Sprinter limo | Up to 14 | Small groups, VIP suite clients, corporate transfers | Premium leather seating, USB charging, tinted windows, climate control |
| Party bus (15–50 passengers) | ~15–50 | Fan groups, birthday outings, concert nights | LED lighting, Bluetooth/AUX sound, flat-panel TVs, wraparound seating |
| 15–35 passenger minibus | ~15–35 | Mid-size groups, office outings, downtown hops | Powerful A/C, reclining seats, overhead storage; great maneuverability in the downtown corridor |
| 40–56 passenger charter bus | Up to 56 | Large fan groups, corporate event blocks, out-of-town arrivals | Reclining seats, climate control, WiFi, power outlets, onboard restrooms, undercarriage storage bays |
For most Suns game groups coming in from Mesa, a 25-passenger party bus or a 15–35 passenger minibus handles the trip cleanly. The minibus is a smart downtown pick specifically because of maneuverability — it slides into the Mortgage Matchup Center Plaza drop-off zone, puts the group at the door, and stages without creating a traffic situation on a tight block. For fan groups who want LED lighting and a sound system on the ride over, the party bus is the upgrade.
A full-size charter bus handles groups up to 56 and adds onboard restrooms and undercarriage bays for anything the group needs to bring along. ADA-accessible vehicles are available through the network — note your needs when you submit the quote request.
Every Way to Get to Footprint Center, Compared
Footprint Center sits in one of the few parts of Phoenix where multiple transportation options genuinely work — but they work very differently at different group sizes. Here is an honest look.
| Option | Cost shape | Arrive together? | Drop-off point | Best group size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charter bus or party bus | One flat rate, split by the group | Yes — one vehicle, one arrival | Mortgage Matchup Center Plaza, steps from main entrance | 15–56 |
| Valley Metro Light Rail | Standard fare, sometimes included with select event tickets | Only if everyone boards the same train | 3rd St/Jefferson station, one block walk | 1–4 (manageable) |
| Rideshare (Uber/Lyft) | Per car each way + post-game surge | No — multiple cars, multiple ETAs | Four separate zone locations, corner-specific | 1–4 per car |
| Driving & self-parking | $8–$30+ per car + gas | No — groups split across lots | Varies by garage or lot selected | 1–2 cars |
For one or two people who live near the light rail line, taking the train is genuinely the smartest move — the 3rd Street station is one block from the front door, and there's nothing to park. Once the group grows past four or five people trying to stay together, the coordination cost of separate vehicles — staggered arrivals, split parking, multiple post-game rideshare zones — tips decisively toward one bus. That is the group the rest of this guide is written for.
Party Bus & Charter Bus Rental Prices for Footprint Center Trips
Partybusinmesa.com gives you pricing in under 30 seconds online — no account required, no obligation, and you see vehicle options and rates side by side. To give you a planning idea: a 15–35 passenger minibus runs roughly $200–$250/hour on weekdays or $200–$275/hour on weekends; a 25-passenger party bus runs approximately $250–$350/hour weekday or $275–$375/hour on a weekend evening; and a full-size charter bus runs in the range of $200–$350/hour across weekday and weekend dates. The quote moves with your specific date, itinerary, and vehicle — but you can have pricing in front of you in about a minute.
See the Mesa party bus prices page for a full breakdown by vehicle, or call 602-338-9088 any time for a quote built around your exact headcount and date.
The per-head math is usually what surprises groups most. Split a bus across 25 people and the cost per seat often competes with or beats the combination of pre-purchased parking plus post-game surge rideshare from downtown Phoenix back to Mesa. One flat rate.
Everyone arrives together. Nobody is the one stuck navigating I-10 home while everyone else recaps the game.
A Game-Night Example
To give you an idea of how this works in practice: for a 7 PM Suns game, a 25-person group from Mesa books a 25-passenger party bus. Pickup at 5:15 PM from a Mesa hotel parking lot, at the Mortgage Matchup Center Plaza by 6:10 PM — well ahead of the security line build. The bus stages during the game and is back at the same drop-off point by 10:30 PM for the return to Mesa.
A 5-hour rental at that size might run approximately $1,400–$1,900 total — roughly $56–$76 per person — with the US-60 commute, the downtown parking scramble, and the post-game rideshare math all solved in one number.
