Arizona has an intense sports scene, with various professional and college sports teams and several major sporting events in the state. The Phoenix metropolitan area, in particular, is home to several major league teams. The state is also home to several college sports programs, including Arizona State University and the University of Arizona, both of which have competitive football and basketball teams. Arizona is also well-known for its golfing scene, with many high-quality golf courses throughout the state.
Fiesta Bowl
The Fiesta Bowl is an NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision college football game played annually in the Phoenix metropolitan area. It is one of the oldest college bowl games and has been played annually since 1971. The game is typically played on New Year's Day and is one of the six bowls that make up the College Football Playoff (CFP) system. The winner of the game earns a spot in the CFP and has a chance to compete for the national championship.
The game is held at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, with a long tradition of featuring some of the best teams and players in college football. Fiesta Bowl stadium access
Cactus League Spring Training
The Cactus League Spring Training is a yearly pre-season training camp for Major League Baseball teams in Arizona. The Cactus League gets its name because it is held in the desert Southwest, specifically in Arizona, where the cactus is a common sight. Cactus League training facilities Many teams have training facilities in the Phoenix area, and the games are played at stadiums throughout the state. Spring Training games begin mid-February and run through the first week of March. During this time, teams will play exhibition games against other teams, allowing players to shake off the rust from the off-season and prepare for the regular season.
Waste Management Phoenix Open
The Waste Management Phoenix is a professional golf tournament played annually in Scottsdale, Arizona. The tournament is also known as "The Greatest Show on Grass" and is one of the most popular and well-attended events on the PGA Tour. It is held at the TPC Scottsdale Stadium Course in late January or early February. The tournament was first played in 1932 and has been held annually since then. It has a long history of featuring some of the best golfers in the world. Scottsdale golf tournament travel
Arizona Shuttle provides shuttle services within Arizona, specifically in the Phoenix area. The service offers airport transportation and transportation to other destinations such as hotels, resorts, and tourist attractions. Services include pick-up and drop-off locations, prices, and booking information. They have a fleet of vehicles, including shuttles, vans, and buses, to accommodate groups of different sizes. For more information, contact (480) 710-3441.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Waste Management Phoenix Open usually held?
The tournament is typically played in late January or early February.
What teams participate in the Cactus League Spring Training?
Major League Baseball teams use facilities in the Phoenix area for spring training, playing exhibition games from mid-February to the first week of March.
Where and when is the Fiesta Bowl played?
The Fiesta Bowl is held annually on New Year's Day at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
How long has the Waste Management Phoenix Open been running?
The tournament has a long history, having first been played in 1932 and continuing annually since then.
Professional Sports Teams to Watch in the Phoenix Metro Area
Beyond the signature annual events, the Phoenix metropolitan area offers major league action nearly year-round, making it easy to plan a visit around "the famous games of Arizona" no matter what month you arrive. The NFL's Arizona Cardinals play their home schedule at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, the same venue that hosts the Fiesta Bowl, located along Loop 101 on the West Valley side of the metro. Downtown Phoenix is the hub for basketball, where the NBA's Phoenix Suns and the WNBA's Phoenix Mercury share an arena in the heart of the downtown entertainment district, steps from the light rail line and a short drive from Sky Harbor International Airport via Sky Harbor Boulevard.
Baseball fans can catch the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field, the retractable-roof ballpark in downtown Phoenix just off the I-10 and US Route 60 corridors — a welcome option during the hot summer months when a roof and climate control make evening games comfortable. Hockey and indoor football have also historically been part of the metro's sports fabric, with AHL and arena-level games played at venues in Glendale and the East Valley. Before booking tickets, check each team's official schedule, as game times and dates shift each season.
College Games: ASU and University of Arizona
College sports are a cornerstone of the Arizona games scene, and two programs dominate the calendar. Arizona State University, in Tempe, plays football at Mountain America Stadium (long known to fans as Sun Devil Stadium), which sits at the base of Tempe Butte near Tempe Town Lake and is easily reached from the Loop 202 and US 60. ASU basketball hosts opponents at Desert Financial Arena on the Tempe campus, a short walk from the light rail stop that runs through the middle of campus.
Down in Tucson, about two hours southeast of Phoenix on the I-10, the University of Arizona Wildcats play football at Arizona Stadium and basketball at the McKale Center, one of the most well-known college basketball venues in the West. The Territorial Cup rivalry between ASU and the University of Arizona is one of the oldest rivalries in college football, and the annual football meeting between the two schools is one of the most anticipated games on the Arizona sports calendar each fall. If your trip falls during basketball season, both programs regularly draw national attention, and tickets for rivalry matchups sell out early.
