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The Fiesta Bowl may not have the history of the Rose Bowl, but the game has produced no shortage of legendary college football moments over the years. First played at Sun Devil Stadium, the opening of State Farm Stadium saw the game move to its current home.
Seasoned travelers will know the ins and outs of attending games here, looking at you Ohio State and Penn State fanbases. Still, for you first timers out there looking for some additional information, or maybe even vets wanting a couple of hacks, today we’re going over what to know for Fiesta Bowl travel in 2026.
Let’s start with the big one: the Fiesta Bowl is not in Phoenix. Not even close. You’re looking at a 25- to 45-minute drive from downtown Phoenix to the stadium, depending on the time of day.
Do you need a rental car when attending the Fiesta Bowl in 2026?
Someone in your group will want to rent a car. Transit in Phoenix, how shall we put it nicely, is not great. It’s possible to use public transit and Uber while in town, but it’s going to be more work than it’s worth.
Best rental car rates during the Fiesta Bowl
Seeing as you most likely will have a rental car, parking at the Fiesta Bowl is something you will want to take note of. Parking lots surround the stadium, so getting space isn’t an issue. If you pay at the venue, cash is no longer accepted. The $51 prepay price may be less appealing.
There is a hack. There are a few locations on SpotHero where spots can be booked for $20-$30. It’s a little bit longer of a walk, but you’ll get to stroll past Desert Diamond Arena, the former home of the Arizona Coyotes. We’ve included a link to Spot Hero in the video description and you can see what the current price is now. New users can get 5% off their parking spot by using code FIRSTSPOT.
Book SpotHero during the Fiesta Bowl
Where to stay during the Fiesta Bowl
It’s time to move on to where to stay. This really comes down to your plans. There are a few hotels within walking distance of State Farm Stadium with availability during Fiesta Bowl week, but these are as expensive as you would expect.
Downtown Phoenix is similarly pricy during this time. If you’re like me and don’t want to pay overs for a hotel but also don’t want to stay in some dump, hotels around the Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport are your best bet. North 44th Street has an Aloft, a Hampton Inn, a Holiday Inn, and a Holiday Inn Express, all priced under $200 per night.
Find the best deals on Fiesta Bowl hotels here
Staying here provides direct access to most parts of the Valley through the region’s vast, almost comical system of highways. A word to the wise, you may see a lot of really cheap hotels along Van Buren Street. Please do yourself a favor and don’t fall for it unless you don’t have any other options.
Things to do around the area
Andretti Indoor Karting & Games, right across the way from State Farm Stadium, is awesome. Great for families, and they literally have everything fun under one roof.
If you like museums, the valley has a surprising number of good ones. The Hall of Flame is interesting for its collection of firefighting-related items. Our pick is the Heard Museum, home to American Indian art and history and boasting a fantastic collection.
Finally, there are many incredible landscapes and natural settings around this part of the world, but finding them can be overwhelming. So why not just head to the Desert Botanical Garden and explore everything in one place? It’s actually so much more than that. You could spend a day here and not see everything.
If you’re attending the Fiesta Bowl, have fun. And remember, you can still win on the road even if your team loses.
