State Farm Stadium parking ranges from $10-$30 across official stadium lots and surrounding garages. Arizona Cardinals game day parking passes can be prepaid online for the closest lots, with cheaper options available within walking distance of the venue. Tailgating is allowed in select lots; find lot maps, ADA accessible parking, and rideshare drop-off details below.
Common questions
How much is parking at State Farm Stadium?
Where can I find cheap parking near State Farm Stadium?
Where do I park for a Arizona Cardinals game at State Farm Stadium?
Can you tailgate at State Farm Stadium?
How Much Is Parking at State Farm Stadium?
Parking at State Farm Stadium costs between $10 and $30 per vehicle for most Cardinals games, depending on which lot you choose and whether you buy in advance.
General lots such as the Yellow and Black Lots sit at the lower end of the range, while Preferred lots (Red and Grey) are the most expensive on a single-game basis. Single-game purchasers park in the Yellow or Black lots for approximately $20 per spot, though prices are subject to change by event. Season parking passes are also available: standard passes run $350 per season, oversized vehicle passes cost $750 per season, and the East Premium Turf Tailgate Lot carries a premium season rate of $1,000.
All parking at State Farm Stadium is cashless, credit cards are the only accepted form of payment in all lots and garages, so leave your cash at the hotel. Parking rates also vary by event type, so a high-demand game or a major concert will push prices toward the top of the range. Checking the official State Farm Stadium website before game day gives you the most accurate rate for your specific event.
State Farm Stadium Parking Lots and Maps
State Farm Stadium sits inside Sportsman’s Park, a large surface parking complex off Loop 101 at 1 Cardinals Drive, Glendale, AZ 85305, with lots color-coded by tier and distance from the stadium.
General parking lots, Blue, Yellow, Orange, Green, Pink, Purple Garage, and Black, are accessible via Glendale Avenue or Cardinals Way from Loop 101, as well as from surface streets including 91st and 99th Avenues. Upon nearing the stadium, parking staff and digital messaging boards direct vehicles into the closest available lot. The Black Lot is the designated day-of parking area for single-game visitors without pre-sold permits and is located south of the stadium.
Preferred parking (Red and Grey Lots) has a separate entry point: fans must enter at Maryland Avenue and 95th Avenue. From the south, exit Loop 101 at Cardinals Way. From the north, exit Loop 101 at Glendale Avenue, turn west to 99th Avenue, then east onto Maryland Avenue. If you use Waze, searching ‘Red Lot – State Farm Stadium’ routes you directly to the Preferred entry.
The Lot F Oversized Vehicle Lot is located on the east side of the stadium and opens 4.5 hours before kickoff, 30 minutes earlier than all other lots. The East Premium Turf Tailgate Lot is also on the east side and includes access to a premium grass tailgating area. The official parking map is available at statefarmstadium.com/plan-your-visit/directions-parking.
Preferred/Premium Parking at State Farm Stadium
Preferred parking at State Farm Stadium is available in the Red and Grey Lots, which are the closest surface lots to the stadium entrances and offer the most direct walk inside.
For single-game visitors, preferred-tier lots are primarily reserved for season permit holders. Season preferred passes are available for $400 per season (some sources list $300 per season depending on package tier), making them the go-to option for fans attending multiple home games who want a guaranteed close-in spot every week. The North Preferred Lots are generally considered the most convenient of the preferred options, while the West Preferred Lots offer a solid balance between price and walkability.
The East Premium Turf Tailgate Lot is the highest-tier option at $1,000 per season pass. It sits on the east side of the stadium and includes access to a dedicated premium turf area for pre-game tailgating, the best setup for fans who want a full game-day experience from the moment they park. All preferred and premium passes must be purchased in advance through the Arizona Cardinals Ticket Office or the Cardinals Mobile App.
Free Parking Near State Farm Stadium
Truly free parking near State Farm Stadium is limited on game days, but budget-conscious fans have a few workable options.
The Westgate Entertainment District, located just north of the stadium, is one of the most popular free alternatives. Westgate has its own parking structure primarily serving the shops and restaurants of the complex, and fans who arrive early enough, and are willing to walk a few minutes, can sometimes park there without paying stadium rates. Be aware that Westgate lots enforce their own rules on event days, and availability fills quickly.
