Do you have a Devin Booker fan? Or just a kid who loves basketball?
Are you heading to a Phoenix Suns game?
If so, let your kids try to get a player’s autograph before the game!
I attended a Phoenix Suns vs. LA Lakers game and didn’t even have autographs on my radar because I thought it would be impossible.
Our family attends WNBA games and my boys have a blast trying to get autographs, but I figured it would be tough to do for the NBA.
We were pleasantly surprised that the Phoenix Suns make it possible for kids to get autographs.
Here’s a quick guide to how my boys got autographs at a Suns game. Sure, it’s not ‘official’ or guaranteed, but hopefully it helps your kid(s) get an autograph or two!
Do I Need to Sit Close to the Court?
Nope. We didn’t – our seats were in the 200 level. You can walk closer to the court to watch warmups (but you can’t go courtside without showing a ticket for the section).
When Should We Arrive?
Enter the arena as soon as you can. Doors typically open 90 minutes before, but you can also try calling or even stop in at the arena during the day to ask when the doors open. We’ve done the latter at other arenas and sometimes found that they’ll open a little early on some days. It’s worth checking if you can stop by before game time.
When you arrive, don’t dawdle. You’ll have time to shop for jerseys or scope out the hot dogs after trying to get an autograph.
Where Do We Go?
We spoke to a lovely staff member when we arrived (around 5:15pm for a 7:00 tip off) and she told us to go to Sections 108/109 for an autograph.
The Suns organization is fabulous – they block off the lower area of Sections 108/109 pregame for kids! So, send your bambini to the lower part of Sections 108/109 and let them wait there for an autograph.
You want them to get close to the corner of the section because the players will enter the tunnel. So, either be right at the corner, or along the lower part of the railing. If you’re walking down the section toward the court, you want to be on the left side of the tunnel.
Here’s a photo, and you want to be standing by the arrows. When we were there, players from both teams pretty much stuck to this little corner when signing autographs.
Tip: If you have a young child, have them duck down and get right up against the railing.
As a parent, you can stand/sit nearby, but you need to be ready to move if the person sitting in your seat arrives.
Good To Know: While you’re waiting, you get a prime viewing point for watching the players warm up!
Our timing for getting autographs at a Tuesday game in December:
- We arrived at the bottom of Sections 108/109 with about 95 minutes left until tip-off. There were about 10 other kids waiting at this point, and my boys were able to get a spot on the bottom row, next to the tunnel.
- They got their first autographs with about 70 minutes left until tip-off. More with 53 minutes left until tip-off (including Devin Booker in this group).
- With 40 minutes left until tip-off, the staff asks the kids to leave and let ticket holders take their seats. I spoke to staff and they said that players have usually finished warmups and signing autographs by then, so the timing works out well.
Good To Know: We had players for the Lakers and the Suns come over and give autographs, but I’ve also read that that’s not always the case. Depending on which side the away team chooses for warmups, you may want to plan waiting at the corner of section 120, on the opposite side. The only thing is, I don’t know if that’s also a ‘reserved for kids’ section. So, my advice in this post works if your kids will be happy with any player’s autograph. If you’re seeking an autograph for a player from a particular team, check in with the staff when you arrive to find out which section you should wait at. Still, there’s a chance the situation will be like ours and you’ll be visited by players from both teams.
More Tips for Getting an Autograph at a Suns Game
If your kids are really set on getting an autograph, think about attending a game against a visiting team without superstars. While you’ll still have Suns fans pining for an autograph, you may have less away fans in the sections trying to get one.
Bring a pen (Sharpie) and something to sign. I had no idea it would be so easy for my boys to get autographs at an NBA game, so we were completely unprepared. I found a piece of paper in the lobby and my youngest had his warmup jacket signed. Kids had jerseys, basketballs, and trading cards to be signed.
Ask someone if you can’t figure out where to go. We found the staff at the arena to be very kind, friendly, and helpful.
Best of luck – I hope your kids are able to get an autograph. And, enjoy the game!
