The Loop 101 Freeway is the only highway that runs near State Farm Stadium — and on Arizona Cardinals game day, it earns every inch of its reputation. The final stretch from the I-10 interchange into Glendale backs up hard in the 90 minutes before kickoff, and the ramp closures at Cardinals Way and Maryland Avenue that Glendale Police put in place during evening games turn a 30-minute drive from Phoenix into a 75-minute crawl. Getting there together, on time, without fighting for one of the limited Lot F oversized spaces or watching the rideshare Black Lot fill up from a dead-stop on the freeway — that is the problem a Phoenix charter bus rental solves in one move.

This guide covers the logistics that most rental pages skip: exactly where a bus drops off and parks at State Farm Stadium, what the Lot F oversized vehicle permit costs and how to get it, how the Valley Metro Desert Sky shuttle fits in, and what changes for the Fiesta Bowl versus a regular Sunday Cardinals game. Party Bus in Phoenix Arizona runs these game-day and event pickups all season, so the information below comes from coordinating real trips to 1 Cardinals Drive — not from a brochure. For a full look at how we handle sporting events across the Valley, see our Phoenix sporting event transportation service.

Stadium address

1 Cardinals Drive, Glendale, AZ 85305

Bus drop-off zone

Black Lot, south of stadium on Cardinals Way

Bus parking lot

Lot F Oversized — Gate 1, $75/game pass

Lot F opens

4.5 hours before kickoff

From Phoenix Sky Harbor

~20 miles · ~30 min off-peak via I-10 W to Loop 101 N

Stadium capacity

63,400 (expandable to 73,000)

Why Rent a Bus to State Farm Stadium?

State Farm Stadium sits in Glendale's sports and entertainment district — about 14 miles west of downtown Phoenix, 17 miles from Scottsdale, and roughly 20 miles from Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport via I-10 West and Loop 101 North. Those distances feel manageable until 60,000 fans are all trying to reach the same stretch of the 101 at the same time. Loop 101 is the only freeway near the stadium.

When it backs up — and for major events, it always does — there is no alternate route that saves you. The Arizona Department of Transportation routinely warns West Valley commuters to expect heavy traffic on I-10 and the Loop 101 Agua Fria Freeway several hours before Cardinals kickoffs, and after a September 2025 Monday Night Football game, gridlock extended well past Glendale Avenue with hundreds of fans walking in from parked cars on surface streets.

Renting a charter bus in Phoenix for the trip changes the calculation entirely. Your group rides together, the pregame energy builds on the bus, and nobody draws the short straw for designated driver. The bus drops everyone in the Black Lot on Cardinals Way, steps from the stadium gates, while thousands of other fans are still waiting to exit Loop 101.

Post-game, the same bus is waiting and ready — no surge-priced rideshare wait, no 20-minute hike back from a surface street where you parked for free at 8:00 a.m.

Charter Bus Drop-Off and Pickup at State Farm Stadium

Here is the part that matters most and that most rental pages leave vague. The designated drop-off and pickup area for rideshare, family-and-friends, and charter bus groups at State Farm Stadium is the Black Lot, located south of the stadium along Cardinals Way and Bethany Home Road. Per the stadium's official directions and parking page, this is the coordinated zone for all vehicle drop-offs that are not parking on site.

Your bus pulls into the westbound lane of Cardinals Way in the Black Lot, your group steps off, and the walk to the nearest stadium gates is short and well-marked. There is no 25-minute hike from a remote lot — you are already south of the stadium, right at the entry corridor.

For pickup after the game, set a clear meeting point and time with our team before your group goes inside. The Black Lot fills with rideshare and pickup traffic after the final whistle, so having a confirmed window and spot cuts out any post-game confusion. We wait nearby during the event and pull up when your group is ready — no scramble, no surge pricing.

The one-line version: your bus drops your group at the Black Lot on Cardinals Way, south of State Farm Stadium — the same zone the stadium designates for all coordinated drop-offs. That's the detail that puts your crew at the gates instead of circling the Loop 101 on-ramp with everyone else.

State Farm Stadium, 1 Cardinals Drive, Glendale, AZ 85305 — home of the Arizona Cardinals, the annual Fiesta Bowl, WrestleMania, major concerts, and Super Bowl events. The Black Lot drop-off zone sits south of the stadium along Cardinals Way.

