NFL
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Arizona Cardinals

2x Champion:
1925, 1947

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i have to laugh at the artists rendering not even selling the joint out. typical cardinals. makes me sad that the Fiesta Bowl is gonna be held way out in buttfuckin egypt. That should have stayed at Sun Devil Stadium on the Arizona State University campus.

Same sentiment with the Cotton Bowl. Everyone fears it will go to Jerry World.

I hear ya. The Red River Shootout wouldnt have the same feeling without the state fair and all the chaos of finding parking in the grass lots and tailgating in 2 inches of free space.

Rant -- that would be a great thread. the cotton bowl featuring the Texas state fair and the Red River Shootout. I would do it, but i suck at finding pics.

I'M CURIOUS ABOUT HOW THE CARDS NEW STADIUM WILL IMPACT NOT ONLY THE CARDS, BUT ASU AND UA, AS WELL:

what effect, if any, will the Cardinals' new stadium have on ASU attendance? Since the Cards will obviously get a spike in attendance (and have been hurt in relationship to other NFL teams because they play in a college stadium), does the Phoenix community expect a decline at ASU (similiar to the effect that teams like the Vikings and Cowboys have had on college football attendance in the Twin Cities and the Metroplex)? Will the new stadium effect UA at all? And, if not, will it, at least, put ASU in a much worse postion in relationship with UA since Tuscon doesn't have pro-football and pro-football is about to become the most popular it has ever been in the Phoenix area?

its a great one !!!! does it change the ground like that stadium in Japan???? i bet i does !!!

The outside is almost as ugly as the outside of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Stadium. The inside is very nice though.

Yes, the field is convertible.

And I don't think the college attendance in the metroplex was affect by the Cowboys. SMU had great attendance until the recieved the death penalty. They played for the national title in the early 80s with Eric Dickerson and Craig James and would regularly fill Texas Stadium. I think its been the sucky teams that have killed it. If some of the home grown talent stayed near home, TCU, SMU and UNT would all be national powers. Instead, Dallas kids love to leave state and are even hard to keep as close as TX or OU.

The rest of the roof is taking shape

http://www.azcardinals.com/images/images/marchav05c.jpg
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http://www.azcardinals.com/images/images/interroofapril1805.jpg
http://www.azcardinals.com/images/images/stadapril1805.jpg

I've seen this stadium before on ssc, it's a very cool stadium I think. The glass lokks nice and that movable field is great.

Why is it in the middle of farmland? Nice design though.

Stu

Its a suburb near Phoenix(desert).

On the outside it looks alot like a European soccer stadium.

^I read the same about Reliant, but what European Soccer stadiums?

shit, this is an amazing stadium

no doubt.

lets hope the product inside is worth driving out to the sticks to see a game.

What the heck are sticks? ^

Great outside (apart from the carparks)...inside...not so great!

I'M CURIOUS ABOUT HOW THE CARDS NEW STADIUM WILL IMPACT NOT ONLY THE CARDS, BUT ASU AND UA, AS WELL:

what effect, if any, will the Cardinals' new stadium have on ASU attendance? Since the Cards will obviously get a spike in attendance (and have been hurt in relationship to other NFL teams because they play in a college stadium), does the Phoenix community expect a decline at ASU (similiar to the effect that teams like the Vikings and Cowboys have had on college football attendance in the Twin Cities and the Metroplex)? Will the new stadium effect UA at all? And, if not, will it, at least, put ASU in a much worse postion in relationship with UA since Tuscon doesn't have pro-football and pro-football is about to become the most popular it has ever been in the Phoenix area?




why is it that you must always ask these paragraph long philosopical questions about the most retarted things its so annoying can't you for once make a post thats shorter than 2 sentences.and not ask 30 thousand question.bro i'm sorry for being a bit bitchy but you ask so many questions

What the heck are sticks? ^

Great outside (apart from the carparks)...inside...not so great!

Car parks, or parking lots, as we refer to them, are necessary for our tailgating culture that we have in the united states. I know this is a concept that is lost on most Europeans, but "Tailgate Partying" is necessary to get good and toasted (re: drunk) before taking in a game -- its basically a huge trunk party with lots of cooking, drinking, tossing the football, dancing, talking shit to opponents fans, etc. in the hours before the game. I understand that most Euros go to the pubs before the game, but i, as do most other Americans prefere Tailgating.

