Going to an Arizona Cardinals Game – A Complete Guide

Going on a sports road trip to any NFL city is always awesome, but there are a few cities which stand above the rest. With warm fall weather, nearly endless sunshine and tons of great stuff to do before and after the game, going to an Arizona Cardinals game in Phoenix is virtually guaranteed to be an awesome boys’ trip!

There’s plenty of awesome stuff to do in Phoenix around the football game. You could catch a Phoenix Suns game at the Footprint Center, go hiking in Sedona or play a few rounds of golf at one of the many excellent area golf courses.

There’s just a small handful of NFL cities which are top tourist destinations, making them an awesome place to go see your home team play an away game. For example, you are guaranteed to see a ton of away jerseys in the stands if you go to a Las Vegas Raiders home game or a Los Angeles Rams game at SoFi Stadium.

When I went to State Farm Stadium, nearly half the stadium was wearing the peacock blue jerseys of the Detroit Lions, proving that going to an Arizona Cardinals game is an epic sports road trip destination.

No matter if you are a die-hard Cardinals fan, or if you’d like to watch your home team play somewhere fun, you simply can’t miss going to an Arizona Cardinals home game at State Farm Stadium. It’s a sports road trip you’ll never forget!

A DIY Arizona Cardinals Tour Package

When you do a search for “Arizona Cardinals Travel Package“, you’ll get lots of results for travel agencies willing to plan your sports road trip for you. I’ll admit that I bought a sports tour package for my first ever NFL game at Lambeau Field, and I’ll be the first to say that they did a great job. But before you use one, be aware they will charge a healthy premium for their services.

Why pay extra for a pre-made Arizona Cardinals tour package, when it’s really easy to book your own sports trip to see an Arizona Cardinals home game at State Farm Stadium. Keep reading – I’ll show you how…

Every single time since my very first sports road trip to see Brett Favre play, I’ve been booking my own sports road trips – it’s easy and I’ve been plowing the money I’ve saved into better game tickets.

My guide to going to an Arizona Cardinals home game takes you through the complete process of booking your own incredible sports road trip. I’ll guide you through how to get to Phoenix, where the Cardinals play, how to find great seats at State Farm Stadium, fun things to do in Phoenix and so much more.

I’ve been traveling to NFL games for over a decade now and I am excited to share my knowledge with you how easy it is to book your own Arizona Cardinals tour package!

How to Get to Glendale, Arizona

Flying to Phoenix, AZ

NFL football fans flying to Phoenix will land at the Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX). Served by every major airline in America, and many international carriers, the Phoenix airport is the 8th busiest airport in the United States. No matter where you are flying from, chances are good that you’ll easily find a great flight into Phoenix.

Located just east of downtown Phoenix, it’s a 30 minute drive from the Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport to State Farm Stadium in Glendale, AZ, home of the Arizona Cardinals.

Unless you take a very long Uber ride, it’s not easy to get from the airport to the Cardinals’ stadium without a car. To get around this, I got a rental car and you’ll probably want one too.

Driving to Phoenix

Phoenix is a major American city with a population of approximately 5 million people. Despite its size, Phoenix has a good highway system, making it easy to get around by car. Granted, with over 63,000 Cardinals fans leaving State Farm Stadium at the same time, the post-game traffic can get pretty congested for well over an hour.

If you are taking your own car on an NFL road trip to Phoenix, keep in mind you’ll need to find a hotel near State Farm Stadium which offers parking. I provide recommendations on State Farm Stadium hotels below.

As you’ll see below, my sports road trip to Phoenix was part of a 6-day trip which included stops in downtown Phoenix, Sedona and Glendale. I found it quite easy to get around Phoenix in my rental car.

Where do the Arizona Cardinals Play?

The Arizona Cardinals play at State Farm Stadium.