Some residential side streets and private lots along 91st, 93rd, and 99th Avenues offer informal day-of parking for cash, though these are not officially affiliated with the stadium. Prices and availability vary, and there is no guarantee of safety or proximity. The best free strategy for budget fans is to park at a Valley Metro transit hub and ride the bus in, skipping the parking cost entirely, Route 70 along Glendale Avenue is the key route, and the fare is just $2 each way.
Can You Tailgate at State Farm Stadium?
Yes, tailgating is allowed at State Farm Stadium, and it is a major part of Cardinals game-day culture in Sportsman’s Park.
All Sportsman’s Park carpark lots open four hours before kickoff, and tailgating is permitted immediately upon lot opening. For a 1:25 PM kickoff, that means you can start tailgating at 10:15 AM. Tailgating is intended for game-day ticket holders only, parking passes alone do not grant access to tailgate areas. Alcohol consumption and food prep must end at kickoff, and carparks close one hour after the event ends.
The specific rules are straightforward: keep all tailgating activities directly behind your vehicle or in adjacent landscape areas; occupy only one parking stall; use above-ground weights for tents and avoid blocking walkways or other stalls; and saving parking spaces is not permitted, your group must arrive together. Open-flame grills and oil-frying equipment restrictions may apply depending on the event, so check the official Cardinals A-Z Guide for your specific game.
The East Premium Turf Tailgate Lot (season pass, $1,000) is the premium tailgating destination, offering a dedicated turf surface rather than asphalt. For fans who want the full game-day tailgate experience, arriving when lots open four hours before kickoff is the move.
ADA and Handicap Parking at State Farm Stadium
ADA-accessible parking is available in every Sportsman’s Park carpark lot, as well as in BLU Lot G and the Black Lot, making accessible spots available across all areas of the parking footprint.
Over 2,000 ADA parking spaces are available for events at State Farm Stadium. A valid state-issued disabled hangtag or license plate is required to park in a signed accessible space. Vehicles must also have a valid Cardinals mobile parking pass to enter Sportsman’s Park or off-site gameday parking areas. Accessible spaces are available on a first-come, first-served basis, so arriving early is strongly recommended for high-demand games.
The stadium operates a complimentary ADA courtesy cart service from designated accessible parking areas to the stadium plaza security checkpoints. Carts are available for disabled fans and one companion only, and they take riders to the closest entrance only, no cart service is available inside the stadium. The service runs from two hours before kickoff through one hour after the game ends. Post-game, fans should wait at the ADA Shuttle Tents adjacent to where they were dropped off to schedule a return ride to their vehicle. For questions about accessible parking, contact the Cardinals Ticket Office at 602-379-0102 or reach the stadium’s Guest Experience team at guestservices@statefarmstadium.com.
Uber and Lyft Drop-Off at State Farm Stadium
The designated Uber and Lyft drop-off and pickup zone at State Farm Stadium is the Black Lot, located south of the stadium across Cardinals Way and Bethany Home Road.
For drop-off, enter your driver’s destination as the Black Lot at State Farm Stadium so they are routed correctly. After the game, walk back to the Black Lot to request your return ride. This is a consistent location used for Cardinals games, the Fiesta Bowl, and major events, and it is clearly signed on event days.
From downtown Phoenix, expect a rideshare fare in the range of $25 to $40 and roughly 25 minutes of travel time outside of game-day traffic. Post-game surge pricing can spike sharply once the final whistle blows, in some cases adding a significant surcharge within minutes of the game ending. To avoid peak surge, consider walking to the Westgate Entertainment District just north of the stadium, grab a bite or a drink, and request your ride 20 to 30 minutes after the crowd disperses when prices settle back down.
Public Transit to State Farm Stadium
State Farm Stadium is reachable by public transit via the Valley Metro bus network, though it requires more planning than driving or rideshare since the light rail does not extend to Glendale.
Valley Metro Route 70 is the primary bus route serving the stadium. It runs along Glendale Avenue and stops near 95th Avenue, adjacent to the Westgate Entertainment District, a short five-minute walk to the stadium gates. The standard fare is $2 per ride. Route 70 is the most straightforward option for fans starting their journey along the Glendale Avenue corridor or connecting from central Phoenix.