Car parks, or parking lots, as we refer to them, are necessary for our tailgating culture that we have in the united states. I know this is a concept that is lost on most Europeans, but "Tailgate Partying" is necessary to get good and toasted (re: drunk) before taking in a game -- its basically a huge trunk party with lots of cooking, drinking, tossing the football, dancing, talking shit to opponents fans, etc. in the hours before the game. I understand that most Euros go to the pubs before the game, but i, as do most other Americans prefere Tailgating.

Do Baseball fans "tailgate party" before each game?

mmm, not really, they are more of the pub-to-game crowd. Baseball stadiums are more urban than football stadiums now that you made me think of it.

Have to keep in mind the schedules of each sport. Baseball is played ~80 times per year at each park. Things are more lived in. It makes total sense to put a baseball stadium in an urban area. It will bring plenty of foot traffic for a good portion of the year. Businesses can locate around the ballpark and do great business. Major arenas are the same way, as between hockey and basketball an arena will see 90-100 dates at the least when you consider concerts, shows, etc. Both are good for people going to restaurants before and after games. People love to live near them. That's why they are great urban investments for cities to make. Development usually follows if a developer can take advantage. Football on the other hand, only has 8 dates per year. Then there are only a few concerts, large church gatherings, dirt bikes, etc, etc that are large enough for such venues, so having 20 dates per year is a big deal unless its part of a convention center. That usually requires the venue to be indoors. Having so few dates at the venue does much less for surrounding business. The crowds are usually so large that people don't want to live near. Its simply not worth it to open a restaurant for EVENTS. That is what football games are. Events, where other sports with more games are simply games except for big rivals or special playoffs or famous opponents. Tailgating is part of that big event. Most important for football stadiums is connectivity. Can it be reached, and how easily can it be reached. Can I get home easily, or to activity centers easily. A lot of us want these venues downtown, but they are really sort of an urban black-hole. If the MLS was currently large enough to fill, or get close to filling these places, then you'd have a reason to be more urban.

Why are there no stands behind the endzone?

What the heck are sticks? ^

Sticks are broken bits of trees.

"The sticks" is another way of saying "the back of beyond" or "the middle of nowhere"...

^I read the same about Reliant, but what European Soccer stadiums?

I don't think the outside of the Reliant looks espeically european but the inside with the complete bowl, the steep stands and the roof does look more european than most american stadiums to me.

Complete bowl is not a European invention, nor is it more common to Europe than anywhere else, nor are steep stands. The roof has absolutely no resemblance to European roofs. For one it is actually connected to the building itself, meaning no gap between the structure and the building. It is also a two part flat roof with a flat 4 part sliding retractable. Resembles nothing in Europe that I have seen.

The stands are a horseshoe shape just like many others around the world. I imagine there will be convertable stand system in this space. Especially since they need 75,000 capacity to host the Superbowl. The closed end should provide a great noise advantage if Arizona ever becomes a good football team.

Complete bowl is not a European invention, nor is it more common to Europe than anywhere else, nor are steep stands. The roof has absolutely no resemblance to European roofs. For one it is actually connected to the building itself, meaning no gap between the structure and the building. It is also a two part flat roof with a flat 4 part sliding retractable. Resembles nothing in Europe that I have seen.
I didnt say it was idential to any european stadium just more similar than your average NFL stadium. Deep symmetrical stands are far more common in europe than the open endzones/large sidestands you often see on NFL stadia and anykind of total coverage roof is also closer than normal.

The last generation of NFL stadiums were pretty much all complete bowls with steep second and 3rd tiers(first are almost never deep anywhere in the world). The "fan" stadiums are more of a late 90s fad, of which not that many were even built. Paul Brown, Tampa, Gillette and Adelphia are the "fans". Most are indeed bowls and are symmetrical with a couple of horseshoes thrown in. The roof is not total coverage and doesn't resemble the awnings that you mostly see. Nothing European about it. Its a stadium like any other in the world.

Why are there no stands behind the endzone?

It would be difficult for the field to move in with a full stadium in the way. Especailly with American Football being the primary occupant...

Schalke has a retractable field and they have a complete ring around the field.

latest update

http://www.azcardinals.com/images/images/avo5bstadapril.jpg

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http://www.azcardinals.com/images/images/interroofapril1805.jpg

Schalke has a retractable field and they have a complete ring around the field.
I'd guess that increased the building cost for that area of the ground though where as in the US there seems to be more of a prefferance for sidestands than there is in Euorpe so it makes sense for then to build larger sidestands rather than a more expensive bowl. I'd assume that for a superbowl they'd bring in the pitch then build temporary stands behind it that wouldnt that wouldnt need to allow for its entry.

bingo

....so it makes sense for then to build larger sidestands rather than a more expensive bowl.....