Since relocating from the Sun Devil Stadium at Arizona State University in 2006, the Arizona Cardinals have played their home games at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, AZ. Upon opening in 2006, it was known as Cardinals Stadium, before quickly changing its name to University of Phoenix Stadium. It adopted its current name of State Farm Stadium in 2018 as part of a 20 year deal with the insurance company.

State Farm Stadium

After playing their first 18 years at Sun Devil Stadium, the Arizona Cardinals were happy to finally move into their own stadium in Glendale, AZ.

With a seating capacity of 63,400 for NFL games, State Farm Stadium is the second-smallest stadium in the NFL. One of the benefits of being among one of the smallest stadiums in the league, ensures that everyone in the stadium is going to have a great seat!

Where is State Farm Stadium?

As mentioned, State Farm Stadium is not in downtown Phoenix – it’s way out in the northwest suburbs in Glendale, AZ. Being a big city, it’s roughly 30 minutes from downtown Phoenix to the ‘burbs in Glendale where the Cardinals stadium is. Plan for it to take longer on game days, especially after the game.

State Farm Stadium Address: 1 Cardinals Dr, Glendale, AZ 85305, USA

Is State Farm Stadium in a Safe Neighborhood?

State Farm Stadium is located in an entertainment district in the suburbs of Phoenix. There’s a massive shopping and entertainment complex to the north, and a theme park to the south. Anytime you have a football stadium in the suburbs, it’s going to be much safer than an inner city stadium.

The city of Glendale, AZ is a slightly above average city for safety in the USA, with the areas around State Farm Stadium being amongst the safest in the city. Statistically, the shopping area north of the stadium is slightly worse than the rest of the areas surrounding the stadium. I spent a lot of time in this area, and it felt perfectly normal and completely safe. If you are concerned, check out the map at CrimeGrade.org.

Unless you are quite unlucky, you’re likely going to attend your first Cardinals game at State Farm Stadium without incident. Improve your odds by finding a secure place to park your rental car near the stadium, or get a good hotel near State Farm Stadium.

Parking at State Farm Stadium

One advantage of building a stadium in the suburbs of a major city is there is tons of room for parking. Aside from the shopping & entertainment complex north of the stadium, there is nothing but massive parking lots surrounding State Farm Stadium.

Buying a parking permit for a Cardinals game at State Farm Stadium is super easy. Just go to SeatGeek.com and pick the lot which works best for you. I was very surprised at how cheap parking is at State Farm Stadium compared to other stadiums around the NFL.

For my Cardinals game, I stayed at a Glendale hotel on the outer limits of what is acceptable for walking distance. It was 1.5 miles from my hotel to the stadium, which is a distance I can normally do without breaking a sweat, but in the hot Phoenix sun, I felt it was a little far to walk.

Take a Rideshare to State Farm Stadium

If you are not staying at a hotel near the State Farm Stadium, and you don’t feel like parking there, you can always take an Uber or Lyft to the game. There’s a designated ride share zone south of the stadium near the Black parking lot.

I didn’t try using ride share at State Farm Stadium, but in my experience, I would not plan on using it. Rideshare drivers typically avoid major events as they are not compensated for the long time they will be stuck in traffic. I’d recommend finding a different way to the stadium.

Best Arizona Cardinals Games to Get Tickets For

As one of the two original NFL charter franchises still in operation, the Arizona Cardinals have developed some intense rivalries over the years. Whenever one of the teams the Arizona Cardinals have a rivalry with plays at State Farm Stadium, it’s virtually guaranteed to be an exciting game.

Games Against Division Rivals

The Arizona Cardinals play in the NFC West division in the National Football Conference. There are three other teams in the NFC West including the San Francisco 49ers, Los Angeles Rams and the Seattle Seahawks.

Of their NFC West rivals, the Arizona Cardinals biggest rival is the LA Rams. The rivalry dates all the way back to 1937 and has been reignited in recent years as both teams compete for supremacy in the NFC West. The LA Rams have played the villains in recent years, by either knocking the Cardinals out of the playoffs or playoff contention.