Where the Bus Parks — Lot F, Gate 1, and the $75 Permit

Here is the detail that catches first-time group organizers off guard: oversized vehicle parking at State Farm Stadium requires a valid Lot F Oversized Vehicle mobile parking pass purchased in advance, at $75 per game. There is no oversized vehicle parking sold at the gate on game day. Per the official Cardinals parking and directions page, each pass is valid for one space and one vehicle only, with a maximum parking space length of 45 feet.

Oversized vehicles enter through Gate 1 and proceed to the designated Lot F area, where tailgating is permitted. Lot F opens 4.5 hours before kickoff — earlier than most general parking.

Passes are available through the Cardinals Mobile App or at azcardinals.com/tickets. Buy them as soon as your group's date is confirmed — Lot F is limited, and popular matchups (Monday Night Football, divisional games, any December playoff-race game) see passes disappear well before game day. The $75 per-game price is for the oversized space itself, separate from your charter bus rental quote.

The math is straightforward once you run it. A single charter bus replaces a caravan of 10 to 15 cars, each of which needs its own pre-purchased parking pass in the Blue, Red, or Black lots — at prices starting around $35 to $50 per car, per the stadium's published parking tiers. One bus, one $75 oversized pass, and the entire group enters through Gate 1 into Lot F with room to set up a proper tailgate.

That beats 14 separate car passes by a significant margin, and the bus stays with your gear the whole time.

Confirm the Plan When You Book — Here's Why

State Farm Stadium hosts the Cardinals, the Fiesta Bowl, Supercross, WrestleMania, and stadium-scale concerts — and the approach logistics shift by event. For a regular-season NFL game, Cardinals Way and Loop 101 ramps are managed but open. For the College Football Playoff Fiesta Bowl and major concerts, Glendale Police close the Loop 101 ramps at Cardinals Way and Maryland Avenue, typically from around 6:30 PM until 10:30 PM on evening events, routing all traffic onto surface streets.

For the Fiesta Bowl semifinal on January 8, 2026, road management was active for the full evening. Monster Energy AMA Supercross on February 8, 2026 drew its own separate traffic approach, with the inner Loop 101 corridor backed up well before the event start.

Because the approach route and lot assignments change with the event, any guide giving a fixed "exit at Cardinals Way and pull straight in" instruction may already be off for your specific date. Our 24/7 reservation team confirms your group's exact drop point, the current ramp and road situation, and the Lot F Gate 1 routing for your event when you book — so you are not discovering a closed ramp at 6:15 PM with a bus full of Cardinals fans. We always recommend checking the official State Farm Stadium parking page and current road advisory information before game day.

Getting to State Farm Stadium: Every Option Compared

The West Valley is not known for convenient public transit, and rideshares for large groups fragment fast. We're a bus company — but let's be straight with you: a charter bus isn't automatically the right answer for every group. Here's the honest comparison for a group heading to 1 Cardinals Drive.

Option Cost shape Arrive together? Drop-off quality Drinking / tailgating Best group size
Private charter bus or party bus One flat rate, split by the group Yes — one vehicle, one arrival Best — Black Lot on Cardinals Way, south gate access Yes — no one drives home 15–56
Valley Metro Route 70 + Desert Sky shuttle $2/ride per person each way Only if you stay together at every transfer Good — Desert Sky Transit Center shuttle to stadium No — bus/light rail rules apply Any, but no group control
Rideshare (Uber / Lyft) Per car each way + post-game surge No — multiple cars, multiple ETAs Fair — Black Lot, but each car books separately Yes, but fragmented and expensive 1–4 per car
Everyone drives and parks Pre-bought pass per car + gas No — caravans split up Varies by lot color No — everyone needs a designated driver 1–2 cars

For one or two people coming from the East Valley, the Valley Metro combination is worth knowing: board light rail to Desert Sky Transit Center at 79th Avenue and McDowell Road, then catch the game-day shuttle that only runs for Cardinals home games, with the full trip running roughly 45 minutes from downtown Phoenix. That is a real, low-cost option for small groups willing to manage transfers. But the moment your party fills two or three cars, the coordination cost — multiple ETAs, split tailgate gear, designated driver logistics, and post-game surge pricing — tips the math toward one bus every time.

