State Farm Stadium: Guide for Visiting Fans

Driving is the default for most visitors, and it works fine if you come prepared. State Farm Stadium sits off the AZ Loop 101 Freeway between Bethany Home Road/Cardinals Way and Glendale Avenue. From Loop 101, take the Glendale Avenue exit for the most navigable approach to general parking lots. Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) sits approximately 20 miles east of State Farm Stadium, roughly 25 to 30 minutes by car or rideshare under normal conditions. On an Arizona Cardinals game day, inbound traffic heading toward Glendale can extend that drive, particularly in the 90 minutes before kickoff. Budget three hours between landing and kickoff if you have any ground to cover.

Public transit is technically possible but not seamless. The Valley Metro Light Rail does not reach State Farm Stadium directly; the closest connection point is the Desert Sky Transit Center at 79th Avenue and McDowell Road, where game day shuttle services operate on select Cardinals home dates. From the 19th Avenue/Camelback light rail stop, you can catch Valley Metro Bus Route 70 heading northwest, ride about 25 minutes, and get off at the stop nearest to the stadium — it's within a short walk. It's doable, not elegant.

The Black Lot is the designated rideshare pick-up and drop-off location for most State Farm Stadium events, located south of the stadium across Bethany Home Road/Cardinals Way.

The venue has approximately 14,000 on-site parking spaces across multiple designated lots within Sportsman's Park, with an additional 12,000 spaces in adjacent overflow areas. That's a massive footprint, but don't let the numbers lull you into complacency — the reserved lots require pre-purchased mobile passes and sell out for marquee games.

On-site parking typically ranges from $20 to $50 depending on lot location, game demand, and whether the pass was pre-purchased. Passes bought in advance through the Cardinals app consistently come in at the lower end of that range. The Black Lot is designated for day-of parking convenience for visitors without pre-sold permits. The walk from remote lots like the Black Lot to the gates is real — plan on 10 to 15 minutes on foot.

If you want flexibility without the pre-purchase hassle, the most popular cash parking option is the adjacent Westgate Entertainment District, located just north of the venue, where spaces can be available for as little as $10. The tradeoff is you'll be fighting foot traffic from Westgate rather than the stadium lots on the way out — which is actually a feature, not a bug (more on that in the egress section). Parking lots open four hours prior to kickoff for Cardinals games, so arriving early for the tailgate is worth it.

The closest and most convenient base is the Westgate Entertainment District, immediately north of the stadium. Home2 Suites by Hilton Glendale Westgate (0.3 miles away), Hampton Inn & Suites Phoenix Glendale-Westgate (0.4 miles), and the Renaissance Phoenix Glendale Hotel & Spa are all walking distance — under ten minutes to the gates. These are mid-range to upscale prices, but you'll save on parking and rideshare entirely, which offsets some of the room rate.

If you want something with more city energy, downtown Scottsdale (about 25–30 miles east) gives you better restaurant and bar options, but you'll be doing a longer rideshare on game day with surge pricing baked in. Downtown Phoenix hotels split the difference — reasonable access, more neighborhood options, but still a $25–40 rideshare each way. For a Cardinals game, staying in the Westgate bubble is genuinely the right call.

The Westgate Entertainment District is where the action is before and after games. A few specific options:

Yard House — The reliable chain with a wall of taps. It's never going to surprise you, but it's staffed up on game days, has plenty of TV screens, and won't run out of beer. Good for a pregame pint if you arrive early enough that the wait is manageable.

Saddle Ranch Chop House — A rowdy, theme-bar steakhouse that leans into the atmosphere. Not a place for a quiet dinner, but perfectly calibrated for pregame energy. The mechanical bull is optional.

Whiskey Rose — A country music bar a short walk from the stadium that draws a big pregame crowd. Beer-and-a-shot territory. Gets loud early; gets louder after.

Barrio Queen — If you want actual Sonoran-style food in a setting that isn't a tourist trap, this is the call. Strong margaritas, genuine regional Mexican food, and a bit more breathing room than the Westgate sports bars. Worth a post-game stop if you're running out the egress clock.

Permitted bags include clear plastic, vinyl, or PVC bags not exceeding 12"×12"×6" (including clear backpacks and fanny packs), one-gallon clear plastic freezer bags, and small clutch bags/wallets no larger than 4.5"×6.5"×2". If your bag doesn't comply, there are two Mobile Bag Check locations outside the secured perimeter; the fee is $20 per bag.

Stadium gates open two hours before kickoff for NFL games. The three public entrances — BetMGM Gate 1, Hyundai Gate 2, and Bud Light Gate 3 — all provide access to the main level. During Cardinals games, escalators run upwards in the first half and downwards in the second to aid exit efficiency — a small but genuinely useful detail that makes the place feel well-run.

One practical tip: hydration stations are available outside security at each main gate, free of charge, and guests may bring in one factory-sealed, non-frozen 500ml plain bottle of water. In Arizona in September, this is not a trivial policy — use it.

Elevators are located near the three public entrances and two Gila River Casinos Club Entrances, with priority usage granted to individuals with disabilities. Guests requiring wheelchair assistance can request complimentary escorts at any entry point.

Assistive Listening Devices are available at all four Guest Services offices on the Main Level (near Sections 104 & 123) and Terrace Level (Sections 417 & 448); guests will be asked to leave a valid ID when checking one out. During Arizona Cardinals games, open captioning is provided below the stadium's north and south video boards. There are over 2,000 ADA parking spaces available across the Sportsman's Park lot complex. Guest Services booths on the main concourse can assist with sensory accommodations and lost/found inquiries.

