State Farm Stadium

Glendale, United States

A collaboration with New York architect Peter Eisenman, State Farm Stadium was the first in North America with both a retractable roof and retractable field. It’s garnered notable recognition throughout its early history. The design, functionality and overall wow factor of the venue kicked off a movement of 21st century sports facility design. Not only did the stadium give the Arizona Cardinals their first permanent home — something the team had been lacking for many years — it also gave the Glendale, Arizona, community an additional revenue generator as well as a new source of pride.

The facility also boasts the first completely retractable roof in North America to operate at an incline. Rolling on the same type of steel rail as the retractable field, the roof panels have a combined weight of one million pounds and travel 180 feet in 12 minutes. Two 700-foot long trusses provide primary support to the retractable panels and are the dominant visual element. The exterior of the stadium is comprised of metal panel and glass in a form resembling both a barrel cactus and a coiled snake – two shapes very true to the stadium’s desert surroundings.

IMPACT. University of Phoenix Stadium has garnered notable recognition throughout its early history. The design, functionality and overall wow factor of the venue kicked off a movement of 21st century sports facility design. Not only did University of Phoenix Stadium give the Arizona Cardinals their first permanent home – something the team had been lacking for many years – it also gave the Glendale, Arizona, community an additional revenue generator as well as a new source of pride.

The design is so bold, so striking and so in tune with the landscape.