Mountain America Stadium: Guide for Visiting Fans

The light rail is the single best decision you'll make all day. Fans can ride the Valley Metro Rail A Line and hop off just west of the stadium at the Veterans Way/College Ave station — it's a five-minute walk to the gates from there. The Tempe Streetcar also serves Mountain America Stadium from the Marina Heights stop on the north side of the football stadium. From Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport (PHX), you can connect to the light rail in under 10 minutes — total travel time to the stadium runs about 25–30 minutes, and you'll bypass every traffic headache in the process. Valley Metro rail runs 365 days a year, 20+ hours a day, with 12-minute peak frequency during peak hours , and adds service for big events.

If you're driving, for parking on the north side of Mountain America Stadium, use Rio Salado Drive to approach your lots; if you're parking south of the stadium, use E. University Drive to reach Novus Structure, Fulton Center, or the Stadium Structure. From the Loop 101, exit University Drive (Exit 52). Figure 30–45 minutes of real post-game sitting in traffic if you're in a car, versus walking onto the next train.

For rideshare, the stadium is easy enough to find on any app, but build in surge time. Drop-off and pickup zones fill fast — the north side near Rio Salado is generally cleaner for pickup than the crush at the south gates.

Light rail is, again, the right answer. The Veterans Way/College Ave station sits just west of the stadium and trains run frequently post-game with added service. Expect a 10–15 minute wait at the platform for the first departure after the final whistle — trains will be packed. If you wait 20–25 minutes after the game ends and grab a water from a nearby vendor, you'll get a far more comfortable ride. The Valley Metro adds post-game trains, so frequency stays reasonable.

Driving: The north lots via Rio Salado clear faster than the south structures because Rio Salado connects directly to the Loop 202 without threading through surface streets. Realistically, plan 30–45 minutes to reach a moving road from the moment the final whistle blows if you leave immediately. If you can wait 30 minutes inside the stadium or at a nearby bar before heading to your car, you'll save most of that.

Rideshare: Surge pricing is real and hits fast — expect 1.5–2.5x on a big-game night. The single best move: walk four to six blocks north toward Tempe Town Lake or south toward University Drive before requesting your ride. You'll be off the immediate stadium footprint, surge drops noticeably, and your driver can actually reach you. Do not try to get picked up on Veterans Way directly — it's blocked and your driver will be stuck.

Opinionated tip: Take the light rail both ways and spend the post-game hour at a Mill Avenue bar. You'll get better beer, avoid the traffic entirely, and the rail is back to normal frequency within 40 minutes of the final whistle.

General parking was discounted to $20 as part of ASU's game-day enhancements , which is a genuinely good deal by college football standards. The Novus Structure, Fulton Center, and Stadium Structure are the main options south of the venue along University Drive, while Lot 6 and the Novus Structure are accessible by turning left onto Rural Road from the north approach.

Parking lots typically open 90 minutes before an event begins, and it's a good idea to arrive at least an hour early to find a spot since prime parking spots fill up quickly. For ADA parking, park in Lot 59 or designated ADA sections — wheelchair-accessible carts are available to transport guests from these lots to the stadium.

The honest advice: unless you're tailgating and have a reason to drive, take the light rail. If you don't want to deal with parking, the light rail is your best option — it's easy parking farther away, and when you leave, there's going to be less traffic than right at the stadium.

Stay in downtown Tempe, specifically in the half-mile radius around Mill Avenue and Tempe Town Lake. You're walking distance from the stadium, from every pre-game bar worth visiting, and from the light rail in case you want to day-trip into Phoenix. Near the venue, you can find the AC Hotel Phoenix Tempe/Downtown, Graduate Tempe on East Apache, and Hyatt Place Tempe/Phoenix. The Graduate Tempe leans into the college town vibe and is reliably lively on game weekends. The AC Hotel is cleaner and quieter — better if you want to escape the post-game chaos.

Budget travelers can look at options a few stops up the light rail in Phoenix proper, which cuts hotel costs noticeably, though you'll add transit time. Avoid booking out in Scottsdale for a game — it sounds close on a map but adds 30 minutes in traffic each way on a big Saturday.

The main pre-game activities are on Mill Avenue, just a few blocks from Mountain America Stadium, and there are numerous places nearby to meet up before the game.

Varsity Tavern — The Sunbar, Fat Tuesday, Varsity Tavern, and Pedal Haus are all options, but Varsity Tavern stands out for plenty of large TV screens to watch other games during the day. It's loud, straightforward, and gets packed early on game day. Go before noon if you want a seat.

Four Peaks Brewing Company — For brewery seekers, Four Peaks Brewing Company is nearby. It's a genuine local institution — their Kilt Lifter Scottish Ale is one of the better things you can drink in Arizona — and the taproom has enough space to actually hold a conversation. Short rideshare from the stadium.

Pedal Haus Brewery — On Mill Avenue, this is a solid craft beer stop with food that goes beyond bar snacks. Busier on game days than it looks like it should be, which is a good sign.

Loco Patron — With an open-air concept and a large patio along Mill Avenue, Loco Patron is a strong spot for watching sports and the hustle of Downtown Tempe — a margarita in one hand and a taco in the other. Exactly the right energy for an Arizona game day afternoon.

While the surrounding area offers plenty of options, the stadium itself also delivers an impressive culinary experience.

