Glendale, Arizona, is home to one of the most technologically sophisticated stadiums in the United States, the State Farm Stadium. This multi-purpose stadium is home to the NFL’s Arizona Cardinals, and it is the first stadium with a retractable playing field.
However, the stadium doesn’t only play host to football games. It also hosts concerts, WWE, and other entertainment events. With that in mind, let’s dive deeper into the history of State Farm Stadium.
- State Farm Stadium: Home of the Arizona Cardinals
- State Farm Stadium: Key Facts
- Where Is State Farm Stadium Located?
- The Best Way to Get to State Farm Stadium
- Parking Near State Farm Stadium
- The Best Restaurants Near State Farm Stadium
- The Best Bars Near State Farm Stadium
- The Best Hotels Near State Farm Stadium
- The History of State Farm Stadium
- Where to Get Tickets for State Farm Stadium
- Does State Farm Stadium Offer Tours?
- Conclusion
State Farm Stadium: Home of the Arizona Cardinals
The Arizona Cardinals play their home games in the State Farm Facility, the first stadium in franchise history they have not had to share with another team. The football team was founded in Chicago in 1898, so the Cardinals have a long history.
At Comiskey Park, the team shared the Chicago White Sox’s home and played games here (MLB). They relocated to St. Louis in 1960, when they shared Busch Stadium with the Cardinals (MLB).
After the 1987 season, they relocated to Arizona, where the Arizona State Sun Devils played at Sun Devil Stadium (NCAA). The Cardinals began looking for a new stadium in the late 1990s.
After several years of discussion, the Arizona State Tourism and Sports Authority decided to build a new retractable roof stadium in Glendale in August 2002. Thus State Farm Stadium’s construction began, and in 2006 it opened its doors as the Cardinals’ new home.
State Farm Stadium: Key Facts
| Address | State Farm Stadium |
| Capacity | 63,400 |
| Club seats | 7,505 |
| Team | Arizona Cardinals |
| Working hours | Monday-Friday: 10 am – 6 pm Saturday: 10 am – 2:30 pm |
| Contact information | Main information: +1 623 433 7101 Main Ticket Office: +1 602 379 0102 Fax: +1 623 433 7199 Lost and found: +1 623 433 7147 Email: [email protected] |
| Website | https://www.statefarmstadium.com |
Where Is State Farm Stadium Located?
State Farm Stadium sits in Glendale’s brand-new sports and entertainment area, the Westgate Entertainment District, off the AZ Loop 101 Freeway between Bethany Home Road / Cardinals Way and Glendale Avenue.
The stadium is only 20 minutes from downtown Phoenix. More than 350,000 square feet of conference, special event, and show space are available at this top-notch location. Besides being the home of the NFL Arizona Cardinals, State Farm Stadium also hosts the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl.
The stadium has gotten plenty of significant recognition due to its state-of-the-art facilities. More notably, the stadium’s recognitions include “Event Site of the Year” by Event Solutions Magazine in 2007, NFL’s best playing surface in 2008, and Best New Venue of the 2000s by Sports Illustrated.
The Best Way to Get to State Farm Stadium
If you do not plan on driving to State Farm Stadium, the best way to get there is by taking the Line 573 bus, a taxi, or a ride-share service like Uber or Lyft.
The stadium’s designated RideShare drop-off and pick-up location for most events is the Black Lot. The Black Lot is located south of State Farm Stadium across Bethany Home Road / Cardinals Way.
Driving directions
If you are driving into State Farm Stadium, the facility recommends using the directions available on the parking pass you bought.
The stadium advises against using directional maps, such as Google Maps, Apple Maps, or Waze, as they will result in a longer commute. This is because directional maps do not consider traffic patterns, special road closures, and access routes.
Arriving from the south
Take the AZ Loop 101 Freeway North. Exit at Bethany Home Road / Cardinals Way and make a right off the exit. The stadium will be on the left.
Arriving from the north
Take the AZ Loop 101 South. Exit at Glendale Avenue and make a right onto the Avenue. Make the first left onto 99th Avenue, then another left onto Maryland Avenue, and continue over the bridge. State Farm Stadium will be on the right.
Arriving from the East Valley via I-10 Freeway
Follow the I-10 Freeway towards Los Angeles, and take the AZ Loop 101 Freeway North. Exit at Bethany Home Road / Cardinals Way and make a right off the exit. State Farm Stadium will be on the left.
Arriving from the East Valley using Surface Streets
Take Glendale Avenue West to 91st Avenue. Turn left onto 91st Avenue, and the stadium will be on the right.
Arriving from the West Valley via I-10 Freeway
Follow the I-10 East towards Phoenix, and take the AZ Loop 101 Freeway North. Exit at Bethany Home Road / Cardinals Way and make a right off the exit. The stadium is on the left.
Arriving from the West Valley using Surface Streets
Take Glendale Avenue East to 95th Avenue. Turn left onto 95th Avenue, and State Farm Stadium will be on the left.
