State Farm Stadium parking and bag policy, in one paragraph
State Farm Stadium is at 1 Cardinals Drive, Glendale, AZ 85305, off Loop 101. Parking is cashless and best bought in advance on SeatGeek. Concert parking has typically run about $30 general, $75 preferred and $100 for oversized vehicles; Cardinals single-game parking in the Black and Yellow lots has run about $20. Lots open four hours before kickoff for Cardinals games. Bags must be clear and no larger than 12″ x 6″ x 12″, or a small clutch no larger than 4.5″ x 6.5″. Rideshare drop-off and pickup is the Black Lot, south of the stadium.
Prices change by event. Check the event page on statefarmstadium.com the week of your event before you drive.
I’ve been going to games and shows in this building since it opened as University of Phoenix Stadium, and the same three things trip people up every single time: they show up with the wrong bag, they park on the wrong side for the drive home, and they assume they can pay cash. This guide covers all three for Cardinals games, stadium concerts and big one-off events. If you’re here for the November 21 show, our Ye at State Farm Stadium guide has the event-specific details.
State Farm Stadium parking: lots, prices and how to get in
The stadium sits inside Sportsman’s Park, a big field of color-coded surface lots and one garage, between Cardinals Way and Glendale Avenue on the west side of Loop 101. Staff direct general traffic into whichever lot has room, so the lot you end up in depends as much on when you arrive as what you paid for.
| Lot | How to get in | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| General lots | Glendale Avenue or Cardinals Way exits off Loop 101, or surface streets via 91st and 99th Avenues. Follow the message boards and Glendale police. | Most concertgoers. Buy on SeatGeek before you leave home. |
| Preferred (Red) | Only from Maryland Avenue at 95th Avenue. From the south, exit Loop 101 at Cardinals Way. From the north, exit at Glendale Avenue, go west to 99th, then east on Maryland. In Waze, search “Red Lot – State Farm Stadium.” | Shortest walk. Sells out first. |
| Black Lot | South of the stadium. Day-of parking for Cardinals fans without a pre-sold pass, plus the rideshare and family drop-off zone. Limos park here only. | Uber, Lyft, drop-offs and last-minute Cardinals parking. |
| Lot F Oversized | The only oversized-vehicle lot. Opens 4.5 hours before Cardinals kickoff. Max space length 45 feet, and the pass must be the “Lot F Oversized Vehicle” pass. | RVs and big tailgate rigs. |
| Westgate garages | Garages and surface lots in the Westgate Entertainment District, a short walk north across Glendale Avenue. Westgate parking line: (844) 236-2011. | Dinner before, drinks after, and a faster exit east. |
How much is parking at State Farm Stadium?
Concert figures are the typical rates Phoenix New Times reported for recent stadium shows; Cardinals figures are typical single-game rates. Prices are set per event and the big shows run higher, so treat these as a budget, not a quote.
When lots open: four hours before kickoff for Cardinals games, per the stadium. Concert lot times are posted on each event page a few days out. Cardinals lots close one hour after the game ends, and overnight parking before game day is not allowed.
Pick your lot for the drive home, not the walk in. Everyone in the general lots funnels back onto the 101 at the same couple of ramps. If you’re headed back to Scottsdale, Tempe or out east to Mesa, park at Westgate, have a drink after the show while the lots drain, and you’ll be on an open freeway 45 minutes later. If you live in Goodyear or Buckeye, take 99th Avenue and skip the 101 completely.
State Farm Stadium bag policy
The stadium runs the NFL clear bag standard for football and most stadium concerts, and gate staff check bags against size templates. Here is what gets in:
- One clear bag (plastic, vinyl or PVC) no larger than 12″ x 6″ x 12″. Clear backpacks, totes, fanny packs and cinch bags count. Tinted bags do not.
- Or a one-gallon clear freezer bag, the Ziploc kind.
- Plus one small clutch or wallet no larger than 4.5″ x 6.5″, with or without a strap.
- One factory-sealed, non-frozen 500 mL (16.9 oz) plain bottle of water. No sports drinks, flavored water, cans or glass.
- Medical items are allowed after inspection. Diapers and wipes go in a clear bag; diaper bags are not allowed. Blankets are carried loose or in the clear bag.
Security will not hold it for you. Your options are walking it back to the car, paying for bag check (two mobile locations outside the security perimeter, $20 per bag at Cardinals games, cashless), or dropping it in a Handbag Handoff bin, where purses are donated to local women’s shelters. Bag check stays open 75 minutes after a Cardinals game ends or until every bag is claimed.
