Childhood Friends Bring First Arizona Sandbox VR to Valley

New virtual reality experience coming to Mesa with plans to expand across Phoenix metro.

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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Childhood friends and Valley natives Tylor Hardy and Andrew Perkinson are opening the first Sandbox VR location in Arizona, starting with a secret studio pop-up in Mesa. Sandbox VR is a first-of-its-kind virtual reality experience that the duo plans to expand across the Phoenix metro area.

Why it matters

The arrival of Sandbox VR, a high-tech and immersive VR entertainment concept, marks a significant milestone for the Phoenix area's growing entertainment and tech scene. As the first Arizona location for the company, it signals increased investment and innovation in the region's virtual reality and experiential offerings.

The details

Hardy and Perkinson, who have been friends since childhood, are bringing Sandbox VR's cutting-edge virtual reality technology and multiplayer experiences to the Valley. The company's first Arizona location will open as a secret studio pop-up in Mesa, before expanding to other Phoenix metro cities. Sandbox VR is known for its full-body tracking, haptic feedback, and cinematic virtual worlds that allow up to six players to explore together.

  • Sandbox VR's first Arizona location will open as a secret studio pop-up in Mesa in February 2026.
  • The company plans to expand the Sandbox VR experience to other cities across the Phoenix metro area.

The players

Tylor Hardy

Childhood friend and co-founder bringing Sandbox VR's first Arizona location to the Valley.

Andrew Perkinson

Childhood friend and co-founder opening the first Sandbox VR in Arizona, starting with a Mesa pop-up.

Sandbox VR

A high-tech virtual reality entertainment company known for its full-body tracking, haptic feedback, and multiplayer virtual experiences.

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What they’re saying

“We're thrilled to bring Sandbox VR's cutting-edge technology and immersive experiences to Arizona. The Valley is the perfect market for us to expand our unique brand of VR entertainment.”

— Tylor Hardy, Co-founder (Phoenix Business Journal)

“Growing up in the Phoenix area, we saw the potential for innovative entertainment concepts like Sandbox VR to thrive. We can't wait to introduce this new level of virtual reality to our community.”

— Andrew Perkinson, Co-founder (Phoenix Business Journal)

What’s next

Sandbox VR plans to open its first permanent Arizona location in Gilbert later this year, following the successful launch of the Mesa pop-up.

The takeaway

The arrival of Sandbox VR, a cutting-edge virtual reality entertainment company, marks a significant milestone for the Phoenix area's growing tech and entertainment scene, signaling increased investment and innovation in the region's immersive experiences.