Bowl = cheaper than building tall risers and upper decks. Its all up to economics. Side seats have a better view and are therefore more expensive. So when left with the choice, build on the sides and make the money back faster. There's a "lip" over the retractable field entrance that seats can be built over. But let's face it. For regular season, these are the Cardinals. No need for extra seats. If this was the Cowboys or Redskins you'd see seats over that section because of the need for seats.


anyways, more pics

http://www.az-sta.com/img/6-9-05-Stadium-lower-fromno.jpg

http://www.az-sta.com/img/6-9-05-Stadium-lower-seatin.jpg

http://www.az-sta.com/img/6-9-05-Stadium-exterior-n_w.jpg

http://www.az-sta.com/img/north-scoreboard_web.jpg

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http://www.az-sta.com/img/6-9-05-Stadium-roof-panels-.jpg

the playing field
http://www.az-sta.com/img/6-9-05-Stadium-tray-web.jpg

Seems like a poor man's Allianz arena in the middle of the desert to me.

poor man's?

^ Ouch!

As for me, I like it.

Well, compared with the design of the Allianz arena, it really looks subpar. Sorry, perhaps poor man was a term too critical for this stadium.

You might not care for barrell cactus or the stainless steel exterior, but I don't really see anything similar about the two that would make it a "poor man's" Allianz. It will be one of the world's most modern stadiums just like Allainz. I like the Allianz bowl better but the exterior, plazas and walkways, retractable roof and retractable field of this one.

Interesting vs. though they are nothing alike except for being stadiums

cost:$340 million US(Allianz) vs $355 million US(Arizona)
capacity: 66,000(Allianz) vs 63,000, expandable to 73,000(Arizona)
bowl:4 tier(3 seating, 1 luxury boxes) bowl for Allianz vs 6 tier(4 seating, 2 luxury boxes) horseshoe for Arizona
boxes: 106 VIP boxes accommodating 1,374 guests(Allianz) vs Total of 88 luxury suites on two levels (seating for approx. 1,500 patrons)
Roof: Fixed "bird fabric" covering seats(Allianz) vs Retractable "bird fabric"(Arizona)
Pitch: 238 feet x 364 feet(Allianz) vs 234 x 403 feet(Arizona)
Video screens: two 24x45 ft,16:9 ratio at 288x512 resolution(Allianz) vs 32 feet high by 145 feet wide and 27 feet high by 81 feet wide (Arizona)

You may not like the design, but Arizona's stadium is no poor man's anything. Like Allianz it will be among the world's best upon completion.

http://www.ci.glendale.az.us/Stadium/images/night-view-large.jpg

^^ why is the pitch in Arizona much longer?

Soccer field is 120yards, so is a football field.

I dunno. Lots more press behind the endzones compared to soccer would be one thing. Plus I'd imagine just a little extra for rolling consideration.

http://www.azcardinals.com/images/images/workingonroof.jpg

July 20, 2005...Interior View of East Sideline Seating
http://www.azcardinals.com/images/images/fromrollouttray.jpg

July 20, 2005...Night Shot of Exterior (Looking Southeast)
http://www.azcardinals.com/images/images/nighshot.jpg

July 20, 2005...Field Level View
http://www.azcardinals.com/images/images/viewfromfield.jpg

Christ theres at least five teirs in that stadium, I can't lie looks well and truly impressive but whats the point of moving the pitch out of the stadium when it will only go up in flames from the heat.

grass doesn't grow well under roofs or in a heat box. I'd imagine it really would be expensive to air condition the inside all the time as well as opening and closing the roof for it everyday. At least that's why the few other rolling field's do it.

I like the open feel to it. Its a nice design, very similar to the one proposed for valencia. Thanks for the pics.

Do Baseball fans "tailgate party" before each game?


They do at Miller Park in Milwaukee.

^You guys do it different up there. Yall definitely know how to throw down on some pre-game nourishment.

Too bad the team that will play there won't be as impressive as the stadium.

Too bad the team that will play there won't be as impressive as the stadium.

True, no one can argue the race for the worst front office and owner is tight between the Niners and Cardinals.

