On April 2, Tucson Roadrunners President Bob Hoffman announced to his team that they had signed a contract to extend their stay in Tucson. 

On April 7, the decision was made public.

“We are excited to officially extend our lease with our partners at the City of Tucson, Rio Nuevo and Legends Global,” Hoffman said in an official statement from the Roadrunners.

The team’s lease was set to expire in the spring 2027, but has now been extended through 2028.

The team has seen massive growth in sales, partnerships and attendance at their games, according to the press release.

“More than 140,000 fans have come through the doors at Tucson Arena this season, and over the franchise’s 10 years, that total number is close to 1.25 million,” according to the release.

Chase Beardsley, a credentialed writer for The Hockey Writers, announced the new contract on X on March 30, though it was not public until April 7. 

The re-signing came amid rumors that the team could move the Grand Sierra Resort Arena being built in Reno, Nevada. That venue is set to open around the same time the Roadrunner’s previous lease at the Tucson Convention Center was set to expire, according to Chris Murray, a writer for Nevada Sports Net.

Instead, the Roadrunners, who have become a pillar of Tucson’s community since their creation in 2016, are staying a while longer.

That’s exciting news for the Congenital Heart Defect Families of Tucson, one of several organizations the Roadrunners support through charitable events.

“We’re thrilled to see the Tucson Roadrunners extending their stay in Tucson — it’s incredibly meaningful for our community, especially since they are one of the few professional sports teams we have locally, bringing highly sought-after, exciting entertainment to our city,” said board member Stacy Lipinczyk.

The Roadrunners have helped create cherished memories for families in Tucson, she said, bringing children with congenital heart defects and their families to games.

Tucson Mayor Regina Romero also expressed gratitude for the Roadrunner’s decision to remain in Tucson. 

“Having such a great team right here in town is both good fun and good business, and I’m very happy to reach such a mutually beneficial agreement,” she was quoted as saying in the press release.

The Roadrunners reached financial milestones that benefitted Tucson this season, she said.

“Recreation and sports tourism are an important part of our economy,” Romero said. 

The team’s accomplishments this season include five of the six highest ticket sales in team history and franchise records for the number of corporate partners and investments and group ticket sales, among others, the team’s press release said.

“We have created and nurtured so many great fans in Southern Arizona for over more than a decade,” Hoffman said in a statement. “And are thrilled to continue the legacy and tradition.”

Arizona Sonoran News is a news service of the University of Arizona School of Journalism.