SportsQuest
All games

Week 15, Sun, Dec 20, 2:05 PM local

New York Jetsat Arizona Cardinals

State Farm Stadium, Glendale. Fly into PHX.

Build the quest

The matchup

Form, ESPN's model and the stat leaders
Form

The Jets are 1-2 after 3 games, 2nd in the AFC East.

They have lost 2 in a row.

They are 1-1 on the road.

The Cardinals are 1-2 after 3 games, 4th in the NFC West.

They have lost 2 in a row.

They are 0-1 at home.

What we know about State Farm Stadium

Where visiting fans stay

Checked at the source
  • Westgate Entertainment District, Glendale. 10 min by walk. There is no rail to Glendale. Anywhere else in the Valley means a car for every trip. Westgate is an open-air dining, bar and shopping district just north of the stadium. Eight hotels sit in or next to it: Aloft, Renaissance Phoenix Glendale, Hampton Inn, Home2 Suites, SpringHill Suites, Residence Inn, TownePlace Suites and Vacation Inn. TownePlace Suites says it is a five-minute walk to the stadium. This is the only place in metro Phoenix where you can walk to the stadium without a car.
  • Downtown Phoenix. 30 min by rideshare. Pick this only if the trip is also a Phoenix trip. It puts you on Valley Metro light rail for everything else in the Valley. You will still pay for a rideshare to Glendale and back on game day. That ride goes on Loop 101, which gets very congested on game days, worse heading north.
  • Scottsdale. 50 min by rideshare. Skip this for a Cardinals game. Scottsdale sits on the far east side of the metro area. Glendale sits on the far west side. This is a full cross-valley trip. Crossing from the East Valley to Glendale is a hassle. Even people living in Scottsdale, Tempe and Mesa often avoid the drive. Book here only if the game is a side trip to a Scottsdale vacation.

Around the stadium

Checked at the source
Westgate Entertainment District has real bars and restaurants nearby. Try Whiskey Rose (0.4 mi), Saddle Ranch Chop House (0.4 mi) or Yard House (0.5 mi). Tanger Outlets and Desert Diamond Arena sit in the same complex. Parking there can cost as little as $10. The district can fill up hours before kickoff, so get there early or book ahead.

Getting in from the airport

Checked at the source
PHX Phoenix Sky Harbor International is 30 minutes away by rideshare or taxi. No rail runs to Glendale.

Getting to the stadium

Checked at the source
No light rail to Glendale. Walk from Westgate Entertainment District hotels, about 5 min to n/a. Uber/Lyft to the Black Lot to Black Lot is south of the stadium.

Tailgating

Checked at the source
Tailgating happens only in designated parking lots, once they open. There is no walk-up tailgate area. Sportsman's Park is the main tailgating lot for Cardinals games. If you don't have a car, Westgate Entertainment District works as a substitute: a five-minute walk away, with bars and restaurants instead of grills, but real game-day energy. Westgate Entertainment District bars and restaurants are free to enter. Food and drinks are priced individually. Hours vary by venue. The district can fill up hours before kickoff.

Getting in

Checked at the source
  • Bag policy: Bags allowed: clear plastic, vinyl or PVC bags, totes, backpacks, fanny packs or cinch bags up to 12" x 12" x 6". Clear backpacks are allowed here, unlike at Soldier Field. Small clutch bags and wallets up to 4.5" x 6.5" x 2" are allowed too; this is the only venue here that sets a depth limit for clutches. Medical items are the only named exception. Diaper bags are not mentioned.
  • Re-entry: Re-entry is not allowed, with no exceptions stated. Club and Loft members must rescan their tickets to get back into those levels.
  • Prohibited items: Banned items include: umbrellas over 12" (small umbrellas are fine here, unlike SoFi and Soldier Field); laptops; professional cameras, video cameras, GoPros and tripods; poles and selfie sticks; noise makers; outside food, except infant formula or milk; all drinks except water; chairs, coolers, balloons and beach balls; aerosol cans; and chewing tobacco.

Touring the stadium

Checked at the source
State Farm Stadium runs Gameday Prep Tours, a behind-the-scenes look at the stadium as crews prepare it on gameday. Book through SeatGeek, not through group sales. Check that your date is listed before buying. The Field Roll-In Tour runs two days before gameday, at 2:00 PM and 4:00 PM. Price is not published.

One thing to avoid

From a specialist guide
Do not book Scottsdale, Tempe or Mesa for a Cardinals game. They sit on the opposite side of the metro with no transit link. Valley Metro light rail will not help either. It is a good system, it just does not reach Glendale.

Bars near the stadium

From a specialist guide

  • Westgate Entertainment DistrictDistrict

    6770 N Sunrise Blvd, Glendale, AZ 85305

    Westgate is an open-air strip just north of State Farm Stadium with over 70 restaurants and bars. A free Westgate Circulator shuttle loops through the Sports and Entertainment District.

