All You Need to Know About the Next Super Bowl Stadium: State Farm Stadium
As most NFL fans know, the Super Bowl stadium rotates from one year to the next. Last season, SoFi Stadium in Southern California was able to showcase itself with great success. For Super Bowl LVII in February 2023, State Farm Stadium in Arizona will get that honor. It will be the third time the stadium hosts the Super Bowl, not to mention far from the first major sporting event it will host. But if you’ve never been to State Farm Stadium or you’re thinking about buying Super Bowl tickets, let’s take a closer look at everything you need to know about the next stadium to host the Super Bowl.
A Little History
State Farm Stadium first opened in 2006, with construction starting in 2003. The stadium was a necessity after the Arizona Cardinals moved to the Phoenix area from St. Louis in 1988. For over a decade, the Cardinals played their home games at Arizona State’s Sun Devil Stadium. But after the Cardinals grew tired of being tenants in a college stadium, the Cardinals finally got their new stadium. Between 2006 and 2018, the venue was known as the University of Phoenix Stadium before being renamed State Farm Stadium. Rather quickly, the new stadium became not just the home of the Cardinals but also the host of other major sporting and entertainment events.
Previous Super Bowls
State Farm Stadium has hosted two previous Super Bowls, both of which are all-time classics. The first Super Bowl there was Super Bowl XLII between the Giants and the Patriots. This was the Super Bowl that included David Tyree’s famous “Helmet Catch,” with the Giants beating the Patriots, preventing them from achieving a perfect season. The Patriots also played in the other Super Bowl at State Farm Stadium, facing the Seahawks in XLIX. This Super Bowl also had an unforgettable ending, with New England’s Malcolm Butler intercepting Russell Wilson in the closing seconds to secure a win for the Patriots.
Other Big Events
Over the years, State Farm Stadium has done far more than hosting the Cardinals and a couple of Super Bowls. Since 2007, it’s been the site of the annual Fiesta Bowl, including Boise State’s famous upset over Oklahoma. The stadium has also hosted two college football title games, including the College Football Playoff showdown in January 2016 between Clemson and Alabama. State Farm Stadium was also used to host the Final Four in 2017 and will do so again in 2024. There have also been over 20 soccer games and several high-profile concerts at State Farm Stadium, with U2, Metallica, Taylor Swift, and The Rolling Stones among the artists to perform there.
Retractable Roof and Field
Outside of hosting so many special events, part of what makes State Farm Stadium special is that it has both a retractable roof and a retractable field. In fact, this is why the stadium is able to host so many big events. The retractable field allows games to be played on the grass, while other events can take place on the stadium floor. Meanwhile, the retractable roof is able to let the sunshine into the venue while also allowing for air conditioning and a closed roof when the Arizona heat becomes unbearable.
Sit Where You Like
The fan experience at State Farm Stadium is another reason why it has been selected for so many big events. There are wide concourses to make it easy to get around. The stadium also has a massive video board that can be seen from anywhere in the venue. Most importantly, the sightlines are incredible throughout all four levels of the stadium. There are no obstructed views, giving every seat at State Farm Stadium a great view of the field.
What Is There to Eat and Drink?
The Super Bowl always pulls out all of the stops when it comes to food and drink selection, but State Farm Stadium is already well ahead of the pack. There are over 50 concession locations spread throughout the stadium, ensuring that there is something for everyone and that lines remain short. Fans can find anything they want, from burgers to chicken wings to turkey legs to specialty hot dogs. There are even several dessert options, including gelato, frozen yogurt, and the intriguing churro donut sundae. Of course, by the time the Super Bowl rolls around, the food options inside State Farm Stadium will be even better.
In the Neighborhood
Even though State Farm Stadium is in Glendale, several miles from downtown Phoenix, there are a lot of other places of interest around the stadium for fans to visit during Super Bowl week. There is the Westgate Mall, an open-air mall that has movie theaters, bars, restaurants, and countless retail locations. The area also has golf courses and ranches to visit. State Farm Arena is also located next to Gila River Arena, which is the home of the NHL’s Phoenix Coyotes. Of course, most of the major tourist attractions in Phoenix are within a 30-minute drive of State Farm Stadium, which should make it easy to find fun things to do in the days before the next Super Bowl.