State Farm Stadium
State Farm Stadium
63,400 (expandable to 72,200standing room to at least 78,600)
Both Indoor & Outdoor
United States of America
State Farm Stadium, formerly known as the University of Phoenix Stadium, is a versatile stage situated in the west of Phoenix near Glendale. It was inaugurated on 1st August 2006. The National Football League’s well-known team of Arizona Cardinals uses the venue as its home ground. It is exceptionally well built, enabling it to organize various events ranging from the Cardinals’ home matches to shows intended for corporate, consumer or social purposes. This architectural stadium’s unique characteristic is its inbuilt, retractable natural lawn, which serves as the playing area with the Airfield drainage structure running below it. In 2006, the stadium was opened as the Cardinals Stadium. Later that year, in September, the University of Phoenix acquired the rights to the name, renaming it the University of Phoenix Stadium, in accordance with an original 20-year agreement. The current name was announced in September 2018 and came from the insurance company State Farm, which has taken on an 18-year commitment to the naming rights deal. The stadium adjoins the Gila River Arena, the home arena of the Arizona Coyotes of the National Hockey League.
Significance
- The triumph of the Cardinals' with a 32-25 score against the Eagles in January 2009 is one of the best victories which Arizona has seen.
- The stadium witnessed a remarkable match on 16th October, 2006, between unbeatable Chicago Bears and Cardinals. Chicago Bears made a turnaround by winning the game even when they were 20-points behind.
- On 1st January 2016, the 44th annual Fiesta Bowl competition was held between Ohio State and Notre Dame.
- The stadium witnessed one of the biggest crowds in its history on 7th February, 2007 when almost 62,462 people gathered to view the soccer game between the United States Men's National Soccer team and Mexico national football team. Mexico was defeated in this match.
- On 27th November, 2015 the Football Championship of AIA State High School was held here.
- State Farm Stadium replaced the Sun Devil Stadium at Tempe as the main stadium of the Valley of the Sun.
- The stadium hosted the Fiesta Bowl, 2007 and 2011 BCS National Championship, 2016 College Football Playoff National Championship, Super Bowl XLII in 2008, Pro Bowl and Super Bowl XLIX in 2015, and will host Super Bowl LVII in 2023.
- In terms of football, it was one of the stadiums for the 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup, as well as the first semifinals of the 2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup and 2016 Centenario America's Cup.
- In terms of basketball, he hosted the 2017 NCAA Final Four, which is scheduled to return in 2024.