Events at Footprint Center and When Bus Rentals Book Out
Footprint Center runs one of the busiest event calendars in the Southwest, and there are several points in the year when Mesa party bus and charter bus availability tightens fast. Your planning calendar should account for these windows:
- Phoenix Suns season (October–April). Forty-one home games across six months make this the single biggest source of group transportation requests to the arena all year. Playoff runs compress demand fast — when the Suns advance deep into the postseason, the available vehicles for East Valley groups go quickly. Book as soon as your game date is confirmed.
- Phoenix Mercury season (May–September). The Mercury bring a different crowd through the summer months, with home games at the same arena. Summer in Phoenix means the downtown parking situation is every bit as challenging in June as it is in January, and the heat makes the walk from a remote garage or rideshare zone that much less appealing. A bus from Mesa drops the group at the door.
- Major non-basketball events downtown. National championships, conventions, and multi-day events at the arena and nearby Phoenix Convention Center periodically fill downtown Phoenix all at once. Parking and traffic in the Jefferson Street corridor compress fast when convention center proximity and summer visitor volume combine — a useful reminder that non-basketball events can make the downtown parking picture look exactly like a playoff game.
- Major concerts and touring shows. The arena's concert calendar runs year-round, with major touring artists filling the building to 17,000-plus throughout the year. Concert nights hit the same Jefferson Street parking situation as every Suns game, and post-concert rideshare surge from downtown Phoenix back to Mesa can rival a playoff exit. A concert bus rental from Mesa covers the round trip cleanly with a pre-agreed pickup time.
- Concurrent D-backs nights. When the Suns and D-backs are both at home, Chase Field is one block east of Footprint Center on Jefferson Street. Both arenas share the same corridor of parking garages. On those nights, the nearby lots are claimed before most East Valley groups have even left Mesa. A pre-booked bus is the only way to guarantee a working transportation plan on a double-header evening.
For peak Suns playoff runs and sold-out concert nights, Mesa-area vehicle inventory moves fast. Call 602-338-9088 or use the online quote form as soon as your date is set.
Tips for Your Footprint Center Visit
Bag policy. The current policy permits bags no larger than 14″ × 14″ × 6″ — the NBA-wide standard. Clear bags, small clutches, crossbody bags, and single-compartment drawstring bags within those dimensions are all allowed.
Standard backpacks are not permitted. Purses, medical bags, and diaper bags are acceptable within the size limit but will receive additional screening at the gate. Always confirm the policy for your specific event before you go, as individual concerts or non-Suns events can carry additional restrictions.
Arrive early. Plan on at least 60 to 90 minutes before the event for sold-out Suns games and major concerts. Security lines build fast.
A bus from Mesa lets the whole group move together and arrive at the right time — instead of staggering arrivals as separate cars find parking and walk from scattered garages.
Post-game pickup. Agree on your pickup location before anyone enters the building. The Mortgage Matchup Center Plaza is the drop-off point and the cleanest post-game rendezvous spot, but confirm the staging plan when you book so the arrangement is set before the final whistle.
A 17,000-person arena exit takes time to clear; knowing exactly where the bus is staging removes one variable from what can otherwise be a chaotic end to the night.
ADA access. Accessible parking is available at the Arena Garage (1st & Madison entrance) and the Jefferson Garage (Jackson St, south entrance) on a first-come, first-served basis with a valid disabled plate or placard, per the official accessibility information page. Wheelchair-accessible seating is offered at all price points; the arena also provides mobility escorts, assistive listening devices, ASL interpreting (request at least two weeks in advance), and a certified sensory room.
Contact accessibility@suns.com or (602) 379-7800 for accessibility inquiries. ADA-accessible vehicles are available through the Partybusinmesa.com network — just note your needs when you submit the quote request.
The name change, in brief. The official name is now Mortgage Matchup Center as of October 2025. GPS, apps, and most third-party ticket sites still show Footprint Center or PHX Arena — they will all get you to the same building at 201 E. Jefferson St. The official venue site is mortgagematchupcenter.com.
Frequently Asked Questions About Renting a Bus to Footprint Center
Where does a charter bus or party bus drop off at Footprint Center?
Per the official venue transportation page, the main vehicle drop-off point is the Mortgage Matchup Center Plaza at 1st Street and Jefferson, steps from the main entrance. Vehicles cannot be parked or left unattended in the drop-off zone; the bus drops the group, stages nearby during the event, and returns to the same spot for pickup after the final whistle.