Valley Metro and the Desert Sky Shuttle, Explained

Valley Metro Route 70. The primary bus route serving the State Farm Stadium area runs along Glendale Avenue at a $2 fare per ride. On non-game days it is the main public transit option to the area.

It does not drop at the stadium gates; you connect to the shuttle or walk the final stretch. For groups with luggage or anyone arriving from outside the Route 70 corridor, this is logistically complicated.

Desert Sky Transit Center Shuttle. Valley Metro operates a game-day only shuttle from the Desert Sky Transit Center (79th Ave and McDowell Road) to State Farm Stadium for Cardinals home games. Light rail riders transfer at the 79th Ave/McDowell stop and board the shuttle there.

The total trip from downtown Phoenix runs about 45 minutes. The shuttle does not operate for concerts, Supercross, the Fiesta Bowl, or any non-Cardinals NFL event — for those, Route 70 is the public option. Check the Valley Metro sports destinations page for current Cardinals game schedules and shuttle details before your trip.

There is no transit option that drops your whole group at the Black Lot coordinated zone without at least one transfer. A Phoenix charter bus rental is the only option that picks everyone up at one address and delivers them to the same spot at the stadium — no transfers, no staggered arrivals.

What Size Bus Does Your Group Need?

Not every group heading to a Cardinals game needs the same vehicle. The right pick comes down to two things: how many people are making the trip, and how much tailgate gear you're hauling into Lot F. Here's how our fleet breaks down for a State Farm Stadium run.

Vehicle Typical seats Luggage / gear Best for Key amenities
14-passenger Sprinter limo / Sprinter van Up to ~14 Modest — coolers, a few bags Small groups, suite holders, VIP outings Premium leather, USB charging, tinted privacy windows
Party bus (15–50 passengers) ~15–50 Onboard, lighter carry-on style Fan groups wanting the rolling pregame Built-in bar, color-changing LED lighting, Bluetooth sound, flat-panel TVs, dance area
15–35 passenger minibus ~15–35 Overhead plus some underfloor Mid-size groups, quick Valley hops Powerful A/C, plush reclining seats
40–56 passenger charter bus Up to 56 Excellent — deep undercarriage bays Large fan groups, corporate outings, out-of-town groups Reclining seats, climate control, overhead storage, WiFi, power outlets, onboard restroom, undercarriage bays

For fan groups wanting the full rolling pregame, our 15- to 50-passenger party buses come with a built-in bar, color-changing LED lighting, and a Bluetooth sound system — the energy is up from the moment the bus leaves Tempe or Scottsdale. For groups bringing serious tailgate gear into Lot F, a full-size charter bus has deep undercarriage bays that swallow grills, folding tables, and a 60-quart cooler with room to spare, plus an onboard restroom for the drive back. ADA-accessible vehicles are always available — just let us know before your departure date.

State Farm Stadium Bus Rental Prices

Party Bus In Phoenix Arizona offers all-inclusive pricing online in under 30 seconds — you will know the exact price before you ever book. There is no single sticker number, because the quote depends on a handful of clear factors:

  • Vehicle size — a 56-passenger charter bus and a 14-passenger Sprinter limo are different rates.
  • Total hours — how long the vehicle is dedicated to your group, including Lot F tailgate time and the post-game wait.
  • Date and matchup — a regular-season afternoon game prices differently than a Monday Night Football primetime kickoff or the Fiesta Bowl.
  • Pickup location — a Tempe or Chandler pickup runs shorter mileage than a Scottsdale or Mesa origin.

For real ranges to anchor your estimate: 14-passenger Sprinter limos run $170–$344/hour; 15–20 passenger party buses run $204–$378/hour; 20–30 passenger party buses run $244–$414/hour; 35–50 passenger party buses and minibuses run $294–$490/hour; and 40–56 passenger charter buses run $150–$300/hour. The $75 Lot F oversized vehicle pass is a separate cost you purchase directly through the Cardinals. Call 480-425-9845 any time for a free, all-inclusive price quote at no obligation to you.