For fans coming from the East Valley or downtown Phoenix, the recommended approach is to take the Valley Metro Light Rail westbound to the Desert Sky Transit Center at 79th Avenue and McDowell Road, then board the game-day shuttle service that operates on select Cardinals home game days from that transit hub to the stadium. The full trip takes approximately 45 minutes. Note that the game-day shuttle is not guaranteed for every home game, confirm availability at valleymetro.org or on the Arizona Cardinals website before your trip.
Bus frequency on some Valley Metro routes can drop during evening hours, so check the last departure time for the return trip before you leave for the game. A practical approach many fans use is to take public transit inbound and rideshare home after the game if the late bus schedule is too tight.
State Farm Stadium Parking Tips
The single most important tip for parking at State Farm Stadium: buy your pass in advance through the Cardinals Mobile App or the official Cardinals website, because passes are not sold at the gate on game day.
Arrive at least 90 minutes before kickoff for a general lot, or two hours early if you plan to tailgate. Lots open four hours before kickoff, and the best tailgate spots in Sportsman’s Park fill up fast. For Preferred parking, enter at Maryland Avenue and 95th Avenue only, using Waze with the search ‘Red Lot – State Farm Stadium’ routes you straight to the correct entry point and saves confusion on busy game days.
Fans focused on convenience should target the North Preferred or West Preferred Lots for the shortest walk to the stadium. Fans focused on savings should target the Yellow or Black Lots and budget for the extra walking distance. For oversized vehicles, the Lot F Oversize area on the east side is your only designated option and opens 30 minutes earlier than all other lots.
On hot Arizona game days, which describes most of the regular season, the covered Purple Garage is a popular choice for fans who want shade for their vehicle. If you are skipping the car entirely, Valley Metro Route 70 on Glendale Avenue drops off a five-minute walk from the gates for $2 each way, making it the best budget option in the entire parking ecosystem.
Heading to a show? See our State Farm Stadium bag policy for everything else you need to know before you go.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does parking cost at State Farm Stadium for Cardinals games?
Parking at State Farm Stadium ranges from approximately $10 to $30 per vehicle depending on the lot. Single-game purchasers park in the Yellow or Black Lots for around $20 per spot. Preferred Red and Grey Lots are reserved primarily for season permit holders.
Can I buy parking at State Farm Stadium on game day?
No. Parking passes for State Farm Stadium must be purchased in advance and are not available for purchase at the stadium on game day. Buy your pass through the Cardinals Mobile App or the official Cardinals website before you head to the game.
Where do Uber and Lyft drop off at State Farm Stadium?
The designated rideshare pickup and drop-off location is the Black Lot, situated south of the stadium across Cardinals Way and Bethany Home Road. After the game, walk to the Black Lot to request your return ride.
Is tailgating allowed at State Farm Stadium?
Yes, tailgating is allowed in Sportsman’s Park carparks starting when lots open four hours before kickoff. Tailgating is for game-day ticket holders only, must stay behind your vehicle, and alcohol and food prep must end at kickoff.
Where is ADA parking at State Farm Stadium?
ADA-accessible parking is available in every Sportsman’s Park lot, BLU Lot G, and the Black Lot. A valid state-issued disabled hangtag or license plate is required. Courtesy cart service is available from accessible lots to stadium entrances starting two hours before kickoff.
What is the cheapest parking option near State Farm Stadium?
The Yellow and Black Lots are the most affordable official options, typically around $20 per game. For budget fans, riding Valley Metro Route 70 bus along Glendale Avenue to the 95th Avenue stop costs just $2 each way and puts you a five-minute walk from the gates.
How early do State Farm Stadium parking lots open for Cardinals games?
Parking lots open four hours before kickoff for Cardinals games. The Lot F Oversized Vehicle Lot is the exception, opening 4.5 hours before kickoff. Lots close one hour after the event ends.
Is there a parking garage at State Farm Stadium?
Yes, the Purple Garage is one of the color-coded parking areas within Sportsman’s Park. It is a popular option on hot Arizona game days because it offers covered, shaded parking not available in the surface lots.
