For things to do near State Farm Stadium on an event day, plan around the venue you’re attending: State Farm Stadium and Desert Diamond Arena have different access and parking arrangements. From Two Palms rooms near the event venues, the stadium is about 12 minutes by car and the arena about 10 minutes.
- State Farm Stadium: In Glendale’s Sports & Entertainment District, off Arizona Loop 101 between Cardinals Way and Glendale Avenue.
- Desert Diamond Arena: At 9400 West Maryland Avenue, Glendale, Arizona 85305.
- State Farm Stadium parking: Advance purchase is recommended; lots open four hours before Arizona Cardinals games.
- Desert Diamond Arena parking: Lots open one hour before event doors.
Check which venue and roads are affected
Start by confirming your venue and its event-day access details, since the stadium and arena have separate parking and drop-off arrangements.
State Farm Stadium sits in the Sports & Entertainment District, off Arizona Loop 101 between Cardinals Way and Glendale Avenue. Desert Diamond Arena is on West Maryland Avenue. The City of Glendale provides a Stadium/Arena Event Parking Map on its Stadium / Arena Event Parking & Traffic page, which can help you orient yourself before setting out.
Glendale’s transportation services include fixed-route buses, Glendale Dial-A-Ride, Glendale Urban Shuttle (GUS), ADA service and a taxi-voucher program. Glendale OnBoard is a shared microtransit and paratransit service that operates seven days a week, 365 days a year. Confirm the service and event arrangements that fit your trip before relying on them.
How do you get to State Farm Stadium?
State Farm Stadium is reached from Loop 101 and nearby surface streets, but event-day traffic direction can change with parking operations.
General parking access points include Glendale Avenue or Cardinals Way from Loop 101, as well as surface streets such as 91st Avenue and 99th Avenue.
Follow message boards, parking staff and Glendale police rather than assuming a particular entrance will be available. The venue recommends buying parking in advance through SeatGeek; on event day, vehicles are directed according to lot capacity and traffic flow.
For Arizona Cardinals games, parking lots open four hours before kickoff. For other major events, parking times vary by event, so check the event details. Parking areas are cashless and accept credit cards only.
Each Sportsman’s Park parking area has designated ADA spaces; display a valid state-issued hangtag or license plate, and ask the parking attendant for help if needed.
Preferred parking has a separate route: access is at Maryland Avenue and 95th Avenue. Southbound Loop 101 drivers are directed to exit at Cardinals Way, while northbound drivers exit at Glendale Avenue; both routes continue west to 99th Avenue and then east onto Maryland Avenue.
The stadium designates the Black Lot south of the stadium for rideshare and family-and-friends drop-off and pick-up. For more route context from the motel area, the how to get to State Farm Stadium guide covers the trip. Check the official site before you go, including the individual event page for access updates.
Getting to Desert Diamond Arena
Desert Diamond Arena’s event-day parking and passenger drop-off instructions are specific to the arena.
Parking lots open one hour before event doors. Day-of parking is offered in selected arena lots, including G, J, L, Yellow, Garage and VIP, with availability varying by event.
Prepaid parking can be purchased through individual event pages up to one hour before the event, and the arena says it guarantees on-site parking until 30 minutes after the event starts.
A parking pass covers one standard 12-foot-by-18-foot space; oversized vehicles need additional spaces. Accessible parking is first-come, first-served in Lots G and J and the Garage for vehicles displaying a valid disability placard or license plate. A prepaid permit or day-of-event fee is required. Overnight parking and camping are not permitted.
For rideshare, use “Desert Diamond Arena” as your destination. Drop-off is near AMC Westgate Movie Theater, a short walk from Gate 4. The Desert Diamond Arena parking guide can help you review the arena’s parking arrangements before choosing how to arrive.
Parking, rideshare and public transport
Choose your arrival method based on your event’s venue-specific instructions and the services available for your trip.
For State Farm Stadium, advance parking purchase is recommended, and the venue’s event page is the place to confirm event-specific parking times and updates. If you’re driving, follow event-day directions from staff, message boards and Glendale police. If someone is dropping you off or you’re using a rideshare, use the Black Lot south of the stadium.
At Desert Diamond Arena, check the event page for available parking and prepaid options. Rideshare passengers should set the arena as their destination and use the designated drop-off near AMC Westgate Movie Theater. Accessible parking arrangements differ between venues, so check the relevant venue’s instructions if you need them.
Glendale’s range of transportation services includes fixed-route buses, Dial-A-Ride, GUS, ADA service and taxi vouchers. Glendale OnBoard also operates year-round every day of the week. Check the City of Glendale’s event parking and traffic information alongside the venue details when planning your approach. The State Farm Stadium parking guide covers the stadium’s parking considerations in more detail.
Planning a return trip to the motel area
Plan your return around the same venue-specific pickup and traffic arrangements you used to arrive.
Event-day access and traffic direction may depend on venue operations. For a rideshare pickup at State Farm Stadium, use the designated Black Lot south of the stadium; at Desert Diamond Arena, follow the arena’s rideshare directions near AMC Westgate Movie Theater.
If you drove, follow staff and traffic directions as you leave rather than assuming the arrival route will remain open.
FAQs
Where is the rideshare drop-off for State Farm Stadium?
The designated rideshare and family-and-friends drop-off and pick-up area is in the Black Lot south of the stadium.
When do Desert Diamond Arena parking lots open?
The arena’s parking lots open one hour before event doors. Day-of parking availability varies by event.
Can you leave a vehicle overnight at Desert Diamond Arena?
No. Overnight parking and camping are not permitted at the arena.
What payment does State Farm Stadium accept for parking?
State Farm Stadium parking areas are cashless and accept credit cards only.