What you can’t bring into State Farm Stadium
| Category | Not allowed |
|---|---|
| Bags and containers | Non-clear bags over clutch size, coolers of any kind, briefcases, luggage, thermoses, souvenir cups, glass, cans |
| Food and drink | Outside food (except for children under two), alcohol, any drink except one sealed 500 mL water |
| Cameras and tech | Professional lenses, GoPros, video cameras, laptops, tripods and monopods, selfie sticks, laser pointers, drones |
| Fan gear | Noisemakers, footballs and beach balls, signs over 3′ x 2′, umbrellas over 12 inches collapsed, seat cushions with zippers or pockets |
| Everything else | Aerosols, fireworks, weapons, marijuana and vapes, strollers over umbrella size, wagons, car seats, skateboards and hoverboards, pets other than service animals |
Everyone walks through a metal detector. At Cardinals games you carry your clear bag through the screening pedestals in hand without emptying your pockets, and only people who set off an alert get the second screening. There is no re-entry on the same ticket at Cardinals games.
Tailgating rules at State Farm Stadium
Tailgating in Sportsman’s Park is a real Cardinals tradition, and the rules are specific. Per the Cardinals’ A-Z guide:
- Hours: from lot opening (four hours before kickoff) until kickoff. No tailgating during or after the game.
- Grills: propane or natural gas grills and heaters are fine. Charcoal, pellet grills and oil fryers are not.
- Tents: up to 10′ x 10′, with above-ground weights only, kept inside the red fire lane.
- Generators: small portables at 6,500W or less, with no cords across drive aisles or sidewalks.
- Space: one stall per pass, set up in front of or behind your own vehicle. Saving spaces is not allowed, so groups have to arrive together.
- Not allowed: glass, DJs and amplified instruments, drinking games, selling food or drinks, and drones.
Children 24 months and under get in free with a lap pass, issued at the gate with the child present (one per adult ticket). Sections 114, 424 and 432 are alcohol-free, and there is an alcohol-free tailgate zone in the East Green carpark. A sensory room sits on the Main Concourse near Section 104.
Getting to State Farm Stadium
- By car: Loop 101 to Cardinals Way (from the south) or Glendale Avenue (from the north). On a normal Saturday the drive from Scottsdale or Chandler is 45 to 60 minutes; on stadium nights, plan on 90.
- By rideshare: drop-off and pickup are in the Black Lot, south of the stadium. After a sold-out show, walking north to Westgate and requesting from there usually beats the Black Lot queue and the surge.
- From Sky Harbor: about 30 minutes without traffic.
- Accessible parking: every lot in Sportsman’s Park has ADA spaces, first come, first served, with a state-issued hangtag or plate. At Cardinals games a courtesy cart runs from accessible parking to the gates from two hours before kickoff to one hour after. Questions: Cardinals ticket office, (602) 379-0102.
State Farm Stadium has a retractable roof, and whether it’s open is an event-day call. From May through September it’s usually closed and the building is air-conditioned. In the cooler months it’s often open, and a November or December evening in Glendale can drop into the 50s by the end of a show. Bring a layer you can carry loose.
Inside the stadium: cash, smoking and lost items
- Cashless: cards and phones only. Cash-to-card machines are on the Main Level at Sections 104 and 123 and the Terrace Level at Section 416.
- Alcohol at Cardinals games: two drinks per person per transaction, and sales stop at the end of the third quarter outside the Club, Loft and luxury levels.
- Smoking: the building is smoke-free. The designated smoking area for the Main Level is beyond the Gate 2 exterior gate; upper levels use the north ramp. Vapes are not allowed inside.
- Lost and found: Guest Services on the Main Level (Sections 104 and 123) and Terrace Level (Sections 417 and 448), or the 24/7 command center at (623) 433-7147. Items are held 30 days.
- Problem in your section: text the stadium hotline at (623) 400-2210.
Where to eat near State Farm Stadium
The Westgate Entertainment District is directly north and walkable. On stadium nights the restaurants fill from about 4 p.m., so book ahead or eat by 5. Addresses and hours below were verified through Google Business Profiles on September 1, 2026.
Yard House · 9401 W Westgate Blvd
The safest bet for a big group: 100-plus taps, a menu for everyone, and a room big enough that you’ll usually get seated. Open until 1 a.m. Saturdays, so it doubles as the after-show wait-out spot. (623) 872-3900.