  • Flanker Kitchen + Sports Bar

    Westgate Entertainment District, Glendale, AZ 85305

    This spot made the first list, and it still holds up. It is a large sports bar with craft cocktails, listed in Visit Phoenix's gameday guide.

Sidequests in Glendale

In the order they happen. Each one earns points.

  1. Outing40 points

    Wildlife World Zoo, Aquarium and Safari Park

    Zoo and aquarium with over 600 species, rides and daily animal shows, in Litchfield Park about ten miles west of the stadium. Open every day, 9am to 6pm from October.

    $$. The day before

  2. Landmark65 points

    Historic Downtown Glendale and Catlin Court

    Ten blocks of bungalows turned into shops and antique stores. Free covered parking at the Palmaire garage. An afternoon walk about five miles east of the stadium.

    Free. The day before

  3. Eat65 points

    Pizzeria Bianco at Heritage Square

    Chris Bianco's original wood-fired pizzeria, downtown Phoenix since 1997. Six pizzas, no reservations, closed Sunday. Go Saturday and expect a line.

    $$. 19 hours before kickoff

  4. Eat65 points

    Sonoran hot dog at Nogales Hot Dogs

    Bacon-wrapped dog in a bolillo bun with beans, tomato and onion. Served from a tent at 20th Street and Indian School from 7pm. Cash only, about $3 to $6.

    $. 18 hours before kickoff

  5. Landmark65 points

    Westgate Entertainment District

    Outdoor dining and shopping district steps north of the stadium, dozens of bars and restaurants. Fans park here and walk to the gates, or spend the evening before the game.

    Free. 18 hours before kickoff

  6. Tour100 points

    State Farm Stadium tour

    75 to 90 minute tour through the press box, visiting locker room, private loft and field level. Gameday Prep Tour runs on game days before crowds arrive. Field Roll-In tours run two days before.

    $$. 6 hours before kickoff. Bookable

  7. Eat65 points

    Matt's Big Breakfast, Glendale Arrowhead

    Phoenix breakfast spot, scratch-cooked, cage-free eggs, pancakes, benedicts. Open daily 7am to 2pm. The Arrowhead location sits closest to the stadium.

    $$. 5 hours before kickoff

  8. Eat65 points

    Haus Murphy's, downtown Glendale

    German restaurant on Glendale Avenue in Historic Downtown Glendale, about five miles east of the stadium. Open Sunday 11am to 8pm, Friday and Saturday 11am to 9pm.

    $$. 4 hours before kickoff

  9. Drink25 points

    Yard House at Westgate

    Bar with 130 taps in the Westgate Entertainment District next to the stadium. Open Sunday 11am to midnight. Works before a 1pm or 2pm kickoff and after.

    $$. 3 hours before kickoff

  10. Tailgate65 points

    Great Lawn and Beer Garden at Heritage

    Eight-acre lawn beside the stadium with stages and a video wall showing early NFL games. Free beer garden, first come first served, no car or parking pass needed.

    Free. 3 hours before kickoff

  11. Drink25 points

    BetMGM Sportsbook on the Great Lawn

    Sports bar and sportsbook on the north side of the Great Lawn, steps from the gates. Part of the Cardinals' pregame setup, with early NFL games on screens.

    $$. 2 hours 30 minutes before kickoff

  12. Photo25 points

    Pat Tillman statue at Tillman Freedom Plaza

    Bronze statue of Pat Tillman celebrating, with a 42-foot wall and 60-foot reflecting pool. Outside the stadium at Pat Tillman Freedom Plaza, dedicated November 12, 2006.

    Free. 2 hours before kickoff

Seats and views

Where each part of State Farm Stadium sits, and what you see from it.

Main Level, end zoneMain Level, corner, home sideMain Level, home sidelineMain Level, corner, home sideMain Level, end zoneMain Level, corner, visitor sideMain Level, visitor sidelineMain Level, corner, visitor sideGila River Club Level, end zoneGila River Club Level, corner, home sideGila River Club Level, home sidelineGila River Club Level, corner, home sideGila River Club Level, end zoneGila River Club Level, corner, visitor sideGila River Club Level, visitor sidelineGila River Club Level, corner, visitor sideLoft Level, end zoneLoft Level, corner, home sideLoft Level, home sidelineLoft Level, corner, home sideLoft Level, end zoneLoft Level, corner, visitor sideLoft Level, visitor sidelineLoft Level, corner, visitor sideTerrace Level, end zoneTerrace Level, corner, home sideTerrace Level, home sidelineTerrace Level, corner, home sideTerrace Level, end zoneTerrace Level, corner, visitor sideTerrace Level, visitor sidelineTerrace Level, corner, visitor sideHomeVisitors
Main Level101 to 137Gila River Club Level201 to 248Loft LevelL301 to L367Terrace Level401 to 455Tap any part of the stadium to see its view.