But hopefully not playing in an antiquated COLLEGE stadium will help boost revenue dramatically. :)

True, no one can argue the race for the worst front office and owner is tight between the Niners and Cardinals.

But hopefully not playing in an antiquated COLLEGE stadium will help boost revenue dramatically. :)


Unfortunately that is all Bidwell cares about is revenue. The problem is that the Cardinals are a family owned business and for the Bidwells it is their source of income where as with other franchises the owners made their fortunes doing something else and they got into owning a franchise partialy because of their love of the sport.

True, no one can argue the race for the worst front office and owner is tight between the Niners and Cardinals.

But hopefully not playing in an antiquated COLLEGE stadium will help boost revenue dramatically. :)

Actually what hurt the team was the horrible front office, and sub-par performance every year. I think the location of sun devil stadium was great. It made sense because phoenix isn't a football town, and no way in my humble opinion should the local government subsidize a new stadium or future profits for the Bidwells.

Slight derail, are European football stadiums privately financed?

If Glendale feels its a good investment for them, then more power to them. It probably isn't though if they don't have the infrastructure to support the big events the stadium will bring.

As for the second question: Some are, some aren't, just like in the US.

I think that this thing is UGLY!!! Ugly team, ugly stadium! And why the hell is out in the middle of nowhee? No offense, but you all in Phoenix just don't get it when t comes to football...

I was just looking at the Google satellite maps. It looks like the Glendale Arena and the City Center development is in the same general vacinity as the new stadium. Although the stadium design is less than I anticipated, this whole development area looks very promising.

I think that this thing is UGLY!!! Ugly team, ugly stadium! And why the hell is out in the middle of nowhee? No offense, but you all in Phoenix just don't get it when t comes to football...
yeah guy the 07 super bowl is going to be there:ohno:. I'm can't for the life of me figure out why people want their state and local government to subsidize sport stadiums.

I'm can't for the life of me figure out why people want their state and local government to subsidize sport stadiums.

Simple. If they don't pay up, the teams'll threaten to move. And especially NFL franchises have this sort of power over their home towns, because there's plenty of other cities out there who would gladly build a stadium for the promise of gaining a football team.

I know... it's quite evil.

:evil:

sometimes sports stadiums are a good investment for a municipality to make. Sometimes they aren't. Its not a black or white issue, but rather very specific to each case and the anticipated use. of the venue. It will be a great investment for Glendale if they can take advantage of what the stadium will bring. Until I know their plans for the stadium, its hard to know if they can take advantage.

Slight derail, are European football stadiums privately financed?

That depends on the country. Im from the UK and I'm pretty sure all but one out of the pro teams (City of Manchester) are privately financed.

Most teams prefer to own their own facilities in the UK and Spain but In Italy and Germany, thecities foot a large % of the bills and the teams rent from them after being tied into long term, 30 or so year, contracts.

I beleive PSG (Paris Saint Germain) were actually paid to use Parc de Prince in Paris for a few seasons.

that is officially the ugliest new stadium i've ever seen, if the end result is anything like the artists rendtioning (and judging by the construction shots, it will be)

http://www.az-sta.com/img/7-26-05-lower-seating-bowl.jpg
http://azcardinals.com/images/images/interiorview.gif

grass doesn't grow well under roofs or in a heat box. I'd imagine it really would be expensive to air condition the inside all the time as well as opening and closing the roof for it everyday. At least that's why the few other rolling field's do it.

yep it makes sure you got a nice pitch all the time and you wont have to rely on turf or on grass and artificial grass mixtures.
this system has first been installed in the Velredome in the Netherlands.
The Veltins Arena in Schalke also features a moveable pitch.
Both never had problems like other stadiums (AOL-Arena/Westfalenstadion)
where a new grass-pitch needs to be installed every 6 months or so.

http://www.azcentral.com/sshow/Sports/Cardinals/406_50325.jpg
http://www.azcardinals.com/images/images/10-284.jpg
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http://www.azcardinals.com/images/images/shotfield10-14.jpg

Why on earth does a stadium in Arizona needs a roof? Roofs on stadiums take away the whole stadium atmosphere, in my opinion. Covered seating OK, but a roof over the pitch? And how awful how it's built in the middle of freakin' nowhere. You Americans create every possibility to get out as far as possible with the gasguzzlers, huh? ;)

Anyway, to me the stadium looks like something out of Dune. Very futuristic!

