Cardinal’s Stadium

Copyright Karen Schaler All Rights Reserved

It’s ironic… I’m flying out of Arizona, headed for NYC, right when hundreds of New Yorkers are flooding in for this year’s Super Bowl.   Ever since Arizona won the bid for the “big game” the city of Glendale and the surrounding area has undergone a serious metamorphosis with the centerpiece being the stunning new stadium in Glendale…official name University of Phoenix Stadium. 

It took a huge chunk of change, 450-million dollars, but many say the Cardinal’s new stadium has surpassed all expectations. Set on 165-acres this uniquely designed 1.7 million square foot facility hosts Cardinal games and this Sunday will be the site of the Super Bowl XLII. 

From the moment you set eyes on this stadium you know this is no ordinary sports arena. The world renowned architect Peter Eiseman designed the stadium to resemble a barrel cactus. Yup, a cactus. Welcome to Arizona! The Stadium’s exterior features alternating sections of shinny metal panels and vertical glass slots offering fans amazing views from all level.

Another highlight is the retractable roof designed to keep the air conditioning in on the hottest desert days but can open up to take advantage of Arizona’s mild winter weather. The Cardinal’s Stadium also has one of the first fully retractable, roll out natural-grass fields in the United States allowing the venue to also host NCAA final four basketball action as well as motor sports, rodeos and consumer shows. 

So how many people can fit inside this giant “cactus”? The stadium has 63-thousand permanent seats, expandable to 73,000, with each seat having an armrest, seatback and cup holder, you gotta love that. You’ll also find 88 luxury lofts, an upgraded version of a sports suite, featuring private parking, an exclusive entrance, multiple televisions and in-loft catering and you know this will be THE place to be on Super Bowl Sunday! 

For more TRAVEL THERAPY news check out the website at www.mytraveltherapy.com and sign up for the monthly newsletter.   For more info: www.azcardinals.com