University of Phoenix Stadium

The University of Phoenix Stadium, with its retractable roof and field, is unlike any other stadium in North America.

It is a marvel of design, engineering, and technology. This multipurpose facility is located in Glendale, Arizona. The stadium i shome to the NFL’s Arizona Cardinals and the annual Fiesta Bowl.

The 63,400-seat stadium (expandable to 72,200) opened on August 1, 2006 after three years of construction. The ceremonial groundbreaking was held on April 12, 2003.

Snapshot

Seating Capacity: 63,400 permanent seats (expandable to over 72,200 seats)
Average Daily Participation: n/a
Most Recent Renovation: 2014
Total Construction Cost: $455 million
Gross Square Feet: 1.7 million
LEED Designation: n/a

About

Features

The outside of the stadium represents a barrel cactus or a coiling snake
Field is moveable; it rolls in for events in 70 minutes
Building features alternating sections of shimmering metal panels, which are used to keep the building cool
63,400 seats, expandable to over 74,000
Retractable roof opens in 15 minutes and is made out of bird-eye material which is translucent, allowing for natural light in the stadium even with the lights out

Sustainability

The University of Phoenix Stadium is a member of the United States Green Building Council (USGBC)
The stadium generates 120 tons of recycled trash each year
The stadium currently recycles glass and plastic bottles. This is primarily done for NFL games and all major stadium events. The stadium has designated containers to capture these articles on all public levels.
The stadium leases a cardboard compactor which is used for all paper products and is in use for all stadium functions
The stadium provides special blue trash cans in every office for paper recycling; the liners are reused and disposed of as needed
The stadium has a program to dispose of all used lights bulbs and other electrical equipment without trash hauler, Sierra Waste

Fun Facts

The stadium seats, if set in a straight line, would stretch for approximately 18 miles
The amount of concrete used on the stadium is equal to 900 miles of sidewalk, the distance between Phoenix and San Francisco
The 60-foot logo and the wall honoring team greats will greet fans at the Glendale stadium’s north entrance
Four large columns will frame the inside concourse area and serve as the team’s hieroglyphics of records and significant moments
Five layers of Arizona-themed murals will usher fans through the stadium escalators
Two massive “thermometers” at the south end zone gauge crowd noise
The north end zone bridge displays photos of past players
There are six levels in the stadium:the field (or service) level, the main concourse, the club level, the suite level, the upper concourse, and the mechanical level
The stadium features a mural on each level, and each mural is designed to represent Arizona’s environmental attractions: the 400 level (the highest in the stadium) replicates the night sky and has the names of state observatories on it while the rest spotlight state rivers, canyons, deserts, and mountain ranges
The stadium includes 88 luxury lofts featuring preferred parking, an exclusive entrance, private restrooms, multiple televisions, and in-suite catering
The luxurious club level features private entrances, a climate controlled environment, comfortable seating, plentiful TV monitors, upgraded food and beverage offerings, and dedicated restrooms