Multiple concession stands are located on all levels throughout Mountain America Stadium. All stands are cashless and offer a variety of food and beverage items — specialty concessions on the Coca-Cola Sun Deck include Fork'em BBQ, Chick-fil-A, Cold Beers and Cheeseburgers, and Someburros. Budget roughly $13–$16 for a beer and $10–$14 for a basic meal item. Alcohol sales end at the end of the third quarter throughout the stadium — plan accordingly if you're counting on a fourth-quarter drink.

The allowed bags are: any clear bag no larger than 12" x 6" x 12", plastic storage bags that are 1-gallon and resealable and clear, or small bags no larger than 4.5" x 6.5". One clear bag per person. Medical bags are permitted and subject to a thorough inspection. Important: there is not a check-in location for prohibited bags or items. If you show up with the wrong bag, you're walking it back to your car.

The Mountain America Stadium gates open 90 minutes prior to kickoff, and all areas in Mountain America Stadium can be accessed from any gate. That last part is a post-renovation improvement worth knowing — you don't have to hunt for the "right" entrance anymore. Once a ticket is scanned and you enter the stadium, there will be no re-entry back into Mountain America Stadium upon exiting. Don't step out for a phone call at halftime without knowing that.

For day games, the sun angle is punishing. Mountain America Stadium does not have a roof or canopy to cover the seats, so if you're attending a day game, bring your best personal sun protection. The sunniest seats are on the sidelines and behind the north end zone — sections 12–33, 208–214, and 310–316 will get blasted by the Arizona sun early in the afternoon. Sunscreen, hat, and a sealed water bottle are not optional.

Accessible seating options are located throughout the stadium in lower level west, north and east sections; upper level east and west sections; northwest and southwest ADA sections; northeast and southeast ADA sections; and club and suites levels. Elevators to access the concourse level are located at the SW gate entrance and at the NE entrance inside the Student Athlete Center.

Courtesy Cart Service is available to disabled fans from the main disability parking area adjacent to Mountain America Stadium and the Desert Arboretum Park, as well as inside the South Packard Drive Parking Structure on the southwest corner of the first floor, running to the southeast, northeast, and northwest entrances. For game-day ADA questions, call or text 480-965-3482 on game day.

There is no dedicated permanent away section at Mountain America Stadium — visiting fans are generally scattered throughout the general seating bowl. Your best bet as an away fan is to buy in the upper level on the east side (sections 300–316 range), where ticket prices are lower, the sightlines are genuinely fine, and you're more likely to find clusters of fellow traveling fans. The upper east can get brutally sunny for afternoon kickoffs, so weigh that trade-off.

Club seats and suites on the west side are covered by the upper deck and therefore shaded — pick a seat as far back in these sections as possible for maximum shade access. If you want the best sightlines and can spend mid-range money, the lower west sideline sections between the 20-yard lines are the sweet spot — you see the whole field and the mountain backdrop is genuinely striking. Avoid the very back of the north end zone upper deck; it's exposed and the angle is awkward.

Away fans venturing into Mountain America Stadium should prepare for a notably different and lively experience.

Mountain America Stadium is a legitimately good road trip destination, with a home crowd that earns its reputation. The heat and loud fan base give the stadium a real home-field advantage — the loudest noise comes from the ASU student section, and when they show up, the atmosphere changes to another level. The students shake their keys during kickoffs , which sounds quirky until you're standing inside a 53,000-person bowl in 95-degree heat watching it happen in unison. Away fans are generally tolerated rather than welcomed — you won't get hassled if you keep it sporting, but don't expect a friendly rivalry atmosphere. The thing that catches visitors off guard most is the physical setup: because the stadium is carved between buttes, the acoustics bounce differently than a standard bowl, and the crowd noise is louder than the capacity suggests.

What's the closest light rail station to Mountain America Stadium?

The Veterans Way/College Ave station is just west of the stadium on the Valley Metro Rail A Line — about a five-minute walk to the gates.

What is the bag policy at Mountain America Stadium?

Fans may bring in one clear bag no larger than 12" x 6" x 12" or a 1-gallon plastic storage bag — limited to one clear bag per person, along with a small clutch or purse. Leave the backpack in the hotel room.

How much does parking cost?

General parking was discounted to $20 as part of ASU's game-day enhancements. Premium and closer lots may cost more. Buy in advance through Sun Devil Athletics when possible.

When do the gates open?

The Mountain America Stadium gates open 90 minutes prior to kickoff. Arrive closer to the 60-minute mark if you want to be settled before warmups end.

Is the stadium cashless?

All concession stands are cashless , so bring a card or load your phone's payment app before you arrive.

Where are the best seats for away fans? There's no dedicated away section. Upper east sideline sections offer the cheapest tickets and the best chance of finding fellow visiting fans. West club-level sections offer shade and better sightlines if budget allows.

Can I get from Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport (PHX) to the stadium by transit? Yes. Light rail stops serve the ASU Tempe campus with service to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. Total travel time runs about 25–30 minutes from the airport to the Veterans Way/College Ave station — one of the cleanest airport-to-stadium transit connections in college football.

Is there re-entry once I'm inside the stadium?

Once your ticket is scanned and you enter the stadium, you cannot reenter Mountain America Stadium upon exiting. Handle all outside business before you walk through the gate.