Glendale Secured Three-Year TKO Group Partnership
The city has finalized a deal to host seven major sporting events to drive local economic activity.
Updated on Sept. 28, 2026 in Mixed Martial Arts
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Glendale has entered into a three-year partnership with TKO Group Holdings to host seven major sporting events. These events will be held at State Farm Stadium and Desert Diamond Arena to help boost regional tourism.
Why it matters
City officials expect these high-profile events to increase hotel occupancy and boost sales tax revenue, which helps fund essential municipal services. The partnership leverages successful precedents like the Noche UFC event to anchor future economic growth.
The partnership includes a slate of seven major events spanning the UFC, WWE, PBR, and Zuffa Boxing brands. These competitions will be hosted across State Farm Stadium and Desert Diamond Arena over the next three years.
The players
TKO Group Holdings
This is a global sports and entertainment company that operates major brands including the UFC, WWE, and PBR.
Arizona Sports & Events Alliance
This organization works to integrate major event portfolios with regional initiatives across the state.
The details
The city is financing the initiative using bed tax dollars collected from short-term lodging and hotel stays. The Arizona Sports & Events Alliance is coordinating the TKO event portfolio alongside the city's broader master planning study for the local entertainment district.
Timeline
The partnership covers a three-year duration.
Season Trajectory
The city's new partnership follows the performance benchmarks established by the Noche UFC gate record to anchor its long-term economic strategy. This commitment secures a consistent pipeline of high-profile matches that shifts the city's standing as a premier destination for combat sports.
The hosting of these seven events is projected to drive consistent demand for local hotel and short-term lodging through the collection of city bed taxes. Residents should anticipate increased foot traffic and potential transit adjustments around State Farm Stadium and Desert Diamond Arena during these dates.
The takeaway
The city aims to utilize the high-grossing potential of TKO-affiliated events to create a sustainable revenue stream for public services. Residents should watch for upcoming event announcements as the city completes its master planning study for the district.
Further reading
Learn more about the local sports landscape at Mixed Martial Arts.
Source note: This article includes information reported by abc15 Arizona.
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