They won the league championship in 2023, defeating the Charleston Battery 3–2 on penalty kicks after a 1–1 draw in regulation time.

[4] On March 13, 2014, Kyle Eng, owner of an advertising agency, launched the franchise and named it Arizona United SC.

[5][6][7][8] In just 178 days after the franchise was awarded by the USL Pro, Arizona United hired a front office staff and coach, put together a roster, secured a stadium, played 28 regular season games, reached the fourth round of the US Open Cup and was in contention for a playoff spot until the next-to-last week of the season.

[20][21][22] In the third round, United defeated Oklahoma City Energy FC of USL Pro 2–1 in extra time May 28 at the Peoria Sports Complex.

Gyasi Zardes scored two goals in the second half two minutes apart after Matt Kassel gave United a 1–0 lead at halftime.

[34] Brett M. Johnson, founder and CEO of Benevolent Capital and managing director of Zealot Networks, purchased a minority share of the team.

[37][38][39] An investment group of music artists and executives led by Grammy Award winning DJ, record producer and rapper/songwriter Diplo purchased a minority stake in Arizona United on January 27, 2016.

[43] On August 31, 2016, team founder Kyle Eng sold his majority share to an investment group led by Berke Bakay, president and CEO of Kona Grill.

[54][55] Shaun Wright-Phillips, who played for Manchester City, Chelsea, New York Red Bulls and the England national team, was signed on February 24.

During the unbeaten streak, goalkeeper Josh Cohen earned 6 shutouts in 8 games, which gave him the USL Player of the Month award for September.

A penalty kick shootout won by Swope Park Rangers eliminated Phoenix after playing to a 1–1 tie.

[69][70][71] Advantage Sports Union Ltd., led by Alex Zheng, purchased a share of Phoenix Rising on February 10, 2018, to bolster its MLS bid.

[72][73][74] Phoenix Rising FC concluded an international cooperation agreement with Galatasaray SK of Turkey on April 5, 2019.

[75][76][77] From May 5 to September 14, 2019, Phoenix Rising FC won 20 consecutive matches – setting a league and North American record for the longest winning streak.

Rising FC earned the USL Championship Regular Season Title on September 28 after playing New Mexico United to a 2–2 draw.

Prior to the resumption of play, The rules of competition were changed, placing teams in "groups" to decrease team-to-team contact as well as reduce travel costs.

On October 24, 2020, Phoenix Rising earned its second Western Conference Championship, moving past El Paso Locomotive FC in kicks-from-the-mark (4–2) after playing to a 1–1 draw.

Rising was only in contention to host the final after San Diego Loyal walked off the field during its September 30 match in protest of Junior Flemmings directing a homophobic slur at one of its players.

Due to the ensuing outcry, Rising announced that if it advanced to the Championship Final, it would give up home field advantage to the Eastern Conference champion.

[87] Winger Junior Flemmings earned the Golden Boot for scoring 14 goals in 14 appearances prior to being suspended at the end of the season.

[92] Brandon McCarthy, a minority-owner, was accused of questioning the veracity of accusations made against Flemmings, suggesting in a direct message with another Twitter user that the Loyal, who forfeited a match against the LA Galaxy II in the days prior over the alleged use of a racial slur against a Black Loyal player,[93] planned to forfeit the match to continue making a statement on social justice.

They won their first game at the new, 10,000 seat capacity Wild Horse Pass stadium by defeating San Diego Loyal SC 4–1 on April 30, 2021.

There are two independent supporters groups of Phoenix Rising FC: "Los Bandidos Football Firm",[109] and "Union 602".

[111] The club announced, beginning with the 2021 USL Championship season, it would move to the Phoenix Rising Soccer Complex at Wild Horse Pass in Chandler, and closing the temporary stadium at Casino Arizona Field.

[143] On March 3, 2022, Rising FC signed an agreement with Bally Sports Arizona to broadcast 32 of 34 regular-season games for the 2022 season.