Planning Your Visit: Arizona's Famous Games at a Glance
The table below pulls together the major games and events covered in this guide so you can match your travel dates to the action. Always confirm exact dates with the event's official website before booking, since schedules move from year to year.
| Event / Team | Venue | Typical Time of Year | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fiesta Bowl | State Farm Stadium, Glendale | New Year's Day | College football fans and holiday-week travelers |
| WM Phoenix Open | TPC Scottsdale Stadium Course | Late January – early February | Golf fans and visitors who want a lively, festival-style atmosphere |
| Cactus League Spring Training | Stadiums throughout the Phoenix area | Mid-February – first week of March | Baseball fans and families looking for relaxed, affordable game days |
| Arizona Cardinals (NFL) | State Farm Stadium, Glendale | Fall through early winter | NFL fans visiting in the cooler months |
| Phoenix Suns & Phoenix Mercury | Downtown Phoenix arena | Fall through spring | Basketball fans staying downtown or near the light rail |
| Arizona Diamondbacks (MLB) | Chase Field, downtown Phoenix | Spring through fall | Baseball fans visiting in summer thanks to the retractable roof |
| ASU & University of Arizona games | Tempe (ASU) and Tucson (U of A) | Football in fall; basketball in winter | College sports fans, especially during rivalry week |
Getting to the Games: Highways, Airports, and Timing
Most of Arizona's famous games cluster around two corridors. The West Valley corridor centers on State Farm Stadium in Glendale, reachable via Loop 101 and Glendale Avenue, with the Westgate Entertainment District adjacent to the stadium for pre- and post-game dining. The downtown Phoenix corridor includes Chase Field and the Suns' arena, both served by the Valley Metro light rail, which also connects Tempe and ASU's campus — handy if you're combining a downtown game with a college matchup in the same trip.
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport sits just east of downtown, minutes from Chase Field via the Loop 202 and Sky Harbor Boulevard, which makes it realistic to land and be in your seat the same evening. Tucson games require the longer I-10 drive southeast, so plan a full day if you're combining a Wildcats game with a Phoenix-area stay. During the WM Phoenix Open and Fiesta Bowl weeks, traffic around Scottsdale and Glendale is heavy; arriving early, using park-and-ride options, or booking a shuttle in advance will save you significant time and stress.
Tips for Making the Most of an Arizona Games Trip
1. Time your visit around the weather. Late January through early April is peak season for a reason: mild desert days pair perfectly with the Phoenix Open, Spring Training, and winter college basketball. Summer visits are best suited to indoor arenas like Chase Field, where the roof keeps fans cool.
2. Book event-week lodging early. Hotel availability in Scottsdale during the Phoenix Open and in Glendale during the Fiesta Bowl tightens well in advance. Staying near a light rail station in downtown Phoenix, Tempe, or Mesa gives you flexible access to multiple venues without relying solely on a car.
3. Pair games with sightseeing. The metro's venues sit within easy reach of Camelback Mountain, Old Town Scottsdale, the Desert Botanical Garden, and — for a longer detour — day trips north toward Sedona or the Grand Canyon. Morning activities plus an evening game is a reliable itinerary pattern.
4. Budget realistically. Ticket prices vary widely by event, opponent, and seat location, and costs for lodging and transportation rise during marquee event weeks. Treat any figures you see online as estimates and verify current pricing directly with official ticketing sources and providers before you commit.
More Frequently Asked Questions About Visiting Arizona's Famous Games
Which city should I base myself in for Arizona sports events?
Downtown Phoenix is the most flexible base, with light rail connections to Tempe and short drives to Glendale and Scottsdale. Scottsdale works best for the Phoenix Open and spring training in the East Valley, while Glendale is convenient for Cardinals games and the Fiesta Bowl.
Can I visit Sky Harbor Airport and reach a game the same day?
Yes. Sky Harbor sits minutes from downtown Phoenix venues via the Loop 202 and Sky Harbor Boulevard, and the light rail connects the airport area toward downtown and Tempe, making same-day arrivals for evening games very doable.
When is the best month to see multiple famous Arizona games in one trip?
Late February is the sweet spot: Cactus League Spring Training is in full swing, the WM Phoenix Open window often overlaps in early spring, and ASU basketball and professional basketball are in season simultaneously.
How far is the University of Arizona in Tucson from Phoenix?
Tucson is roughly a two-hour drive southeast of Phoenix along the I-10, so plan a dedicated day trip or an overnight stay if you want to catch a Wildcats game at Arizona Stadium or McKale Center.
Do I need a car to attend games in the Phoenix area?
Not necessarily. The light rail serves downtown Phoenix and Tempe, and shuttles and rideshare are widely used for Glendale and Scottsdale venues. A rental car is most useful for Tucson trips or for visiting multiple spring training stadiums in one day.
Is the WM Phoenix Open family-friendly despite its party reputation?
Yes. While certain areas of TPC Scottsdale are known for a lively atmosphere, the broader grounds welcome families, and earlier weekday rounds offer a calmer experience than the busier weekend sessions.
