Super Bowl 2015 Stadium: How To Get To University Of Phoenix, Parking Permits, Tailgating, Stadium Facts And More

Super Bowl XLIX is just days away, with kickoff slated for Sunday. For the third time in Super Bowl history, the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, will become game day central as tens of thousands of fans flock to the metropolitan area for all the Super Bowl festivities.

As the New England Patriots get set to take on last year’s Super Bowl champions, the Seattle Seahawks, some football fans have forked over thousands and even tens of thousands of dollars to watch the teams go head-to-head. Average resold ticket prices were well over $3,000. Then there’s airfare, transportation to the stadium, parking and – the list goes on and on. If you are one of the lucky ones to snag a Super Bowl stadium seat, here’s your complete guide to getting to the University of Phoenix, parking and more.

Super Bowl XLIX: How To Get To University Of Phoenix Stadium

With limited public transportation, driving will be many peoples’ best option for getting to the stadium, located just 21.2 miles from the Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport, on game day. Some roads around Phoenix will be closed during the Super Bowl. Be sure to check the Arizona Department of Transportation website for updated road closures and plan accordingly.

To get to the University of Phoenix Stadium, take the Arizona Loop 101 Freeway. Drivers coming from the north should take exit Bethany Home and make a right. Make a left on 95th – the stadium will be on the right. From the south, take the Arizona Loop 101 Freeway to Glendale Avenue. Make a right onto Glendale and then a left onto 99th, followed by another left onto Maryland Ave.

Super Bowl XLIX: University Of Phoenix Stadium Parking

Anyone looking to park close to the stadium will need to get a parking permit first. Permits can be purchased online through the NFL’s Super Bowl XLIX website. Parking permits cost upwards of $100. Click here to get to the ticketing page. Parking lots open at 10:00 a.m.; security gates open at noon. Taxi cabs will be available for drop off and pick up passengers just north of Maryland Avenue on 95th Ave. Additional parking has opened up at the Desert Mirage Golf Course near the stadium. Parking permit prices start at $130.

Super Bowl XLIX: University Of Phoenix Stadium Facts

This year’s Super Bowl stadium has a capacity of about 63,400 but can expand to 72,200 seats. It features the country’s first fully retractable natural grass field as well as a retractable roof. These features allow the teams to play either indoors or outdoors. The exterior of the stadium was modeled after a barrel cactus, which are found all across the deserts of the U.S. Southwest. Twenty-one vertical slots in the stadium’s shell allow those seated inside to see the horizon. It was designed by architect Peter Eisenman at a cost of $455 million.

Super Bowl XLIX: Tailgating At University Of Phoenix Stadium

Fans with parking permits are allowed to tailgate and bring their own food and drinks into the parking lot. However, the stadium has banned all outside grills and won’t allow stadium attendees to take up additional parking spots with tents or other makeshift structures. The only food or drink allowed into the stadium area during the Super Bowl are those purchased at official NFL venues, the NFL has stated.