Some fun facts about the University of Phoenix Stadium, which is hosting Super Bowl XLII. It is the 19th stadium to host the host the Super Bowl. It is the first time the Super Bowl will be held in this stadium.
Naming Rights: The University of Phoenix paid $154 million for 20 years.
Location: 1 Cardinals Way, Glendale AZ. The stadium is located adjacent to and south of Jobing.com Arena, home to the NHL Phoenix Coyotes, and Westgate City Center, a master-planned, mixed-use retail, entertainment and commercial development.
Prime Tenant: Arizona Cardinals (NFL)/Tostitos Fiesta Bowl (NCAA BCS Bowl)
Stadium Type: Retractable Roof
Designer: HOK Sport in conjunction with Hunt Construction and Urban Earth Design
Exterior: Designed to resemble the barrel of a cactus
Playing Surface: Grass
- The surface is on a rolling tray where it remains outside until game day. This provides the maximum amount of sunshine and nourishment, eliminating humidity problems inside the stadium and providing unrestricted access to the stadium floor for events and staging.
- The grass is Tifway-419, a Bermuda hybrid. It was planted by using stolons, or plugs, that provide the best long-term field conditions.
Capacity: 63,400 (expandable to 73,719) includes 88 luxury lofts, 7,400 club seats and (2) 39,000 square foot club lounges
Groundbreaking Date: April 12, 2003
Opening Date: August 1, 2006
Cost: $455 million
Large Events Held:
- Tostitos Fiesta Bowl 2007-2008
- BCS National Championship Game 2007
- International Soccer Match US v Mexico 2007
- Rolling Stones Tour 2006
- Super Bowl XLII 2008
- NCAA Men’s Basketball West Regional Final 2009
Stadium Amenities:
- 160,000 square feet of exhibition space.
- 20,000 square feet of meeting space.
- All spaces are air conditioned.
- 2 high resolution video boards.
- 77 public restrooms (30 Men’s, 35 Women’s and 12 Family).
- 47 concession stands.
- 10 elevators for public use in stadium.
- 18 escalators for public use in stadium.
- 14,000 on site parking spaces and 12,000 off site parking spaces.
- The 88 luxury lofts feature preferred parking, an exclusive entrance, private restrooms, multiple televisions and in-suite catering.
- The Club Level features wider seats, preferred parking, private entrances, and climate controlled club lounges with multiple two-story spaces, comfortable seating, plentiful TV monitors, upgraded food and beverage offerings and dedicated restrooms.
- Having the rollout field saves $50 million in costs since it is more economical to move the field than having the entire roof retract to allow the necessary sunshine to reach the grass.
- The roll out playing field weighs 18.9 million pounds and will travel at a speed of 11.5 feet/minute (1/8 mph); it will take approx. 75 minutes to travel approximately 741 feet.
- The tray has a fairly sophisticated irrigation system that works on timers and can be customized. The water will drain through a 1-inch-deep mat and several pipes that lead to a main drainpipe underneath the field tray.
- A few inches of water will remain in the tray while the field is in play to keep the grass moist.
Stadiums to host the Super Bowl