Games Against Legendary NFL Teams and Former Rivals

Who could pass up seeing the Cardinals play a legendary NFL team such as the Dallas Cowboys, Green Bay Packers or the San Francisco 49ers? A game against a current NFL powerhouse like the Kansas City Chiefs would also be a memorable game.

Luckily the 49ers are in the same division as the Cardinals, so you’re guaranteed at least one home game against them each season!

2024-25 Arizona Cardinals Home Schedule

There’s a lot of great Arizona Cardinals home games in 2024! Not only are the 2023 NFC Champion San Francisco 49ers coming to town, but Aaron Rodgers and the New York Jets are too! If you like football under the lights, there’s also a Monday Night Football game against the LA Chargers.

• Week 2: Sunday, Sept 15: LA Rams @ Arizona Cardinals
  >> NFC West Rival <<
  
  
• Week 3: Sunday, September 22: Detroit Lions @ Arizona Cardinals
  
  
• Week 4: Sunday, September 29: Washington Commanders @ Arizona Cardinals
  
  
• Week 7: Monday, October 21: Los Angeles Chargers @ Arizona Cardinals
  >> Monday Night Football <<
  
  
• Week 9: Sunday, Nov 3: Chicago Bears @ Arizona Cardinals
  
  
• Week 10: Sunday, Nov 10: New York Jets @ Arizona Cardinals
  
  
• Week 14: Sunday, December 8: Seattle Seahawks @ Arizona Cardinals
  > NFC West Rivals <<
  
  
• Week 15: Sunday, December 15: New England Patriots @ Arizona Cardinals
  
  
• Week 18: Sunday, Jan 5: San Francisco 49ers @ Arizona Cardinals
  >> NFC West Rival & Defending NFC Champs <<

Finding The Best Seats in State Farm Stadium

One of the smallest stadiums in the NFL, State Farm Stadium has a great seat for everyone, no matter your price range. Based on my experiences in Glendale and around the league, here are my recommendations to find the best seats for your upcoming Arizona Cardinals home game:

Lower Bowl Between the 20 Yard Lines

I’ve been to lots of games in NFL stadiums around the league, I can tell you that the best seats for your first Cardinals game are in the lower bowl, along the sidelines, between the 20-yard lines. Sitting in the lower bowl allows you to be close to the action, where you’ll witness the raw speed of the game and actually feel the impact of the tackles.

 My recommendation in this area is to try to sit in row 20 or higher, if possible. If you sit too close to the field, you’ll be turning your head a lot as the play goes up-and-down the field. In addition, you risk having your view occasionally blocked by a mobile, elevated TV camera.

The Cardinals single game tickets in the lower bowl near the 50 yard line are going to be one of your most expensive options in the stadium, but if you can find room in your budget, they are worth it. Personally, I always spend less on my hotel room so I can get better seats to the football game.

My Recommended Sections at State Farm Stadium for Lower Bowl Seats

• Sections 106 – 111 (Cardinals bench side)
• Sections 127 – 132 (Visitors bench side)

Best Value Seats – Lower Bowl Corners

Ok, so the lower bowl sideline tickets are the best seats in State Farm Stadium. Well, guess what? They are also among the most expensive seats for a Cardinals game too. If you are looking for great seats for your first Cardinals NFL game, but don’t want to spend a ton of cash, try getting a ticket in one of the lower bowl corner sections.

As with the lower bowl sideline tickets, try not to sit too close. If you are 20 rows or higher, you’ll enjoy an incredible view of the field and you’ll never have to move your head to follow the play.

The best part is that lower bowl corner seats for Arizona Cardinals games often sell for 25 – 50% of the price of the lower bowl sideline tickets.

For my first Arizona Cardinals game at State Farm Stadium, I sat in Section 113, row 30. My seat was on the 30 yard line and I was high enough to have an exceptional view of the game, yet close enough to feel part of it. I was a little unlucky as most of the games’ end zone action was at the far end of the field, which is a risk of not sitting on the sidelines.

