Arizona Coyotes vs. Pittsburgh Penguins
The Coyotes are having the best season of any professional sports team in the Valley. Their next task is to take on Pittsburgh and eventual Hall-of-Famer Sydney Crosby. The first 7,500 fans to attend get a Trash-Talking Tyson Nash plush presented by Fox Sports Arizona.
Gila River Arena, 9400 W. Maryland Avenue, Glendale, 623.772.3800, nhl.com/coyotes/, Friday, January 18, 7 p.m., tickets start at $65.
Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon
A marathon and half marathon run to the beat of rock ‘n’ roll – literally – through Phoenix, Scottsdale and Tempe. Participants run to bands performing along the route. The annual event, which also includes a Kids Rock! Race, kicks off with a free two-day health and fitness expo at the Phoenix Convention Center.
Various times and distances, visit runrocknroll.com, Friday, January 18 to Sunday, January 20, $28-$142.
Phoenix Suns vs. Portland Trailblazers
Suns guard Devin Booker will likely matchup against stars in Trailblazer guards Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum in a battle of young talented scorers. The first 5,000 fans in attendance will also receive a Suns Rally Towel.
Talking Stick Resort Arena, 201 E. Jefferson Street, Phoenix, 602.379.2000, nba.com/suns/tickets, Thursday, January 24, 7 p.m., tickets start at $9.
U.S. Men’s National Team vs. Panama
The U.S. Men’s National Team will open its 2019 schedule with a friendly competition against regional foe Panama. It is the first game with coach Gregg Berhalter at the helm of the MNT.
State Farm Stadium, 1 Cardinals Drive, Glendale, statefarmstadium.com, Sunday, January 27, 6 p.m., ticket prices vary.
Royal Rumble
One of the WWE’s “Big Four” comes to Chase Field with the likes of Daniel Bryan, The Miz, AJ Styles and Dean Ambrose in tow. This battle royale features wrestlers entering at timed intervals. Check out the Fan Fest at Phoenix Convention Center, NXT, Raw and SmackDown, too. Get all the info at wwe.com.
Chase Field, 401 E. Jefferson Street, Phoenix, 1.800.745.3000, ticketmaster.com, Sunday, January 27, 4 p.m., tickets start at $26.50.
Waste Management Phoenix Open
The 2018 Waste Management Phoenix Open, won by Gary Woodland in a playoff, saw record attendance, social media engagement and charitable impact. Held at TPC Scottsdale and known for its famous coliseum-style 16th hole, the Waste Management Phoenix Open continues to shatter attendance records, with the 2018 event drawing a weekly total of 720,000 fans, nearly 63,000 more than the previous year.
TPC Scottsdale, 17020 N. Hayden Road, Scottsdale, 480.585.4334, wmphoenixopen.com, Monday, January 28 to Sunday, February 3, various times, tickets start at $45.
ASU Sun Devils vs. Arizona Wildcats
In-state rivals ASU and Arizona go head to head at Wells Fargo Arena as both will likely be playing for seeding and an NCAA Tournament spot. The Wildcats defeated ASU, 77-70, in the two teams’ last meeting.
Wells Fargo Arena, 600 E. Veterans Way, Tempe, 480.727.0000, thesundevils.com, Thursday, January 31, 7 p.m., tickets start at $65.
Phoenix Suns vs. Atlanta Hawks
The Suns host Atlanta for the first and only time of the season, and both teams will likely be primed for a top pick in the upcoming NBA Draft. The first 2,500 kids will receive a free Deandre Ayton Growth Poster sponsored by Arizona Milk Producers.
Talking Stick Resort Arena, 201 E. Jefferson Street, Phoenix, 602.379.2000, nba.com/suns/tickets, Saturday, February 2, 7 p.m., tickets start at $24.
Phoenix Suns vs. Houston Rockets
Phoenix hosts championship-contender Houston in a Western Conference battle. Besides seeing defending MVP James Harden, the first 5,000 fans will receive a Josh Jackson bobblehead.
Talking Stick Resort Arena, 201 E. Jefferson Street, Phoenix, 602.379.2000, nba.com/suns/tickets, Monday, February 4, 7 p.m., tickets start at $30.
Diamondbacks Fan Fest
Come celebrate all things baseball with Diamondbacks staff, fans and everything in between at Salt River Fields. Activities will include opportunities for player autographs and photos, inflatable toys, batting cages, face painting and various other baseball-related activities. The coolest thing? The yard sale where everything from bobbleheads to jackets are sold at a major discount.
Salt River Fields, 7555 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale, 480.270.5000, mlb.com/dbacks/fans/fan-fest, Saturday, February 9, noon, free admission.
Celebrity Game Night
Hall of Fame quarterback Kurt Warner and his wife, Brenda, will honor legendary Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald at their second annual Celebrity Game Night. The Warners are honoring Fitzgerald for his impact on and off the field, and will be joined by celebrities as well as current and former professional athletes at this premier event. The Van Buren will be converted into a giant game room, full of favorites such as giant Jenga, pop-a-shot and air hockey.
The Van Buren, 401 W. Van Buren Street, Phoenix, Friday, February 15, 6:30 to 9 p.m., bit.ly/2GYJMWu, tickets start at $250.
Words by Eric Newman.