Parking Near State Farm Stadium
There are over 24,000 parking spots available in the many car parks around State Farm Stadium. With 2,000 accessible parking spots, you must have a valid parking state-issued hang tag or a license plate. The ADA parking spots are available on a first-come, first-served basis, so if you intend to use one, ensure to get there early.
On non-event days, parking in the stadium is free for people visiting the Stadium Ticket Office, the Arizona Cardinals Team Store, and ticket holders for the behind-the-scenes private tours.
Stadium parking rates are $20 on select State Farm Stadium event days. Additionally, there are 60 metered premium parking spaces around the stadium. The charge for the metered spaces is $3 per hour up to eight hours and a flat rate of $25 for more than eight hours.
Stadium parking
| Parking lot | Location |
| Arizona Cardinals Parking | Arizona Cardinals Parking |
| North Parking | North Parking |
| East Preferred | East Preferred |
| West Preferred | West Preferred |
| Yellow Lot | Yellow lot |
Parking nearby
| Parking | Location | Distance |
| West (parking lot) | West | 0.2 mile |
| SP+ Parking (parking garage) | SP+ Parking | 0.3 mile |
| Gila River Arena – Lot J (parking lot) | Gila River Arena – Lot J | 0.4 mile |
The Best Restaurants Near State Farm Stadium
Kabuki Japanese Restaurant
The Kabuki Japanese Restaurant is located on the second floor of the Westgate Entertainment District and is 0.4 miles or an eight-minute walk from State Farm Stadium. The restaurant is part of the Kaizen Dining Group (KDG), founded by President and CEO David Lee.
Kabuki’s menu is led by Chef Rod and Culinary Director Rodelio Aglibot, so you will surely find delicious traditional and innovative Japanese food on the menu.
Kabuki also features an award-winning kid’s menu and a special vegetarian and gluten-free menu. Complementing Japanese cuisine, Kabuki has an impressive drinks program full of wines, beer, classic cocktails, and Japanese-inspired drinks.
Additional information
| Location | Kabuki Japanese Restaurant |
| Phone number | +1 623 772 9832 |
| Price range | $$ |
| Website | http://www.kabukirestaurants.com |
NakedQ BBQ
NakedQ BBQ is a casual barbeque restaurant located in Westgate Entertainment District, 0.6 miles from State Farm Stadium, or a 13-minute walk. The restaurant was created with the intention of providing a taste of familiarity to its visitors. At NakedQ BBQ, you can eat all the barbeque you want to eat.
The menu features BBQ according to recipes from all over the country. There are ribs, pork, brisket, turkey, links, and chicken, all rubbed, smoked, and served naked (without sauce). You can choose your own sauce, from traditional sweet and spicy to NakedQ BBQ’s special North Carolina-style vinegar sauce.
Additional information
| Location | NakedQ BBQ |
| Phone number | +1 623 230 2199 |
| Price range | $$ |
| Website | http://www.nakedq.com |
Manna Korean BBQ
If you are in the mood for Korean BBQ, head over to Manna Korean BBQ on the first floor of the Westgate Entertainment District. This modern all-you-can-eat restaurant is 0.5 miles from State Farm Stadium, only a 10-minute walk.
The atmosphere in Manna Korean BBQ is further enhanced by neon lighting. At the same time, the menu invites you with mouth-watering dishes like teriyaki chadol, spicy pork belly, spicy baby octopus, Cajun chicken, Cajun shrimp, beef bulgogi, boneless marinated ribs, and many more.
Additional information
| Location | Manna BBQ |
| Phone number | +1 623 877 5007 |
| Price range | $$ |
| Website | https://www.mannabbqshabu.com |
The Best Bars Near State Farm Stadium
Bar Louie
Bar Louie is a gastropub located 0.4 miles from State Farm Stadium on the first floor of the Westgate Entertainment District. The gastropub’s motto is “Eat. Drink. Be Happy.”, which they live up to by providing visitors with incredible service and a comfortable atmosphere to relax in.
Bar Louie has something for everyone’s taste, from microbrews to signature cocktails. Try out some of the gastropub’s signature margaritas, cocktails, martinis, and sangrias. Or you can order a glass of your favorite wine from the wine list.
Additional information
| Location | Bar Louie – Westgate Entertainment District |
| Phone number | +1 602 609 5500 |
| Price range | $$ |
| Website | https://www.barlouie.com |
Twin Peaks
The sports bar Twin Peaks in Glendale, AZ, is the perfect place for some pre-game drinks as it is 0.5 miles from State Farm Stadium, only 11 minutes on foot. The bar is a sports fans’ heaven, with TVs mounted from all angles to watch football, basketball, and UFC fights.
Watch the game with a glass of traditional draft beer served at a below-freezing temperature of 29°F. Twin Peaks has drinks on its menu, even for those that are not fans of beer, including finely aged bourbon poured over a crystal clear ice ball and the signature Twin Peaks cocktail.
Additional information
| Location | Twin Peaks |
| Phone number | +1 623 233 5700 |
| Price range | $$ |
| Website | https://twinpeaksrestaurant.com/locations/glendale-az |
The Best Hotels Near State Farm Stadium
Hampton Inn & Suites Phoenix Glendale-Westgate
The Hampton Inn & Suites Phoenix Glendale-Westgate hotel offers practical services and conveniences in a prime position close to eateries, shops, and events in Glendale. This three-star hotel is 0.3 miles or 6 minutes walking distance from the State Farm Stadium.