Recommended Sections at State Farm Stadium for Lower Bowl Corner Seats

• Sections 101 – 103
• Sections 113 – 115
• Sections 123 – 125
• Sections 135 – 137

Upper Level – Between the 20’s

And finally, some of the upper level sideline tickets at State Farm Stadium can also offer good value for your money. Many fans prefer to sit in the upper decks as they can see the plays develop more easily, and the atmosphere is often more fun than in the more expensive lower bowls.

If possible, sit as low as possible in the upper deck, but avoid the first few rows as there is a safety bar running along the balcony which may partially obstruct your view.

Pricing-wise, Cardinals tickets in the upper level on the sidelines generally cost slightly less than the lower bowl corner seats. Given they are almost indifferent on price, you can choose the seating area which appeals to you most.

Recommended Sections at State Farm Stadium Upper Bowl Sideline Seats

• Sections 410 – 415
• Sections 441 – 446

Sideline Club Level Seats

The 200 level at State Farm Stadium is reserved for premium club level seating. I got a good look at the views from the club level seats during my State Farm Stadium tour and I admit they are excellent seats.

Due to the many premium perks that come along with these seats (including private lounges, premium concessions, more comfortable seats, etc.), they are much more expensive than non-club seats for Cardinals games.

I’ve had the good fortune of sitting in club seats at several sporting events over the years, and it’s a really fun experience. But, unless you are rich, or entertaining clients, I don’t recommend buying club level seats for Cardinal games – it’s not worth it. Take the money you save, buy some awesome Cardinals tickets elsewhere in the stadium and invest the rest in a great meal or some Cardinals gear.

How to Buy Arizona Cardinals Home Game Tickets

Although Ticketmaster is the official ticket seller for the National Football League, they are not the official ticket seller for the Arizona Cardinals – SeatGeek is. If you want to buy a non-resale, primary ticket for the Arizona Cardinals, you’ll need to go to SeatGeek.

At the time of writing, not many Cardinals game sell out, so  it’s pretty easy to hop onto SeatGeek and find good primary tickets for upcoming Arizona Cardinals games. If you have a very specific seating area in mind, you may need to head to the ticket resale market.

Whenever I’m in the resale market for NFL tickets, I open a window for each of the three biggest ticket resellers – Ticketmaster, StubHub and Vivid Seats. I have purchased tickets from all three ticket platforms and don’t really have a preference, although StubHub usually has the best selection. I browse all three to find the best seats I can find in my price range – then I simply buy them, regardless of which reseller it’s on.

Best Hotels for an Arizona Cardinals Home Game

With its warm and sunny fall & winter climate, Phoenix is a great place to visit for an NFL game. If you are attending an Arizona Cardinals home game from out of town, you’ll need to find a good place to stay near State Farm Stadium in Glendale, AZ.

Regardless of your budget, I’m confident you’ll find a great place to stay for the Cardinals game. Just remember my golden rule for sports road trips – spend less on your hotel room to free up more cash for better Cardinals tickets!

Additional Info on Going to an Arizona Cardinals Home Game

How to Dress for an Arizona Cardinals Home Game

As a football stadium in the hottest major city in the USA, you can bet that state Farm Stadium has a powerful air conditioning system. The good folks at the stadium keep the temperature at a comfortable temperature, between 70°F and 78°F. If anything, I found it a little cold inside the stadium, even though it was 95°F outside.

The vast majority of football fans at the Cardinals game were dressed in shorts and some Cardinals gear on top. As mentioned, half the fans in State Farm Stadium were Lions fans, so there was a ton of Lions jerseys too!

If, like me, you like to get to the stadium early, keep in mind you’ll be in the hot Arizona sun, so arrive fully hydrated with a hat and plenty of sunscreen. There’s a water station on the north side of the stadium near the Pat Tillman Statue at Gate 2.

