The Arizona Cardinals open the 2011 NFL season at University of Phoenix with the first of three home games over the next 15 days. It begins with a Week 3 preseason game against the San Diego Chargers. The game starts at 7:00 p.m. local time and will be broadcast in the Phoenix metro market on ABC Channel 15 TV. We have all the traffic and parking information you will need if you are one of the many people who helped give the Cardinals their 54th consecutive sellout at U o P Stadium.
A traffic advisory has been posted for Saturday by the Arizona Department of Transportation that will impact fans headed to University of Phoenix Stadium from the Northeast Valley. If you are driving in from North Scottsdale and plan on using the north loop of 101 freeway, take note of these closures:
- Westbound Loop 101 closed between Cave Creek Road and 35th Avenue from 10 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Monday (Aug. 29) for rubberized asphalt paving.
- Northbound State Route 51 ramp to westbound Loop 101 closed from 10 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Monday (Aug. 29) for rubberized asphalt paving.
- Traffic updates are available at www.AZ511.gov, and also by dialing 5-1-1 from any landline or mobile phone from anywhere in Arizona.
Once fans do make it to the stadium, parking lots will open at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday. For all the parking lot details, see this parking map. Gates open to the stadium 90 minutes before kickoff which means 5:30 p.m. on Saturday. The Great Lawn will open for pregame tailgating and other outdoor fun four hours prior to kickoff at 3:00 PM.
While the stadium roof will be closed which makes for a more comfortable experience inside, the weather is forecast to be (you guessed it) hot. Expect for 112 degrees when you arrive for the game and temps hovering around 100 degrees when you leave to go home. Bring water, people. This is no hurricane but that heat is not playing around.
While the game is sold out, there are still tickets available on the secondary market for very reasonable prices. You can get in to see the Cardinals vs. Chargers for as little as $12. Click here for more ticket deals.