Footprint Center is one of those arenas that quietly does its job very well. It does not try to overwhelm you with gimmicks, and it does not need to. Sightlines are clean, the bowl is steep enough to keep you close to the action, and even the so called cheap seats rarely feel like punishment. The trick is knowing where your money actually works hardest, and where it does not.
I have sat everywhere from courtside to the upper reaches, usually with a notebook, a hot dog, and strong opinions. Here is how to pick your spot without regretting it by the second quarter.
Lower Bowl, The Sweet Spot for Basketball
If you want the classic NBA experience, the lower bowl delivers. Sections along the sidelines give you the best balance of depth perception and player spacing. You see plays develop, not just collisions under the rim. Mid court seats here are gold, especially a few rows up where you avoid neck strain and still feel part of the noise.
Baseline lower bowl seats are more divisive. Sit too close and half the game happens behind the backboard. Sit a little higher, roughly rows 10 to 15, and the angle improves dramatically. You also get prime views of fast breaks coming straight at you, which never gets old.
For Suns games, this level hums. You hear the chatter on defence, the complaints to the refs, and the squeak of trainers that cost more than your rent.
Club Level, Comfort Without Losing the Game
Club seats at Footprint Center are ideal if you like basketball but also like legroom, better food, and the ability to stand up without apologising to twelve strangers. Sightlines remain strong because the club level is not shoved halfway into the roof. Most sections still feel connected to the court.
Mid court club seats are excellent for seeing offensive sets and rotations, while corner club sections offer better value if you are happy trading a slightly angled view for fewer crowds and faster concessions. This is the level where you can actually talk during timeouts and still hear yourself think.
Courtside and Floor Seats, Incredible and Slightly Chaotic
Courtside is unforgettable, no debate there. You are close enough to hear trash talk that will never make television. The downside is perspective. When the ball moves to the far side, it can feel like watching basketball through a fence of very expensive legs.
Floor seats a few rows back solve some of that problem. You keep the atmosphere, gain a bit of height, and still feel like you might accidentally get pulled into a huddle. Worth it if the price difference is manageable, and if you enjoy the theatre as much as the tactics.
Upper Bowl, Better Than You Expect
The upper bowl at Footprint Center is steep, and that is a compliment. It keeps you closer to the action than many modern arenas that spread fans like butter over too much bread. Sideline upper sections are the clear winners, offering clean views and solid depth.
Corners are fine, baselines less so, especially for basketball purists who want symmetry and spacing. Still, for the price, the upper bowl holds its own. I have watched tense fourth quarters from up there and never felt detached.
If you want value, look for the first few rows of the upper level near mid court. You will wonder why people complain about nosebleeds at all.
Best Seats for Concerts and Events
For concerts, the equation changes. Floor seats close to the stage bring energy but can sacrifice sound balance. Raised lower bowl sections facing the stage often give the best mix of audio clarity and sightlines.
Club level again shines here, especially for longer shows where comfort matters. Upper bowl seats can work surprisingly well thanks to the arena’s acoustics, though side stage seats are a gamble unless you enjoy watching performers from an angle that feels like a rehearsal.
Seats to Think Twice About
Seats directly behind the baskets in the lower rows are the biggest risk for basketball. Obstructions and awkward angles can drain the fun fast. Extreme corner upper sections can also feel distant, not terrible, just disconnected.
If resale prices look suspiciously low, there is usually a reason. Trust your instincts and your seating map.
Final Thoughts from the Cheap Seats and the Good Ones
Footprint Center rewards smart choices more than big spending. Mid court views in the lower or club levels are the safest bet. Upper bowl sideline seats are excellent value. Courtside is an experience, but not always the best way to actually watch basketball.
As arenas go, this one respects the game and the fans. It does not ask for blind loyalty, just decent seat selection and maybe a cold drink in hand.
About the Author