How much does parking cost at Footprint Center?
Event-night parking in arena-adjacent garages and surface lots typically runs from $8 to $30 or more, depending on how close to the arena and whether you pre-purchase. The arena's attached garage is primarily reserved for suite and premium-seat holders; the Jefferson Street Garage is the main public-facing option next door. Parking passes can be pre-purchased online through ParkWhiz before you leave Mesa.
Pre-purchasing is strongly recommended — on sold-out nights, the closest garages go well before tip-off.
How far is Footprint Center from Mesa?
About 19 miles via US-60 westbound to I-10 and the 7th Street exit, which runs 20–35 minutes off-peak. Factor in 10 to 20 additional minutes on a Suns game night, and plan for more on nights when the D-backs are also at Chase Field. A bus from Mesa handles the full commute and drops your group at the Mortgage Matchup Center Plaza — no navigation required from anyone in the group.
Does my event ticket get me on the light rail for free?
It depends on the event. Some Mortgage Matchup Center events include light rail fare with your ticket — check your specific ticket or the official venue site to confirm. Either way, you can board at any Valley Metro station and exit at 3rd Street/Jefferson or 3rd Street/Washington, both within one block of the arena entrance.
A great option for small groups — once you're past around ten people trying to stay together, a private bus is the more reliable move.
What is the bag policy at Footprint Center?
Bags must not exceed 14″ × 14″ × 6″. Clear bags, small clutches, crossbody bags, and single-compartment drawstring bags within those dimensions are permitted. Standard backpacks are not allowed.
Medical bags and diaper bags are accepted with additional screening. Always verify the policy for your specific event before you go — concert and non-Suns events sometimes carry additional restrictions.
How do I get to Footprint Center from Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport?
The PHX Sky Train (free, runs day and night) connects Sky Harbor's terminals directly to Valley Metro light rail at the 44th Street/Washington station. From there, a westbound train ride into downtown exits at 3rd Street/Jefferson or 3rd Street/Washington — one block from the arena. By rail, plan on roughly 20–30 minutes from the airport to the arena entrance.
For an out-of-town group flying in together, a charter bus from the baggage claim curb keeps everyone on the same schedule from the moment they land.
How far in advance should I book a bus to Footprint Center?
For regular-season Suns and Mercury games outside peak periods, two to four weeks of lead time is workable. For playoff runs, sold-out concerts, and double-header nights with the D-backs, book as early as your date is confirmed — East Valley vehicle inventory moves fast when demand spikes. The Partybusinmesa.com quote tool checks availability in under 30 seconds, so there is no cost to getting your options in front of you early.
What types of groups take a bus to Footprint Center from Mesa?
Fan groups for Suns games are the most consistent request — especially larger parties of 15 to 40 who want to stay together and skip the I-10 parking reality. Corporate groups with suite packages use a charter bus to move clients and staff from Scottsdale or Tempe without anyone worrying about parking or driving. Concert groups use party buses when the night extends well past the final encore.
And for groups from Mesa or Gilbert who simply want to avoid the full US-60 to downtown experience on a crowded Thursday, a bus is often just the practical call.
Is there anything special about Footprint Center parking on double-header nights?
Yes. Chase Field is one block east of Footprint Center on Jefferson Street. When both venues have events on the same night, every parking garage in the Jefferson Street corridor serves demand from two separate arenas simultaneously.
The garages closest to both buildings fill before most East Valley groups finish driving in. On those nights specifically, a pre-booked bus is the only approach that keeps a Mesa group's plan intact regardless of what the downtown parking situation looks like when they arrive.
Book Your Footprint Center Party Bus or Charter Bus Today
Whether it's a 20-person fan group heading in from Mesa for a Suns game, a corporate suite party coming from Scottsdale, a Mercury season-ticket group making a summer night of it, or a concert group that wants the energy to start on the ride over — Partybusinmesa.com makes it simple to find and compare party buses, minibuses, and charter buses through a large network of bus companies serving Mesa and the Valley. Fill out the quick online form or call 602-338-9088 any time: no account required, no obligation, and your pricing is in front of you in about a minute. The Mesa sporting event transportation page and the concert bus rental page cover more on specific event planning — or call right now and get your Footprint Center group trip on the books before availability tightens.