The University of Phoenix Stadium and the Desert Diamond Arena are also close to the Hampton Inn & Suites Phoenix Glendale-Westgate. The Tanger Outlet Mall is one of many stores, eateries, and entertainment venues in the surrounding Westgate Entertainment District, also called the Times Square of the West.
Before working out in the fitness center or unwinding by the outdoor pool, guests at the Hampton Inn & Suites can enjoy a complimentary breakfast.
All the rooms in the hotel are equipped with a refrigerator, a microwave, a flat-screen TV, and a private bathroom with complimentary toiletries.
Additional information
| Location | Hampton Inn & Suites Phoenix Glendale-Westgate |
| Phone number | +1 623 271 7771 |
| Star rating | 3-star hotel |
| Website | https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/phxglhx-hampton-suites-phoenix-glendale-westgate |
Renaissance Phoenix Glendale Hotel & Spa
The Renaissance Phoenix Glendale Hotel & Spa is just a short two-minute stroll from State Farm. The Westgate Entertainment District, Desert Diamond Arena, and Tanger Outlets are also near the hotel. Each guest room in the hotel features cable TV, a small refrigerator, a tea and coffee maker, and air conditioning.
There is an outdoor and indoor pool on the hotel premises and a 24-hour fitness center. Manicures, pedicures, massages, and facials are just a few of the spa services that Spa Botanica provides. The spa also features a steam room.
Southwest American food is provided during breakfast, lunch, and dinner at Soleil, the hotel’s onsite restaurant. In addition to beer, drinks, and appetizers are offered at Ray’s lobby bar. Visitors can eat at the restaurant or have a drink in the lobby bar.
Additional information
| Location | Renaissance Phoenix Glendale Hotel & Spa |
| Phone number | +1 623 937 3700 |
| Star rating | 4-star hotel |
| Website | https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/phxgr-renaissance-phoenix-glendale-hotel-and-spa |
The History of State Farm Stadium
The stadium’s construction started in July 2003. It was initially anticipated that the stadium would be finished in time for the 2005 NFL season, but construction took until 2006.
On September 10, 2006, the Cardinals welcomed the San Francisco 49ers to the stadium for their first game. The stadium can hold 63,400 football spectators and has a contemporary, futuristic appearance.
Before its opening and through the 2017 season, State Farm Stadium was known as the University of Phoenix Stadium. It was given a new name prior to the 2018 season when the Cardinals and State Farm Insurance reached an 18-year naming rights agreement.
In addition to serving as the Arizona Cardinals’ home field, the stadium also played host to the NCAA Final Four Championships, Super Bowl XLII in 2008, Super Bowl XLVII in 2015, the Fiesta Bowl for college football annually, and the Super Bowl 57 in 2023.
The state’s Tourism and Sports Authority funded 75% of the stadium, while the Cardinals contributed 25%, or $109 million, including cost overruns. Additionally, the Cardinals spent $18.5 million to purchase the stadium’s site.
Retractable roof and playing field
The retractable roof at State Farm Stadium comprises two 180-foot-long by 240-foot-wide panels that can be opened in the cooler months to enjoy the sunshine and closed in the summer to provide air conditioning.
Even when the roof panels are closed, the fabric roof lets light into the stadium, giving it a feeling of openness and airiness. It takes about 12 minutes to open or close the roof system.
The $455 million stadium has retractable sides and a playing field that can move in and out of the building, in addition to its retractable roof. The special rollout natural grass playing field spans 234 feet wide by 403 feet long and weighs 18.9 million pounds.
The retractable field is inside the stadium on game days and outside the other days of the year to receive the necessary sunlight and water for the grass to grow. The field tray is slid into and out of the building using a total of 462 steel wheels that are mounted on 13 parallel steel rails.
Where to Get Tickets for State Farm Stadium
According to the official State Farm Stadium website, you can buy tickets from the State Farm Stadium Ticket Office or at SeatGeek.com. The State Farm Stadium Ticket Office is located on the northeast corner of the stadium campus near Gate 2.
You should refrain from buying tickets from third-party ticketing platforms as there is no guarantee that the tickets are legitimate. State Farm Stadium will not accept false tickets.
Does State Farm Stadium Offer Tours?
State Farm Stadium currently accepts booking for a limited number of tours during the spring. So, if you want to explore one of the most unique stadiums in the country, hurry up and book your tour ahead of time.
During your tour, you will be able to see how the retractable field and roof work and visit the facilities of this state-of-the-art building.
If you do not have the chance to book an in-person tour, you can always visit the stadium’s website for the full virtual tour of State Farm Stadium.
Conclusion
In conclusion, State Farm Stadium is a true technological marvel and one of the first of its kind due to its retractable field and state-of-the-art facilities. Even better with its convenient location, if you attend an event, you will be close to many shops, eateries, and entertainment options.
