Glendale Reaches Extension With Coyotes Arena Operator

By Matthew Kling
Published: Wednesday, August 1, 2018 - 6:13pm
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The city of Glendale and the company that operates Gila River Arena, the home of the Arizona Coyotes, announced a deal to extend the arena's management through 2026.

AEG Facilities reached a five-year extension to manage the arena. The group has operated the facility since 2016, and beyond hockey, the venue has secured several world-class concert tours from artists including Drake, Elton John, Coldplay, and Tim McGraw and Faith Hill, as well as Professional Bull Riders (PBR) and UFC events.

While nothing in the agreement has to do with the future of serving as home of the Coyotes, the team praised AEG for their partnership.

“AEG has been a good partner of the Coyotes during its management of Gila River Arena," Coyotes president and CEO Ahron Cohen said in a statement to KJZZ. "As the fellow owner of an NHL franchise, AEG understands and appreciates our goal of providing the best fan experience possible at every one of our games.”

The company owns the Los Angeles Kings and operates several facilities worldwide, including Staples Center in Los Angeles, the home of the Kings, Lakers and Clippers. Glendale City Manager Kevin Phelps echoed the Coyotes' praise of AEG.

“They get hockey," Phelps said. "They understand hockey operations. They understand the complexity of maintaining ice, quick turnaround times when you have multiple events going on.”

Phelps added that as part of the agreement, AEG will install a new state-of-the-art LED lighting system this fall to replace an outdated fixture.

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