The stadium replaced the outdated Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum as it was Built in the regional population epicenter of the southwestern United States, the arena opened on June 6, 1992, at a construction cost of $89 million.

It is currently the home arena for the Phoenix Suns of the National Basketball Association (NBA), the Phoenix Mercury of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA), and the Indoor Football League's Arizona Rattlers. The ECHL's Phoenix RoadRunners played there from 2005 until they ceased operations at the conclusion of the 2008–09 season. Additionally, the National Hockey League (NHL)'s Phoenix Coyotes (now the Arizona Coyotes) played their first 7+ seasons at the arena following their arrival in Phoenix on July 1, 1996.

Located one block away from Chase Field, home of the Arizona Diamondbacks, the arena is 1 million square feet (93,000 m2) in size on an 11-acre (4.5 ha) site. These two major league sports venues are half of those used by Phoenix area professional teams, the other two being State Farm Stadium and Gila River Arena in the neighboring Phoenix suburb of Glendale.

Footprint Center is undergoing the second significant renovation in its history. The Phoenix City Council approved the plan on January 23, 2019, involving the arena, with the Phoenix Suns paying up to $80 million alongside any overrun costs. The first renovation was completed in March 2003 that had an 16,000-square-foot (1,500 m2) air conditioned glass-enclosed atrium built on the northwest side of the arena. That $67 million project was constructed to keep patrons cool while waiting in line for tickets or spending time inside the building before events. The arena upgrades have been done as part of the Suns' plan to keep it economically competitive after Gila River Arena opened. Former Suns owner Jerry Colangelo originally thought of the renovations after visiting Staples Center in Los Angeles and envisioned a similar entertainment district in Phoenix.

🏟️