State Farm Stadium is a multi-purpose, retractable-roof stadium in Glendale, Arizona, serving as the home of the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League. Opened on August 1, 2006, the $455 million facility replaced Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe as the Cardinals’ home and quickly became one of professional sports’ most celebrated venues.
The stadium is renowned for two engineering milestones: the first retractable roof ever constructed on an incline — crafted from translucent Birdair fabric and powered by a 480-horsepower motor system — and the first fully retractable natural-grass playing surface built in the United States, a 234-by-403-foot field that rolls outside on 546 steel wheels to soak up Arizona sunshine between games.
Stats at a Glance
- Team(s): Arizona Cardinals (NFL); annual Fiesta Bowl (NCAA)
- Location: Glendale, Arizona
- Opened: August 1, 2006
- Capacity: 63,400 (expandable to approximately 72,200)
- Construction Cost: $455 million
- Roof: Retractable (opens in about 12 minutes)
- Playing Surface: Retractable natural grass (Tifway 419 Hybrid Bermuda)
- Super Bowls Hosted: 3 (XLII – 2008, XLIX – 2015, LVII – 2023)
Engineering Firsts in the Desert
State Farm Stadium debuted two groundbreaking features when it opened in 2006. The retractable roof was the first of its kind built on an incline, using translucent Birdair fabric that filters natural light through the structure. Powered by four motors totaling 480 horsepower, the roof glides along steel rails and can open fully in about 12 minutes, giving fans fresh air on cooler Arizona nights and reliable shelter when summer heat peaks.
The playing surface pushed the concept further. The natural Bermuda grass field sits on a rolling tray supported by 546 steel wheels running along 13 tracks, allowing it to slide outside the building in roughly 70 minutes so sunlight and fresh air keep the turf healthy between events. That innovation made State Farm Stadium the first NFL venue to feature a fully retractable natural-grass field in the United States.
A Venue Built for Marquee Moments
State Farm Stadium has hosted three Super Bowls — Super Bowl XLII in February 2008, Super Bowl XLIX in February 2015, and Super Bowl LVII in February 2023 — placing it among the most frequently selected venues in the game’s biggest event. It also hosted the BCS National Championship Game twice (2007 and 2011), the College Football Playoff National Championship in 2016, and the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament Final Four in both 2017 and 2024.
Beyond football, the stadium welcomed WrestleMania XXVI in 2010 and has drawn sold-out crowds for global touring acts including Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, the Rolling Stones, and U2. The Fiesta Bowl has been played here every year since January 2007, and the venue hosts approximately 120 events annually, drawing around 1.2 million visitors per year.
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State Farm Stadium FAQs
What NFL team plays at State Farm Stadium?
The Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League play their home games at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. The team has called the stadium home since it opened in August 2006.
How many Super Bowls has State Farm Stadium hosted?
State Farm Stadium has hosted three Super Bowls: Super Bowl XLII in February 2008, Super Bowl XLIX in February 2015, and Super Bowl LVII in February 2023.
What makes State Farm Stadium unique?
State Farm Stadium features two engineering firsts: the first retractable roof ever built on an incline, and the first fully retractable natural-grass playing surface in the United States. The grass field rolls outside on 546 steel wheels along 13 tracks so it can absorb natural sunlight between events.
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Photo: Troutfarm27 / CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.