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On December 31, the Michigan Wolverines will be participating in the Fiesta Bowl, where they will face off against TCU.
U-M and the Horned Frogs will face off at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Az as they compete in the College Football Playoff semifinal.
The Wolverines, with their strongest chance at a national championship since 1997, are expected to have a significant presence in the New Year’s Eve contest.
If you’re considering a trip to Arizona, here is essential information about the home of the Arizona Cardinals that you should be aware of.
The Fiesta Bowl CFP Semifinal
The Fiesta Bowl on Dec. 31 at 4 p.m. ET will feature a match between No. 2 Michigan and No. 3 TCU.
The undefeated Michigan team (13-0) has clinched the Big Ten championship and is set to face TCU (12-1), a playoff team from the Big 12 Conference, as an at-large selection.
Michigan has secured its spot in the playoffs for the second year in a row, while TCU is making its debut appearance in the playoffs.
Throughout their history, these two teams have never crossed paths.
Michigan’s sportsbooks have designated the Wolverines as a 7.5-point frontrunner in their upcoming match against TCU.
Flights to Phoenix from Detroit
Chances are, if you are attending the Fiesta Bowl, you will likely be traveling by air.
If you are considering making the drive, please be aware that it is approximately a 2,000-mile journey from Ann Arbor.
If you’re coming by air, chances are you’ll be arriving at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, conveniently situated only 20 miles away from State Farm Stadium in Glendale.
Flights to Phoenix during the New Year’s period come at a hefty price and usually require a layover.
If you depart from Detroit on December 30th and come back on January 1st, the cost will be approximately $1,000.
The round trip tickets for American Airlines and Spirit Airlines are approximately $950 each, while Delta’s fares are nearing $1,100.
Right now, the most affordable choices consist of flights with layovers. A flight without any layovers from Detroit to Phoenix is currently priced at over $1,650.
Allegiant Air offers a direct flight from Grand Rapids to Phoenix for your convenience.
You can find choices from Lansing for less than $900, with the lowest option being $705 on American Airlines. Nevertheless, all these options involve multiple layovers and more than 12 hours of total travel time.
Getting to State Farm Stadium
The address of State Farm Stadium is 1 Cardinals Dr. in Glendale, Arizona 85305.
When approaching the stadium, you can find the following directions on the stadium website.
- If you are coming from the south, follow these directions: Head north on AZ Loop 101 Freeway. Take the exit for Bethany Home Road/Cardinals Way and turn right once you are off the exit. You will find the stadium on your left.
- If you are coming from the north, follow these directions to reach the stadium: Take AZ Loop 101 South and then exit at Glendale Ave. Turn right onto Glendale Ave. Afterward, make a left onto 99th Ave. and then another left onto Maryland Ave. Proceed over the bridge and you will find the stadium located on your right.
- When coming from the east, follow I-10 West towards Los Angeles and then join AZ Loop 101 Freeway North. Take the exit for Bethany Home Road/Cardinals Way and turn right after getting off. You will find the stadium on your left.
- If you are coming from the west, follow these directions to reach the stadium: Take I-10 East in the direction of Phoenix. Afterward, merge onto AZ Loop 101 Freeway North. Once on the freeway, exit at Bethany Home Road/Cardinals Way and turn right as you get off the exit. The stadium will be located on your left side.
Parking/Tailgating at State Farm Stadium
When visiting State Farm Stadium with a parking pass, please be aware that their parking system is entirely digital. Kindly ensure that you have your pass readily available on your phone to display upon arrival.
The stadium provides free parking in various lots. These lots, indicated on the map by their respective colors (orange, green, blue, pink, purple), along with the black and yellow lots, are available on a first-come, first-served basis. You can start parking in these areas four hours before the game starts.
Lot F is designated for oversized vehicles. It becomes accessible four and a half hours before the kickoff. In order to enter, you need to possess a mobile parking pass specifically for “Lot F oversized vehicle”.
To avail ride share or drop off services, please make use of the designated black lot. The same applies for pick up services after the game.
Game day ticket holders are allowed to tailgate at the Great Lawn or in designated parking areas.
You are allowed to use natural gas or propane grills, but charcoal, pellet grills, or oil fryers are prohibited.
Does Arizona have legal sports betting?
Michigan sports bettors have the opportunity to engage in sports betting even when they are in Arizona.
The north end of the Great Lawn, located just outside State Farm Stadium, is now home to the first-ever BetMGM Sportsbook at an NFL stadium. This exciting addition opened its doors in time for the start of the 2022-23 NFL season.
The BetMGM Sportsbook is a cutting-edge 17,000 square foot facility, offering state-of-the-art sports betting services alongside a fantastic sports bar and grill dining experience. Enjoy the flexibility of both indoor and outdoor dining options.
BetMGM Sportsbook features a spacious 265 square-foot video wall and more than 35 high-definition televisions. Additionally, there are five conventional sports betting windows and a convenient selection of 27 self-service betting kiosks.
What to know when visiting State Farm Stadium
State Farm Stadium, like Ford Field or Lucas Oil Stadium, operates as a fully cashless venue where only card and mobile payments are accepted. This policy extends to ticketing as well, where only mobile tickets are permitted for entry at the gate.
In State Farm Stadium, rest assured that you will find a plethora of food and beverage choices. To explore all the available options, refer to the comprehensive list provided in the Cardinals’ A to Z Gameday Guide.
In an effort to enhance fan safety and streamline entry procedures, NFL stadiums have adopted a policy that restricts the size and types of bags permitted within their premises.
Clear plastic, vinyl, or PVC bags that do not exceed the dimensions of 12″ x 6″ x 12″ are allowed for fans to bring in.
The bag must be completely transparent, with no buckles, grommets, hardware, or decorative elements that could conceal any part of it.
In addition, you may also use a clear plastic freezer bag with a capacity of one gallon, or a small clutch that does not exceed the dimensions of 4.5″ x 6.5″.
State Farm Stadium’s website features a parking map.
