Roadrunners abandon plans to play in Tempe following cancellation of land auction

TUCSON, AZ (AZFamily) — The Tucson Roadrunners will not play any home games in Tempe during the upcoming American Hockey League (AHL) season, the team announced Monday afternoon.

The team originally planned to play six home games at ASU’s Mullett Arena during the 2024-25 season, but backed out, citing the Arizona State Land Department’s decision (ASLD) last week to postpone a June 27 land auction.

Now all 36 home games will be played at Tucson Arena. The team says fans who have already purchased tickets to games at Mullett Arena will receive a refund later this week.

On Friday, ASLD announced the postponement of the June 27 auction for land near Loop 101 and Scottsdale Road, where Arizona Coyotes President and Governor Alex Meruelo had planned to build a neighborhood entertainment and a multi-million dollar arena.

The problem is that ASLD says the proposed arena will require a special use permit. The state agency is requiring the Coyotes to file the permit before the auction, which has not yet been rescheduled.

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