Desert Diamond Arena parking and bag policy, in one paragraph
Desert Diamond Arena is at 9400 W Maryland Ave in Glendale, inside the Westgate Entertainment District off Loop 101. Arena lots open one hour before doors and take cards only; day-of parking is sold in Lots G, J, L, Yellow, the Garage and VIP, and prepaid passes are sold on each event page. Parking prices are set per event and shown on each event page and the arena’s ParkWhiz page. Bags of any type or color must be 12″ x 12″ x 6″ or smaller. You can bring one factory-sealed water bottle up to 17 oz. There is no re-entry, and rideshare drops off near the AMC Westgate theater by Gate 4.
Some shows run a stricter clutch-only rule. Check the event page on desertdiamondarena.com before you leave.
Desert Diamond Arena has had four names since it opened in 2003 (Glendale Arena, Jobing.com Arena, Gila River Arena and now Desert Diamond Arena), and the parking has confused people under every one of them. The arena lots, the Westgate district lots and State Farm Stadium’s lots all sit in the same square mile with different rules and different prices. This guide sorts out which lot is which, what bag gets in, and how to get out of Glendale after a sold-out show. If you’re headed to a Cardinals game or a stadium concert next door, our State Farm Stadium parking and bag policy guide covers that building.
Desert Diamond Arena parking: lots, prices and how to pay
The arena sells its own event parking in a set of lettered and colored lots plus a garage. Which lots are open depends on the event. Each pass covers one standard 12′ x 18′ space; oversized vehicles have to buy extra spaces, and overnight parking and camping are not allowed.
| Option | How it works | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Prepaid arena parking | Buy on the event page up to one hour before the event. Show the pass in the Ticketmaster app or your ParkWhiz email. Your space is held until 30 minutes after the event starts. | Sold-out shows. Faster in and out. |
| Day-of arena lots | Lots G, J, L, Yellow, the Garage and VIP, depending on the event. Credit or debit only, no cash. | Regular nights when you don’t mind paying at the gate. |
| Westgate district lots | Run by Westgate, not the arena. Free on non-event days. On arena event days, paid parking runs from 3 hours before start until 2 hours after; register by QR code or text P4807 to 504504 for 2 free hours. Cashless, plate readers. (844) 236-2011. | Dinner at Westgate before the show. |
| Accessible parking | First come, first served in Lots G, J and the Garage with a valid disability placard or plate. A prepaid permit or day-of fee is still required. | Guests with a placard. Arrive when lots open. |
| Rideshare | Set “Desert Diamond Arena” as the destination. Drop-off and pickup are near the AMC Westgate theater, a short walk from Gate 4. | Anyone drinking. |
How much is parking at Desert Diamond Arena?
The arena sets parking prices per event and does not publish a rate card. Each event page and the arena’s ParkWhiz page show the live price, and day-of payment is card only.
Look at the State Farm Stadium calendar before you buy anything. When the stadium has a Cardinals game or a big concert the same day, the whole Westgate area fills hours early and every exit onto the 101 jams at once. On a normal arena night, the trick is the opposite of what most people do: park in a Westgate lot, eat first, and walk over. After the show, have one more drink at Westgate and let the arena lots empty before you drive.
Desert Diamond Arena bag policy
The arena’s rule is simple on paper: every bag, whatever the type, color or transparency, must measure 12″ x 12″ x 6″ or smaller. It does not have to be clear.
Certain tours bring their own rules. For a recent Nine Inch Nails date, local coverage reported that only crossbodies, clutches, wristlets and wallets up to 4.5″ x 6.5″ were allowed, and backpacks, oversized purses, laptop bags and camera bags were banned even if clear. When the event page lists a tighter rule, that rule wins at the door.
What you can’t bring into Desert Diamond Arena
| Category | Not allowed |
|---|---|
| Food and drink | All outside food and drink, except one factory-sealed, non-frozen water bottle up to 17 oz |
| Cameras and tech | Professional camera gear, tripods, selfie sticks, laptops, tablets, two-way radios, laser pointers |
| Fan gear | Signs or banners over 24″ x 36″, poster tubes, noisemakers, balloons, promotional items |
| Everything else | Weapons and anything that could be used as one, flashlights, fireworks, drugs |
Inside the arena: re-entry, smoking and the box office
- No re-entry: once you’re in, you’re in. Guest Services handles emergencies.
- Cashless: no cash anywhere inside. Major credit and debit cards and contactless payments only.