Here is the per-person math that usually settles the question. A 40-passenger charter bus at a mid-range hourly rate, split 40 ways, lands your per-person cost well below the combination of a parking pass, gas, and the designated-driver trade-off. Add in the convenience of one arrival, one Lot F spot, and one post-game pickup, and the group bus is usually both simpler and better value than the caravan.

Check our Phoenix party bus prices page to learn more, or call 480-425-9845 to run the numbers for your specific group size and date.

A Real Game-Day Example

Here is how a recent trip to State Farm Stadium came together. A 36-person fan group booked a 40-passenger party bus for a Sunday afternoon Cardinals game last November. Pickup at 10:00 AM from a hotel block near Camelback Road in Scottsdale, into the Black Lot on Cardinals Way by 11:15 AM — over four hours before a 2:25 PM kickoff, early enough to claim their Lot F spot and set up properly.

The undercarriage bays handled the cooler, the canopy, and the folding table. Group tailgated through 1:30 PM, walked to the gates, and the bus was waiting for a 5:30 PM post-game pickup. The 8-hour all-inclusive rental came to $2,200 — about $61 per person, covering the pickup, the Lot F drop, and the ride back to Scottsdale with a 12-pack and no one behind the wheel.

Getting There: Routes, Traffic, and Timing

State Farm Stadium sits at 1 Cardinals Drive in Glendale — off Loop 101 between Cardinals Way and Glendale Avenue, roughly 14 miles west of downtown Phoenix and 20 miles from Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport. Approximate drive times from common pickup points on a non-event day:

From… Approx. distance Typical drive time (off-peak)
Downtown Phoenix / Chase Field area ~16 miles 20–30 minutes
Tempe / ASU / Mill Avenue ~18 miles 25–35 minutes
Scottsdale / Old Town area ~25 miles 30–40 minutes
Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport (PHX) ~20 miles 25–35 minutes
Mesa / Gilbert ~28–33 miles 35–45 minutes
Chandler / Ahwatukee ~25–30 miles 30–40 minutes

Those times double or worse on game days. The Loop 101 is the only freeway access point — there is no bypass. ADOT specifically warns motorists to expect heavy traffic on I-10 and the 101 Agua Fria Freeway before and after Cardinals games and major events.

For evening games, Glendale Police close the 101 ramp at Cardinals Way and the Maryland Avenue ramp during peak flow windows. For a Fiesta Bowl semifinal or a sold-out stadium concert, expect closures to begin earlier and clear later.

The advantage of a Phoenix charter bus rental: your group skips the wait in the stopped lane. We build the approach timing around your event's traffic pattern, factor in the Lot F arrival window (4.5 hours before kickoff), and have the bus positioned so your group is in the parking lot setting up while everyone else is still on the 101. Call 480-425-9845 and we'll plan the route around your kickoff time and pickup location.

Coming From Out of Town? Airports, Hotels, and the Westgate District

For the Fiesta Bowl, a major WrestleMania event, or a sold-out Cardinals–49ers matchup, a significant share of the crowd is flying in from out of state — and a bus handles the airport-to-stadium trip cleanly. Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) sits about 20 miles southeast of State Farm Stadium via I-10 West to Loop 101 North. A single pickup at Sky Harbor's Terminal 3 or Terminal 4 baggage claim gathers your whole group and runs them straight to Glendale, instead of booking a fleet of rideshares from four separate terminals at varying times.

For groups staying in the Westgate area, the logistics are already solved: Westgate Entertainment District sits 0.4 miles from State Farm Stadium and becomes the pregame hub before every Cardinals home game, with an open-air beer garden, live music, food, and flat-screen TVs in WaterDance Plaza starting about three hours before kickoff. Westgate offers free parking year-round, including on Cardinals game days, though paid event parking in Westgate's own lots starts four hours before kickoff. For charter bus and oversized vehicle accommodations at Westgate specifically, contact Westgate Management at (623) 266-6693.

The walk from Westgate to the stadium gates is about 7 minutes — and the group that arrives by charter bus to the Black Lot on Cardinals Way never needs to navigate that walk from a parking lot at all.