State Farm Stadium Guide

In this guide to attending an Arizona Cardinals home game at State Farm Stadium, I’ve included all the major details to help you plan the best sports road trip ever. Stadium policies are changing all the time, so rather than list them here, take a few minutes to review the State Farm Stadium “A-Z Guide“.

This handy stadium guide explains everything from parking, to the alcohol and clear bag policies. I highly recommend flipping through the guide before your Cardinals game to ensure you are fully prepared.

One thing to note, is that the Cardinals follow the NFL clear bag policy. If you want to bring sunscreen, sunglasses, etc. to the game, make sure it’s in a clear bag which complies with the NFL clear bag policy.

 State Farm Stadium Map and Seating Chart

Before you go to your first Arizona Cardinals home game, take some time to look at the State Farm Stadium map and seating chart. A variety of useful maps are found on the State Farm Stadium website.

 Arizona Cardinals Mobile App

Downloading the Arizona Cardinals mobile app is a must prior to your first game at State Farm Stadium. Not only can you access your mobile tickets on game day, but you’ll also have access to a wealth of information about the Arizona Cardinals and State Farm Stadium.

As I don’t follow the Cardinals on a day-to-day basis back home, I spent a lot of time in the app the morning of the Cardinals vs. Lions game, learning about the team and the upcoming matchup.

The Arizona Cardinals app is available on iOS and Android.

Best Things to do in Glendale on Cardinals Game Days

Pregame Party at Heritage

Whenever I visit a new city for an NFL game, I’m always super jealous of the fans who live in the city who can set up shop and tailgate for hours before a game. The great news for out-of-town NFL fans is they can also have their own Arizona Cardinals pre-game party.

The Pregame Party at Heritage is an all-inclusive event with an all-you can eat menu and an open bar. Located in the Heritage at Sportsman Park venue, you can watch all the fans tailgating in the Great Lawn while enjoying all the comfort and facilities at the venue.

Tailgating parties such as one at the Heritage are a great option for out-of-town fans who want to enjoy a party before the game, but don’t have the ability to actually tailgate at the stadium.

The Great Lawn

One of the coolest parts of the Cardinals pre-game experience is the Great Lawn. An eight acre lawn on the west side of the stadium, the Great Lawn is a place for football fans to gather before and after each game.

There’s a few corporate tents here and there (Bud Light, etc.), but the vast majority of action of the great lawn is just normal football fans, tailgating without their cars. They bring tents, grills, TV’s, corn hole – the whole deal. It’s a great pre-game atmosphere, especially for fans like us from out of town who want to enjoy the tailgating atmosphere before the game.

I’ve been to lots of NFL stadiums and haven’t seen anything like the Great Lawn anywhere else in the league. What a great idea!

Pat Tillman Freedom Plaza

Pat Tillman played safety for the Arizona Cardinals from 1998 to 2001. Following the September 11 attacks, Pat left the NFL to serve his country in Afghanistan, where he tragically lost his life. The Pat Tillman Freedom Plaza was built to honor the sacrifice and courage of the former Cardinal.

Located at the north end of the stadium, near Gate 2, the Pat Tillman Freedom Plaza is a must visit for anyone visiting State Farm Stadium. The plaza features a larger than life bronze statue of Pat Tillman. The 42′ wall behind the statue represents his college football number at Arizona State. And the reflection pool offers a spot for visitors to pause and reflect on his service.

The Flight Deck

The Flight Deck is found in the north-east side of the State Farm Stadium. This large, tented area is home to a massive TV screen and lots of comfy seating. The TV screen was playing NFL Red Zone, making the Flight Deck a popular area for fans to come and watch the early NFL action around the league.

Best Things to do in Phoenix Aside from a Cardinals Game

If you are coming to Phoenix / Glendale for a Cardinals home game, why not come early and make a weekend of it? There are so many awesome things to do in Phoenix aside from going to a Cardinals game.

