Ah, the State Farm Stadium! A truly impressive architectural marvel and a hub for major events in Glendale, Arizona. If you're wondering about its capacity, you've come to the right place. It's not as simple as just one number, as this stadium is designed to be incredibly versatile. Let's dive in and unravel the mystery of how many people State Farm Stadium can hold!
Step 1: Let's Get Curious - What Kind of Event Are You Imagining?
Before we get into the nitty-gritty numbers, take a moment to picture the event. Are you thinking about:
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A roaring NFL game with the Arizona Cardinals?
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A colossal concert with a global superstar?
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A championship college football game or a massive NCAA Final Four?
Your answer to this question is key because State Farm Stadium's capacity can actually change quite significantly depending on the type of event and the seating configuration. It's built for flexibility!
How Many People Does The State Farm Stadium Hold |
Step 2: Understanding the Base Capacity: The Fixed Seating
Let's start with the standard, fixed seating capacity of State Farm Stadium. This is the number of permanent seats installed in the stadium for typical events.
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The Core Number: State Farm Stadium has a fixed seating capacity of 63,400 people. This is the comfortable, unobstructed view capacity that the stadium primarily offers for events like regular-season Arizona Cardinals games.
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Think of it as the stadium's everyday capacity. It's what you'd generally expect for a standard football game.
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Step 3: Unlocking the Expansion: Mega-Events and Customization
Now, here's where the magic of State Farm Stadium truly shines! It's not just a fixed-seat venue; it's engineered for massive spectacles.
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Expanded Seating for Mega-Events: For larger events, often referred to as "mega-events," the stadium has the ability to expand its capacity to over 73,000 attendees. Some sources even mention figures like 72,200 with temporary seating and up to 78,600 with standing room for certain configurations.
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What makes this expansion possible? The stadium's design allows for the strategic addition of temporary seating in various areas, such as on the concourses or even field level, depending on the event's needs. This is crucial for events that draw enormous crowds.
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Examples of events that utilize this expanded capacity include:
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Super Bowls: The stadium has hosted multiple Super Bowls, which always push seating to its limits.
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NCAA Final Four: These basketball championships are known for their massive attendance, and the stadium is reconfigured to accommodate the court and thousands of extra fans.
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Major Concerts: Concerts by artists like Taylor Swift or Metallica often see the stadium transformed to maximize audience size, potentially including standing room on the field.
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Step 4: Delving Deeper into Specific Event Capacities (Historical Context)
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To give you an even better idea, let's look at some historical attendance figures for various types of events at State Farm Stadium, which was formerly known as University of Phoenix Stadium:
Sub-heading: NFL Games & Super Bowls
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While the fixed capacity is 63,400 for regular games, Super Bowls typically draw larger crowds.
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Super Bowl XLII (2008): 71,101 attendees
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Super Bowl XLIX (2015): 70,288 attendees
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Super Bowl LVII (2023): 67,827 attendees
These numbers demonstrate the successful implementation of expanded seating for football's biggest game.
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Sub-heading: College Football Bowl Games
The annual Fiesta Bowl and other significant college football matchups also see high attendance.
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2007 BCS National Championship Game: 74,628 attendees
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2011 BCS National Championship Game: 78,603 attendees (This is one of the highest recorded attendances, likely including standing room.)
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Fiesta Bowl Games: Attendance for these has varied, often in the 60,000 to 73,000 range, depending on the teams and year.
Sub-heading: NCAA Men's Final Four
Basketball events require a different layout, but State Farm Stadium is designed to accommodate them for massive crowds.
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2017 NCAA Final Four Basketball Championship: Record attendance of 77,612 (Oregon vs. North Carolina) was achieved for this event, showcasing the stadium's incredible adaptability.
Sub-heading: Concerts and Other Events
The stadium is a popular venue for concerts and other large gatherings. While specific concert capacities vary depending on stage setup, these events often maximize standing room on the field, pushing the overall attendance significantly. Garth Brooks had a record-attended show, indicating the high potential for concerts.
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Step 5: The Engineering Marvel Behind the Versatility
It's worth appreciating how State Farm Stadium achieves this remarkable flexibility.
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Retractable Roof: This allows for climate control, making it comfortable for attendees regardless of the scorching Arizona heat.
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Retractable Natural Grass Field: This is a true engineering marvel! The entire natural grass playing field rolls in and out of the stadium on tracks. This allows the grass to get maximum sun exposure when not in use and clears the stadium floor for other events like concerts, trade shows, or basketball games where a different surface is needed. This clear floor space is vital for adding temporary seating configurations.
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Imagine a field weighing millions of pounds moving with the push of a button – it's quite a sight!
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Conclusion: A Stadium Built for Scale
So, to summarize, State Farm Stadium is much more than just a single capacity number. It's a dynamic venue designed to host a wide array of events, from intimate gatherings (relatively speaking!) to some of the largest sporting and entertainment spectacles in the world.
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Fixed Seating: 63,400
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Expandable for Mega-Events: Over 73,000, with historical records reaching close to 78,600 including standing room.
This adaptability is what makes State Farm Stadium a premier destination for major events.
10 Related FAQ Questions
How to find out the exact capacity for a specific event at State Farm Stadium?
The best way is to check the official State Farm Stadium website or the event organizer's website for the specific event you are interested in. They will often list the estimated or actual capacity for that particular configuration.
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How to determine if an event will use the expanded seating capacity?
Events like Super Bowls, NCAA Final Fours, and major concerts are highly likely to utilize the expanded seating capacity. Check the event type and look for announcements from the stadium or event promoters regarding additional ticket releases, which often indicate expanded seating.
How to access premium seating options at State Farm Stadium?
State Farm Stadium offers various premium seating options, including 88 lofts (suites) and 7,505 club seats. You can inquire about these options directly through the State Farm Stadium official website or by contacting their sales department.
How to get tickets for high-demand events that often sell out State Farm Stadium?
For high-demand events, it's crucial to be ready when tickets go on sale, often through official ticketing partners like Ticketmaster. Consider signing up for pre-sales or fan clubs, and be aware of official resale platforms if initial tickets sell out.
How to understand the different seating zones within State Farm Stadium?
State Farm Stadium typically has various seating zones: lower bowl, club level, upper deck, and suites. Refer to a detailed seating chart on the stadium's official website or the ticket vendor's platform to understand the layout and view from different sections.
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How to know if a concert at State Farm Stadium will have standing room on the field?
Concerts often have a general admission "pit" or standing area on the field, which contributes to increased capacity. Check the specific concert's ticket information or venue map when purchasing tickets, as it will indicate if standing room options are available.
How to determine the best seats for a particular event at State Farm Stadium?
The "best" seats depend on your preference. For football, mid-field seats with a good elevation are popular. For concerts, being close to the stage or having an elevated view can be ideal. Consult online seating charts with virtual views if available, and read reviews from previous attendees.
How to find out about accessibility seating at State Farm Stadium?
State Farm Stadium is committed to accessibility. Information on accessible seating, parking, and other accommodations can be found on the "Guest Services" or "Accessibility" section of the official State Farm Stadium website. It's recommended to purchase accessible tickets in advance.
How to learn about the State Farm Stadium's retractable features?
The official State Farm Stadium website has a dedicated "About" or "Stadium Info" section that details its innovative features, including the retractable roof and the roll-out natural grass field. You can also find videos online showcasing these engineering marvels.
How to plan your visit to State Farm Stadium based on its capacity?
Knowing the stadium's capacity helps you plan for crowds. For large events, arrive early to account for traffic, parking, and security checks. Consider public transport options or ride-sharing, and be prepared for higher concession lines and restroom wait times.
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