For groups flying in through Scottsdale or via a connection at Phoenix–Mesa Gateway Airport (AZA) in Mesa — about 32 miles southeast of the stadium — a single bus pickup handles the consolidation so no one is figuring out surface-street navigation to Glendale on their own. This is especially useful for Fiesta Bowl weekends, when hotels are spread across the East Valley and groups need one clean transfer to the stadium.

Tailgating at State Farm Stadium: The Rules

Lot F is the dedicated oversized vehicle lot, and tailgating is permitted there from the moment the lot opens 4.5 hours before kickoff. That is the tailgate window: your bus claims its pre-purchased spot, gear comes out of the undercarriage bays, and the group has the full early-arrival window before the rest of the parking lots even open. A few things to know before your group sets up, drawn from the stadium's published policies and the official Cardinals A-Z Guide:

  • One space, one vehicle. Each Lot F pass covers a single space for one vehicle up to 45 feet in length. Occupy your space, not your neighbor's — do not block adjacent spots or save space for a second bus without a second pass.
  • Tailgating is for pre-game only. Post-game tailgating is not permitted. Your group should wrap up and return to the bus before the stadium empties, not after.
  • The Great Lawn is ticketed members only. Lot F tailgate is the right option for a bus group — the on-site Great Lawn area is reserved for season-ticket members.
  • Alcohol rules apply. Excessive or underage drinking will not be tolerated, and drinking games or binge-drinking activities are prohibited. The stadium enforces this throughout the parking lots.
  • Nothing in tow. Vehicles cannot enter the stadium grounds towing anything. All tailgate gear — grills, coolers, folding tables — rides in the bus's undercarriage bays and comes out in the lot.
  • Cashless venue. State Farm Stadium accepts only credit and debit cards in all parking areas. Have payment ready on the Cardinals app or at the gate readers.

Clear Bag Policy and Stadium Entry

The NFL's clear bag policy is in effect for every Cardinals game and for most non-NFL events at State Farm Stadium. Per the stadium's official clear bag policy page, each guest may bring one clear plastic, vinyl, or PVC bag no larger than 12"x12"x6", or a one-gallon clear plastic freezer bag. A small clutch bag no larger than 4.5"x6.5"x2" — approximately hand-sized — is permitted in addition to the clear bag.

Backpacks, non-clear bags, coolers, outside food and drinks, glass containers, and cans are prohibited. One factory-sealed water bottle is allowed.

If a fan arrives with a non-compliant bag, two mobile bag-check locations operate outside the secured perimeter on game day — but there is no storage inside the stadium. The clear bag policy applies to Supercross and most stadium events in addition to NFL games. For the Fiesta Bowl and other college football events, confirm the specific bag rules through the College Football Playoff's event guidance, as enforcement follows the same NFL-style protocol.

Know the policy before your group boards the bus, so no one is sorting it out at the gate.

What's Happening at State Farm Stadium in 2026

State Farm Stadium's calendar is one of the fullest in the Southwest, and the events that draw the biggest groups — and the most parking pressure — are spread across the entire year.

  • Fiesta Bowl College Football Playoff Semifinal (January 8, 2026). Already played, but it illustrates the pattern: sold-out stadium, Loop 101 ramp closures active through the evening, and Lot F oversized passes that sold out well in advance. The 2026–27 Fiesta Bowl returns in January 2027 on the same schedule. If your group is planning for that event, book bus transportation and the Lot F pass as soon as dates are confirmed.
  • Monster Energy AMA Supercross (February 8, 2026). One of the most compressed load-in events at the stadium — the dirt fill-in and track build adds additional Glendale street activity in the days before. Parking passes for this event start around $48 on the secondary market and sold out early. A charter bus to Glendale for Supercross sidesteps the entire parking and approach scramble.
  • Arizona Cardinals regular season (September–January). Home games at State Farm Stadium are the most common reason groups book a bus in Phoenix. Primetime matchups — Monday Night Football, Sunday Night Football, Thursday Night Football — compress the Loop 101 the hardest, with ADOT and Glendale PD advisories in place for each. Lock in your bus and Lot F pass early for any primetime date.
  • Ed Sheeran LOOP Tour (June 13, 2026). Stadium-scale concerts pack the same Loop 101 approach as any NFL game, without the usual mid-week game-day advisories. Cardinals Way ramp closures are event-by-event for concerts — verify the current traffic plan with our team when you book your Phoenix party bus rental for the show.
  • Karol G Viajando Por El Mundo Tropitour (August 29, 2026) and Zach Bryan Heaven on Tour (September 5, 2026) kick off what will be a busy fall concert-and-football overlap. Back-to-back weeks of full-stadium events at the start of Cardinals season mean Lot F demand runs high and Westgate fills fast. Both dates are worth booking transportation for well in advance.

