Cardinals Stadium

The western farmlands of Glendale, Arizona are rapidly changing and gaining national attention as a hot spot for state-of-the-art sports and entertainment venues. The Arizona Cardinals is the latest franchise to move into the neighborhood, just south of the Glendale Arena.

The grand opening of the $455 million Cardinals Stadium is just in time for their preseason opener against the Super Bowl champion Pittsburg Steelers. Besides the Cardinals, the stadium also will be home to the annual Tostitos Fiesta Bowl and already has been booked for such mega sporting events as the 2007 BCS national football championship game and the 2008 Super Bowl.

This is a no "cookie cutter" style venue. Distinctive architecture and cutting-edge design are just two reasons why Business Week named this desert showplace one of the ten most impressive sports facilities in the world.

The stadium not only features a retractable roof but has the county's first fully retractable grass playing surface. The roof has two large panels that open over the entire playing field while providing maximum shading for fans. The stadium will be closed and air-conditioned during hot months and opened during the cool ones. The two acre, natural grass field (set in a 234 ft. by 400 ft. "tray" weighing 19 million pounds) sits atop a track that allows it to be rolled in and out of the stadium within 45 minutes. It remains outside until game day, allowing unrestricted access to the stadium floor for various events like trade and consumer shows, conventions, concerts, motor sports, and rodeos. With a seating capacity of 63,000 that can expand to 73,000 for special events, there's room for everyone.

More good news on the home front--not only does America's oldest football franchise have this amazing new stadium to play in, but they have a new, high-powered offense to showcase. Kurt Warner will again be flanked by two of the NFL's premier receivers. Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin. This year, however, newly acquired four-time Pro Bowler, Edgerrin James, will be in the backfield. The Cardinal's top draft choice and Heisman  Trophy winner, Matt Leinart, will be ready to back up Warner. With the new stadium, this season should be a real kick!