There is no official dedicated away fan section at State Farm Stadium — visiting supporters scatter wherever they bought tickets. The upper Terrace Level (400s), particularly in the end zones, tends to draw more price-sensitive buyers, which in practice means more neutral and traveling fans. Sections 401–415 (south end zone upper) and 445–455 (north end zone upper) are where you're most likely to find a cluster of your own.

For sightlines, the lower sidelines in the 100s are excellent — the bowl is well-designed and there are no obstructed view seats in the stadium. The Club Level (200s) is comfortable and climate-controlled regardless of roof position. There are visible gaps in the upper deck of the end zones where seats were omitted due to the super columns supporting the roof structure — avoid buying anything listed adjacent to those columns, as you'll have a partial view of the column rather than the field.

The Cardinals have made a genuine investment in local food over the past two seasons. For 2025, new vendors include Someburros, Chicago Dawg House, Tarbell's Cha Cha Mouche Tapas and Wine Bar, Humble Bistro, and Chef Peter's Mediterranean, joining returning local operators like Spinato's Pizzeria, Barrio Queen, Kaizen, Cold Beer and Cheeseburgers, Honey Bears, Lola's Tacos, and Pork on a Fork. This is a meaningful local roster by NFL standards — the Cardinals have clearly heard the fan feedback demanding more Valley representation.

The Beer Cheese Cavatappi Mac & Cheese topped with Roasted Garlic Sriracha BBQ Smoked Brisket Burnt Ends and Crispy Onions has been one of the marquee novelty items. An average beer at State Farm Stadium runs about $7 — seventh cheapest among NFL venues in one study — and a hotdog averages around $4.75. Current pricing on craft and domestic tallboys may run slightly higher depending on the stand. Fans can also use mobile ordering through the Cardinals app at select locations and receive a notification when their order is ready for pickup — worth downloading if you want to skip the concession line.

The stadium is 100% cashless; Cash-to-Card reverse ATMs are located on the Main Level at Sections 104 & 123 and on the Terrace Level at Section 416 if you arrive with only cash in your pocket.

The Cardinals faithful are not an intimidating bunch — Glendale draws a lot of transplants from around the country, the crowd has the energy of a market that still isn't totally sure it deserves an NFL team, and away fans in significant numbers can make genuine noise here without fear of retaliation. What catches visiting fans off guard is the walk. Unless you're a VIP parking in the closest lots, you're looking at a bit of a walk to get to the outer perimeter of the stadium , and then another stretch from the outer perimeter to your gate. In September, in Arizona, that walk is not trivial — it is triple-digit heat, no shade, and full game-day gear. Wear breathable clothing, drink water before you enter, and arrive early enough that you're inside before the sun has its way with you. Once you're in, the stadium is fully air-conditioned and comfortable — that first blast of cool air when you pass through the doors is one of the underrated pleasures of visiting this building.

Rideshare: The rideshare surge after a Cardinals game is predictable and significant — demand spikes sharply as tens of thousands open their apps from the same location simultaneously. Don't request a ride from the stadium gates. Walk toward the Tanger Outlets lot or move into the Westgate Entertainment District before opening the app, or wait 20 minutes inside Westgate at a bar or restaurant before requesting your ride. Both strategies put physical and temporal distance between the pickup request and the peak demand cluster around the gates, reducing both wait time and pricing.

Driving: Exit via Glendale Avenue rather than Cardinals Way — the Cardinals Way exit provides access mainly to permit lots for season-ticket holders and clogs immediately after games. Aim for Glendale Avenue to Loop 101, and expect 20–40 minutes to reach moving highway traffic. Parking lots close one hour after the game ends.

Transit: If you came in on Route 70 bus, confirm the last departure time before the game begins. Post-game buses are infrequent and fill up fast. Waiting 30–45 minutes before heading to the stop will make the experience less miserable.

The opinionated tip: If you're on rideshare, the single best move is to commit to the Westgate post-game plan before kickoff. Pick a bar, tell your group to meet there after the final whistle regardless of the score, and wait 20 minutes minimum before requesting a ride. You'll pay less, wait less, and end the night with a beer rather than standing on hot asphalt refreshing your app.

Does light rail go to State Farm Stadium?

No. The Valley Metro Light Rail does not reach State Farm Stadium directly. The closest connection is the Desert Sky Transit Center at 79th Avenue and McDowell Road, where game day shuttles operate on select home dates. Most visitors drive or use rideshare.

What is the bag policy at State Farm Stadium?

Clear plastic/vinyl/PVC bags up to 12"×12"×6", one-gallon clear freezer bags, and small clutch bags no larger than 4.5"×6.5"×2" are permitted. Non-compliant bags can be checked outside the gates for $20.

How much does parking cost at State Farm Stadium?

On-site parking typically ranges from $20 to $50 depending on lot location and whether the pass was pre-purchased. Buy through the Cardinals app before game day for the best rates.

When do gates open at State Farm Stadium?

For NFL games, gates open two hours before kickoff. Parking lots open four hours before kickoff.

Is State Farm Stadium cashless?

Yes, State Farm Stadium is 100% cashless. Bring a card or mobile payment. Reverse ATMs (Cash-to-Card kiosks) are located on the Main Level at Sections 104 & 123 and on the Terrace Level at Section 416.

What are the best seats for away fans? There's no dedicated visiting section. Upper Terrace end zones (Sections 401–415 and 445–455) tend to draw more neutral and traveling fans. Avoid seats adjacent to the large support columns in the upper end zone corners.

How far is State Farm Stadium from Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport?

Approximately 20 miles east, roughly 25 to 30 minutes by car or rideshare under normal conditions. Add time on game days, especially in the hour before kickoff.

Can I bring water into State Farm Stadium?

Yes — one factory-sealed, non-frozen 500ml plain bottle of water is permitted. Sports drinks and flavored water are not allowed. Free hydration stations are also available outside each main gate entrance.