For peak events like any playoff game, WrestleMania, or back-to-back concert weekends, the right-size buses go first. Call 480-425-9845 as soon as your event date is confirmed.

Trip Types We Handle to State Farm Stadium

Different groups, same goal: everyone arrives together, on time, and without the Loop 101 stress. The runs we handle most often for State Farm Stadium:

  • Cardinals fan groups and tailgaters. A 20- to 56-person fan group pickup from Tempe, Scottsdale, or the East Valley, with the party bus bar stocked and the Lot F spot secured — the tailgate starts on Cardinals Way, not in a parking structure on I-10.
  • Corporate and suite groups. Move clients and staff from downtown Phoenix hotels or Scottsdale resorts to a suite level or club seat, without anyone navigating the Loop 101 ramp situation themselves. See our Phoenix corporate event transportation service for standing shuttle arrangements.
  • Out-of-town groups for the Fiesta Bowl or major events. Groups flying into Sky Harbor who need one coordinated bus from Terminal 4 baggage claim to Glendale, with a hotel stop en route, and a post-game return. No transfers, no splitting the group into rideshares.
  • Concert groups. Stadium-scale shows where Cardinals Way gets as backed up as any NFL Sunday — a Phoenix charter bus takes the group straight to the Black Lot and picks everyone up at a confirmed time when the encore ends.
  • Birthday and celebration groups. A Cardinals game or a Supercross night that doubles as a milestone birthday, with the party bus bar and LED lighting turning the drive into part of the celebration.

Booking, Tailgate Timing, and Post-Game Pickup

Booking a bus to State Farm Stadium is straightforward, and a little lead time makes it seamless:

  1. Request a quote with your group size, pickup location, event date, and how much pregame tailgate time you want in Lot F.
  2. Secure your Lot F pass. The $75 oversized vehicle pass is purchased separately through the Cardinals app or azcardinals.com — we'll remind you and confirm it's in hand before your event date.
  3. Set your post-game pickup window. Arrange the post-game time and meeting spot with our team before your group goes inside, so the bus is ready and waiting when the final whistle blows.

A few timing questions we hear constantly: how early should we arrive? Lot F opens 4.5 hours before kickoff — plan to be at the Black Lot drop-off 4 to 4.5 hours before game time if you want the full tailgate. For evening games or Fiesta Bowl-level events where Loop 101 ramp closures start early, add a 30-minute buffer to that approach.

Can the bus stay during the game? Yes — the bus is booked as a block of hours, holds your tailgate gear in the undercarriage bays during the game, and waits nearby for your post-game pickup window. You set that window before the group splits up, so no one is stranded at the Black Lot exit after the crowd pours out.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where does a charter bus drop off at State Farm Stadium?

The designated drop-off and pickup zone for charter buses, rideshare, and family-and-friends pickups is the Black Lot, south of State Farm Stadium along Cardinals Way and Bethany Home Road. Per the stadium's official directions and parking page, this is the coordinated zone for all non-parking vehicle drop-offs. Your group steps off and walks directly to the nearest stadium gate entrances from there — no remote lot, no extended hike.

Where does a bus park at State Farm Stadium?

Oversized vehicles park in Lot F, entering through Gate 1 at State Farm Stadium. Each bus needs a valid Lot F Oversized Vehicle mobile parking pass purchased in advance for $75, available through the Cardinals app or azcardinals.com. Lot F opens 4.5 hours before kickoff, tailgating is permitted, and each pass covers one space for one vehicle up to 45 feet.

There is no day-of oversized parking sold at the gate.

How much does it cost to rent a bus to State Farm Stadium?

