City of Surprise, AZ

The City of Surprise, Arizona, is a vibrant and rapidly growing municipality located in Maricopa County, approximately 45 minutes northwest of downtown Phoenix. Established in 1938 and incorporated as a city in 1960, Surprise has experienced significant population growth, reaching 143,148 residents by 2020.

Surprise offers a diverse range of amenities and services to its residents and visitors. The city's Civic and Recreation Campus spans 250 acres and includes the 25-court Surprise Tennis and Racquet Complex, the largest in the southwest, attracting both tennis legends and United States Tennis Association tournaments.

Other campus amenities include:

• An urban fishing lake
• A 37-acre community park
• A library
• An aquatic center
• The state’s first adaptive recreation field

Sports

Surprise is the spring training home of Major League Baseball's Kansas City Royals and Texas Rangers, who utilize Surprise Stadium for their activities. The city also hosts the Arizona Fall League team, the Surprise Saguaros, and is the home field for the Ottawa University Spirit.

Education

The Dysart Unified School District serves most of the city, with 24,000 students across 26 schools. Additionally, Ottawa University opened a campus in Surprise in 2017, featuring a 35,000-square-foot recreation facility, student housing, and a 97,000-square-foot competitive athletic field.

Arts and Culture

Surprise is home to a flourishing arts scene, including several art galleries such as one in Surprise City Hall. The performing arts center, “The Vista,” hosts nationally recognized musicians, performances, and comedians.

Governance and Transportation

The city is governed by a mayor-council system, with the current mayor being Kevin Sartor. Surprise is served by Loop 303 and U.S. Route 60, providing convenient access to the greater Phoenix area.

Public transportation includes:

• Valley Metro Bus
• WeRIDE demand-responsive transport service

Locations

• Surprise, AZ, USA