Thirsty Lion Gastropub · 9445 W Entertainment Blvd
Attached to the Renaissance and a notch quieter than the center of Westgate. Real dinner menu, good cocktails, takes reservations. (480) 944-5165.
Tulum Modern Mexican · 6770 N Sunrise Blvd, Suite G207
The date-night pick in the district: modern Mexican, steaks and seafood, and early happy hour. (623) 335-2613.
NakedQ BBQ · 9405 W Glendale Ave, Suite 120
Counter-service brisket and smoked sausage, fast enough to eat before the gates open. Closes at 9 p.m., so it’s a before-only stop. (623) 230-2199.
More verified Valley restaurants are in the AZ Charged Arizona restaurants directory.
Hotels within walking distance of State Farm Stadium
The cluster on 95th Avenue puts you about ten minutes on foot from the gates. Expect event-night rates and a nightly parking charge at most of these. The Renaissance and the 95th Avenue Hiltons sell out first.
| Hotel | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Renaissance Phoenix Glendale | 9495 W Entertainment Blvd | (623) 937-3700 |
| Hampton Inn & Suites Glendale-Westgate | 6630 N 95th Ave | (623) 271-7771 |
| Home2 Suites Glendale-Westgate | 6620 N 95th Ave | (623) 877-4600 |
| Tru by Hilton Glendale Westgate | 6610 N 95th Ave | (623) 250-3551 |
| Aloft Glendale at Westgate | 6920 N 93rd Ave | (602) 883-3500 |
Making a weekend of it? Buc-ee’s in Goodyear is a short drive south, Fire ‘n’ Ice Arena in north Phoenix is new this fall, and our things to do in Phoenix guide covers the rest of the Valley. Coming back in December? Our Christmas lights in Arizona guide lists the West Valley displays. Heading to another venue? See every Phoenix stadium and arena guide for bag rules side by side.
State Farm Stadium FAQ
How much does it cost to park at State Farm Stadium?
It depends on the event. Recent stadium concerts have run about $30 for general parking, $75 for preferred and $100 for oversized vehicles. Cardinals single-game parking in the Black and Yellow lots has run about $20. All parking is cashless, and buying ahead on SeatGeek is recommended.
What size bag can I bring into State Farm Stadium?
One clear plastic, vinyl or PVC bag no larger than 12″ x 6″ x 12″, or a one-gallon clear freezer bag, plus a small clutch no larger than 4.5″ x 6.5″. Tinted bags, regular purses, backpacks and diaper bags are turned away.
What time do State Farm Stadium parking lots open?
Four hours before kickoff for Cardinals games, and four and a half hours for the Lot F oversized lot. Concert lot times are posted on each event page a few days ahead.
Can you bring water into State Farm Stadium?
Yes, one factory-sealed, non-frozen 500 mL (16.9 oz) plain bottle of water per person. Sports drinks, flavored water, cans and glass are not allowed.
Where is Uber and Lyft pickup at State Farm Stadium?
The Black Lot, south of the stadium, is the rideshare and family drop-off and pickup zone.
Can you tailgate at State Farm Stadium?
Yes, at Cardinals games, from lot opening until kickoff, behind or in front of your own vehicle. Propane and natural gas grills are allowed; charcoal, pellet grills, fryers and glass are not. Tents are limited to 10′ x 10′.
Is State Farm Stadium cash only or card only?
Card only. The stadium, concessions and the parking lots are all cashless. Cash-to-card machines are on the Main Level at Sections 104 and 123 and the Terrace Level at Section 416.
Run a business near State Farm Stadium?
Tens of thousands of people search for where to eat, park and stay before every big event in Glendale. AZ Charged is a hand-verified Arizona directory with zero pay-to-rank. Westgate restaurants, West Valley hotels, parking and shuttle operators: get reviewed and get listed.
Sources: State Farm Stadium Safety & Clear Bag Policy, State Farm Stadium Directions & Parking, Arizona Cardinals Stadium Policies and A-Z Guide, Arizona Cardinals Parking & Tailgating, and Phoenix New Times reporting on stadium parking rates, all retrieved October 21, 2026. Restaurant and hotel details from Google Business Profiles, September 1, 2026. Policies and prices are set by the venue and can change by event.
Featured photo: Marine 69-71, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (taken when the stadium was University of Phoenix Stadium)
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