Pricing depends on vehicle size, total hours (including Lot F tailgate time and the post-game wait), the event date, and pickup location. As a guide: 14-passenger Sprinter limos run $170–$344/hour; 15–20 passenger party buses run $204–$378/hour; 20–30 passenger party buses run $244–$414/hour; 35–50 passenger party buses and minibuses run $294–$490/hour; and 40–56 passenger charter buses run $150–$300/hour. We provide an all-inclusive quote in under 30 seconds — no hidden costs.

Call 480-425-9845 for a free quote.

What roads close around State Farm Stadium on event days?

For evening NFL games and major events, Glendale Police typically close the Loop 101 ramps at Cardinals Way and Maryland Avenue, usually from roughly 6:30 PM to 10:30 PM, routing traffic onto surface streets. For sold-out playoff games, Fiesta Bowl semis, and major concerts, closures can begin earlier. Because the approach changes by event, we confirm the current road situation for your specific date when you book — and always recommend checking the official State Farm Stadium parking page before game day.

What is the bag policy at State Farm Stadium?

The NFL clear bag policy is enforced for Cardinals games and most events. Each guest may bring one clear plastic, vinyl, or PVC bag no larger than 12"x12"x6" (or a one-gallon clear ziplock bag), plus a small clutch no larger than 4.5"x6.5"x2". Backpacks, non-clear bags, outside food and drinks, coolers, cans, and glass containers are prohibited.

Two mobile bag-check locations operate outside the secured perimeter on game day. Full details are on the stadium's clear bag policy page.

Can the bus wait during the game and tailgate?

Yes. The bus is booked as a block of hours, so it can hold your tailgate gear in the undercarriage bays, wait in or near Lot F during the game, and be ready at your confirmed pickup location and time when you exit. Set that pickup window with our team before the group goes inside so there is no post-game confusion at the Black Lot exit.

Is there public transit to State Farm Stadium?

Valley Metro Route 70 runs along Glendale Avenue near the stadium at $2 per ride. For Cardinals home games, Valley Metro also operates a game-day shuttle from the Desert Sky Transit Center (79th Avenue and McDowell Road in Phoenix) — light rail riders transfer there and catch the shuttle, with the total trip from downtown Phoenix running about 45 minutes. The Desert Sky shuttle does not operate for concerts, Supercross, or college football events.

Check the Valley Metro sports destinations page for current Cardinals game schedules. There is no public transit option that delivers your whole group to the Black Lot drop-off zone without at least one transfer.

What is the closest airport to State Farm Stadium?

Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) is the closest, about 20 miles southeast via I-10 West to Loop 101 North — roughly 25 to 35 minutes off-peak. Phoenix–Mesa Gateway Airport (AZA) in Mesa is approximately 32 miles southeast and works well for groups flying in on Allegiant or regional carriers. Both airports are clean single-pickup origins for a bus: one vehicle collects your group at baggage claim and runs straight to Glendale, no rideshare coordination needed.

How far in advance should we book for a major event like the Fiesta Bowl or a sold-out concert?

As early as your date is confirmed. Peak events — Fiesta Bowl semis, any primetime Cardinals game, WrestleMania, and sold-out stadium concerts — fill the Phoenix metro's vehicle supply quickly and Lot F passes go even faster. For regular-season Sunday afternoon games outside primetime, two to four weeks of lead time is workable.

For anything that draws 60,000-plus people to Glendale, the earlier you call, the better your vehicle options and the more likely Lot F passes are still available.

Book Your State Farm Stadium Bus Today

The right bus for your next Cardinals game, Fiesta Bowl semifinal, or State Farm Stadium concert is just a call away. Party Bus in Phoenix Arizona has access to a fleet of party buses, charter buses, minibuses, Sprinter vans, and Sprinter limos across the Valley — and we drop your group at the Black Lot on Cardinals Way while everyone else is backed up on Loop 101. Give us a call any time at 480-425-9845 for an all-inclusive price quote, or use our online tool for instant availability.

Sources and Last Verified

Transportation logistics, parking passes, and event details at State Farm Stadium change by season and event type. Drop-off zone, Lot F procedures, bag policy, Valley Metro shuttle information, and Loop 101 road closure details verified in June 2026. Confirm current parking pass pricing, event-specific approach routes, and Lot F availability against the official pages below before your trip.