- Smoking: never allowed indoors. The only outdoor smoking area is the Bassline Bar Outdoor Smoking Area, which is limited to Bassline Bar ticket holders.
- Box office: on the northeast corner between Gates 4 and 5. On event days it opens three hours before showtime and usually closes when the headliner takes the stage; for Arizona Rattlers games it stays open through the third quarter. Closed on non-event days.
- Lost and found: (623) 772-3475.
Every guest age 2 and over needs a ticket. Children under 2 sitting on a lap generally don’t, but some shows set their own policy, so check the event page before you buy.
Where to eat near Desert Diamond Arena
The arena sits on the edge of Westgate, so dinner is a short walk. On show nights, eat by 5 or book ahead. Addresses and phone numbers below were verified through Google Business Profiles on September 1, 2026.
Yard House · 9401 W Westgate Blvd
The group-dinner default: 100-plus taps, a menu for everyone, and enough room that you’ll usually get seated. Open late on Saturdays, so it doubles as the after-show wait-out. (623) 872-3900.
Thirsty Lion Gastropub · 9445 W Entertainment Blvd
Attached to the Renaissance and a little quieter than the center of the district. Takes reservations. (480) 944-5165.
NakedQ BBQ · 9405 W Glendale Ave, Suite 120
Counter-service brisket and smoked sausage, fast enough to eat before doors. Closes at 9 p.m., so it’s a before-only stop. (623) 230-2199.
More verified Valley restaurants are in the AZ Charged Arizona restaurants directory.
Hotels within walking distance of Desert Diamond Arena
The Westgate hotel cluster is a short walk from the arena doors. Expect event-night rates when the stadium is busy too, and a nightly parking charge at most of these.
| Hotel | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Renaissance Phoenix Glendale | 9495 W Entertainment Blvd | (623) 937-3700 |
| Aloft Glendale at Westgate | 6920 N 93rd Ave | (602) 883-3500 |
| Hampton Inn & Suites Glendale-Westgate | 6630 N 95th Ave | (623) 271-7771 |
On the way home west? Buc-ee’s in Goodyear is a short drive south. Coming back in December? Our Christmas lights in Arizona guide lists the West Valley displays, and our things to do in Phoenix guide covers the rest of the Valley. Heading to another venue? See every Phoenix stadium and arena guide for bag rules side by side.
Desert Diamond Arena FAQ
How much is parking at Desert Diamond Arena?
It depends on the event and lot. Prices are set per event and shown on each event page and the arena’s ParkWhiz page. Day-of payment is card only, and prepaid passes are sold on each event page up to one hour before the event.
What size bag can I bring into Desert Diamond Arena?
Bags of any type, color or transparency must be 12″ x 12″ x 6″ or smaller. Some tours set a stricter clutch-only rule, so check the event page.
Is there free parking near Desert Diamond Arena?
Westgate’s district lots are free on non-event days. On arena event days, paid parking runs from 3 hours before the event until 2 hours after, and you get 2 free hours by registering by QR code or texting P4807 to 504504.
What time do Desert Diamond Arena parking lots open?
Arena lots open one hour before doors. The box office opens three hours before showtime.
Can you bring water into Desert Diamond Arena?
Yes, one factory-sealed, non-frozen water bottle up to 17 oz. No other outside food or drink is allowed.
Where is Uber and Lyft drop-off at Desert Diamond Arena?
Set “Desert Diamond Arena” as your destination. Drop-off and pickup are near the AMC Westgate movie theater, a short walk from Gate 4.
Is Desert Diamond Arena the same as Gila River Arena?
Yes. The arena opened in 2003 as Glendale Arena, became Jobing.com Arena in 2006 and Gila River Arena in 2014, and has been Desert Diamond Arena since 2022.
Run a business near Westgate?
Between the arena and the stadium next door, Glendale draws big crowds all year, and every one of those fans is searching for where to eat, park and stay. AZ Charged is a hand-verified Arizona directory with zero pay-to-rank. Get reviewed and get listed.
Sources: Desert Diamond Arena A-Z Guide, Desert Diamond Arena Directions & Parking, Westgate Entertainment District parking, Ticketmaster venue guide (arena history), and local concert coverage syndicated on Yahoo (tour bag rules), all retrieved October 21, 2026. Restaurant and hotel details from Google Business Profiles, September 1, 2026. Policies and prices are set by the venue and can change by event.
Featured photo (taken when the arena was Gila River Arena): Kyvuh, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
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