Highlights
- Sandbox VR opens its first permanent Arizona location at SanTan Village in Gilbert on May 22, 2026.
- The 4,000-square-foot venue features four private rooms and 11 VR experiences, including Stranger Things and Squid Game titles.
- Reservations made before opening day receive a 30% discount; hours run until midnight on weekends.
- Co-franchisee Tylor Hardy and childhood friend Andrew Perkinson are operating the Gilbert location, per the Phoenix Business Journal.
Sandbox VR will open its first permanent Arizona location at the SanTan Village shopping district in Gilbert on May 22, with pre-opening reservations earning a 30% discount off the booking price, KTAR reported.
The venue spans more than 4,000 square feet and includes four private rooms accommodating two to six guests each. Parties of any size and corporate events are welcome. Guests choose from 11 VR experiences, among them "Age of Dinosaurs," "Stranger Things: Catalyst" and "Squid Game Virtuals." Hours are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 10 a.m. to midnight Friday through Sunday.
The Gilbert opening follows a Mesa pop-up that debuted in March, giving the Valley its first look at the concept. The permanent Gilbert franchise is operated by childhood friends Tylor Hardy and Andrew Perkinson, the Phoenix Business Journal reported in February.
The company counts former Phoenix Suns player Kevin Durant, Justin Timberlake, Katy Perry and Will Smith among its investors, according to KTAR.
The Gilbert Independent and Axios Phoenix have also confirmed the May 22 opening date at SanTan Village.
Doors open May 22.
Sources
Every factual claim in this article traces to one of the sources below. See how we work for the editorial process.
- ktar.com retrieved 10/05/2026 23:53
- Phoenix Business Journal retrieved 10/05/2026 23:53
- yourvalley.net retrieved 10/05/2026 23:53
- axios.com retrieved 10/05/2026 23:53
Authored by The Scottsdale Signal. Drafted by AI from primary-source material under our beat-specific editorial guides; reviewed by humans before publish under our five-gate process. Sources retrieved at 10/05/2026 23:53. Every claim traces to a source.
