The Arizona Cardinals officially broke ground Wednesday on a new $90 million practice and community facility in Tempe that team officials say will be among the most advanced training complexes in the NFL while also serving as a year-round resource for the surrounding community.
The 150,000-square-foot facility, located adjacent to the team’s current headquarters, will include two full-size outdoor practice fields with a retractable shade system, an indoor training facility, expanded sports medicine and rehabilitation space, team meeting rooms, and a state-of-the-art film study theater.
“This facility represents our commitment to giving our players every tool they need to compete at the highest level,” said Cardinals owner Michael Bidwill. “But it’s also about being a good neighbor and contributing to the community that supports us.”
The community component includes a public fitness center, a multi-purpose indoor field available for youth sports leagues, and classroom space for the team’s educational foundation programs. The Cardinals have committed to making the community spaces available at no cost for qualifying youth organizations.
“We want kids in Tempe and across the Valley to see this place as theirs, not just ours,” said Cardinals president Ray Anderson. “Sports can be a powerful tool for youth development, and this facility will help us reach more young people.”
The retractable shade system over the outdoor fields is a notable feature that addresses one of Arizona’s most persistent athletic challenges — training in extreme heat. The system will allow the team to practice outdoors while being protected from direct sun during the hottest months.
The project is expected to create approximately 500 construction jobs over the 18-month build timeline, with a target completion date of fall 2027. The team has committed to using local contractors and has set diversity goals for the construction workforce.
Tempe Mayor Corey Woods said the project strengthens the city’s position as a hub for professional sports, noting the facility’s proximity to Tempe Town Lake and the planned entertainment district.
“Having an NFL team invest in a world-class facility in your city is a statement of confidence,” Woods said. “This will generate economic activity and community benefit for decades.”