Here’s a few things to do in Phoenix which will appeal to football fans:

State Farm Stadium Tour

On my very first sports road trip to Green Bay, one of my favorite memories was going on a Lambeau Field stadium tour. Now, whenever I go on an NFL road trip, I try to go on a stadium tour before the game.

I went on a stadium tour the afternoon before my first Arizona Cardinals game and I thoroughly enjoyed it. This 2-hour tour of State Farm Stadium took us (almost) everywhere in the stadium.

To me, the highlight of my State Farm Stadium tour was the opportunity to walk through the players entrance tunnel and stand next to the playing field. It was the night before the game, so the grass had already been brought indoors, so we could see the real grass up-close.

(They have special tours on game day weekends where you can see the grass being brought into the stadium!).

I also loved the chance to go into the media areas on the 300-level. We first got to enter the areas where the print sports writers get to sit and watch the game. Then we got to see the TV broadcast booth, where the FOX tech was just finishing up setting up the booth. He was generous enough with his time to invite us in for a look. What a super cool experience!

Our tour guide Kevin was awesome and I had a great time on my tour of the State Farm Stadium. Regardless of whether you are a die-hard Cardinals fan, or just visiting Phoenix on an NFL road trip, taking a State Farm Stadium Tour is an essential part of your sports road trip.

Stadium tours of State Farm Stadium are not offered on game days, so you’ll need to book your tour before or after your Cardinals game. There’s a ton of tour options available on the SeatGeek webpage.

Phoenix Suns NBA Game

With a regular season schedule which starts in late October, there are roughly 2.5 months of overlap between the Arizona Cardinals regular season schedule and the Phoenix Suns schedule.

The Phoenix Suns play at the Footprint Center in downtown Phoenix, which is conveniently next door to the Arizona Diamondbacks stadium, but is a long ways from the Cardinals stadium in Glendale. It’s close to the airport though, so you could line up your Footprint Center hotel near your arrival or departure date.

My Phoenix Sports Road Trip

My Phoenix sports road trip almost didn’t happen. I had originally bought Green Day Saviors Tour tickets for Denver around when the NFL season should begin. When the NFL schedule came out, the Broncos were away that weekend, so I had no NFL games to go to along with my concert tickets.

But, Green Day was in Phoenix two weeks later, just a few days away from an Arizona Cardinals home game. So, I sold my Denver concert tickets on StubHub and got busy planning my sports road trip to Phoenix!

I flew into Phoenix on a Wednesday, which was the day of the Green Day concert (which was awesome!). I had a few days to kill before the Cardinals game, so on Thursday morning I hopped in a rental car and drove 2 hours north to Sedona, AZ – one of the most beautiful places in the USA. I spent 48 hours in Sedona, enjoying the beauty of the red rock landscapes on the best hiking trails in the area.

On Saturday afternoon, I drove to Glendale, AZ in time for my late afternoon State Farm Stadium tour. It was awesome!

Sunday was completely dedicated to the Cardinals game. I checked out of my Glendale hotel and walked to State Farm Stadium a few hours before the game. I walked around the stadium, enjoying all the fun pre-game activities. And, of course, the Lions vs. Cardinals game was a highlight of my trip!!

And, seeing how I was already in Phoenix, I decided to hang around for the Arizona Diamondbacks game on Monday night. Before the game I went kayaking on the Lower Salt River in the morning and went on a Chase Field stadium tour in the early afternoon.

With so many sports and entertainment options, I had an awesome time on my sports road trip to Phoenix!

Get Your Cardinals Gear Before the Game

Going to an Arizona Cardinals game is way more fun when you are wearing a Cardinals jersey at State Farm Stadium. For officially licensed Arizona Cardinals gear, be sure to check out the massive selection at NFLShop.com. You’re sure to find the perfect gear to wear to State Farm Stadium for a Cardinals home game!

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