Why on earth does a stadium in Arizona needs a roof? Roofs on stadiums take away the whole stadium atmosphere, in my opinion. Covered seating OK, but a roof over the pitch?
Tell me you're not having a dig at your rivals AJAX and their Amsterdam ArenA :)

Arizona needs a roof because its normal to see temps above 100-110F early in the season. A roof will also allow them to host Final Fours, Stampede's, certain concerts and conventions, etc.

They are building one of those masterplanned villages around it. No different than most stadiums I've seen on this board.

Tell me you're not having a dig at your rivals AJAX and their Amsterdam ArenA :)

The ArenA has a retractable roof :)

Well, I guess not all cities can build fantastic stadiums in fan-friendly downtown's like Indianapolis.

http://www.az-tsa.com/img/11-4-05-stadium-exterior-fl.jpg
http://www.az-tsa.com/img/11-4-05-stadium-6.jpg
http://www.az-tsa.com/img/11-4-05-stadium-5.jpg
http://www.az-tsa.com/img/11-4-05-stadium-2.jpg
http://www.az-tsa.com/img/11-4-05-stadium-10.jpg

Well, I guess not all cities can build fantastic stadiums in fan-friendly downtown's like Indianapolis.
http://www.westgateaz.com/home.asp

I like the stadium

Bulit in the middle of nowhere, not integrated in the city and not being a part of the city... the building itself looks ok but overall I don't like the project

Bulit in the middle of nowhere, not integrated in the city and not being a part of the city... the building itself looks ok but overall I don't like the project

Go to that website and you will see it will become part of Glendale http://www.westgateaz.com/home.asp

The Astrodome was built way out in buttf*cking Egypt back in the day. That didn't last long. Now the area is practically midtown.

I like this project. The stadium is very unique, not necessarily my favorite of the new builds, but the project as a whole seems like it will be a huge success. Master plan communities have always intersted me, although that's my job (I help do master plan financing).

It seems like retractable roofs are the norm now, even it hot weather climates such as Houston and Phoenix, I guess because it gets too hot. I wonder how many NFL teams have them now, must be at least 3.

Houston just gets really humid, and I'm not talking 100% humidity, I'm talking 150% humidity.

Many times of year, the actual temp will be around 90 degrees, but the heat index will be 115+ degrees. That extra 25 degrees is due to humidity. The heat just tends to stick to you here. I'm not sure if there is anywhere in the world, outside of southern louisiana, that has the same type of weather phenomenon as near Houston. The truth is, retractable roofs are not for the players. They can handle the heat. Especially with their gel, water, and air cooled padding. It's the average NFL fan who is not as tolerant to 100+ degree heat while you sit in one seat for 3 hours.

That's why I love college sports. Much more dedicated fans. Will be there come rain, sleet, hail, heat, you name it.

Retractable roofs ruin the sport IMO, but they make perfect since for the franchises.

Real sports are played outside though. Boys, there ain't nothing like tailgating for Baylor baseball in 100+ degree heat all day, then sitting in uncovered stadium for a 4 hour extra inning game, only to see your team win and go on to the College World Series. It's a thing of beauty. What sports are all about. And zero retractable roof crap.

http://www.azcardinals.com/images/images/greatlawnhp.jpg




As construction continues on the new Cardinals Stadium in the West Valley, the Arizona Cardinals Football Club recently released the site plan for Sportsman’s Park, the area which will surround and encompass the stadium. The 160 acre region includes car parks, grass areas and other open space available to the public.

“We wanted to extend the fan experience and standard of design excellence from the stadium to the site and provide an unparalleled site environment to enhance the pre and post game experience for our fans,” offered Cardinals Vice President and General Counsel Michael Bidwill. “We also needed to give this special place a name. We chose ‘Sportsman’s Park’ which connotes the significance of the football stadium and the unique park-like setting of the site.”

“We have been researching and listening to our fans for a long time,” continued Bidwill. “We have conducted focus groups and been getting feedback on what the fans like and we think Sportsman’s Park is an area that everyone will be able to enjoy.”

The Cardinals teamed up with award winning landscape architect Michael Dollin of Urban Earth Design to create a design aimed to generate the ultimate fan experience.

Dollin’s resume includes over twenty years of experience on a wide range of built and published products including the Goldwater Memorial, the Salt River Project Headquarters, and Heritage Square Park Downtown Phoenix. He began his private practice in 1989 after a decade of work with leading architects and planning engineers primarily in Arizona, Texas, and the Middle East. Emphasizing integration of design and environment, his work consistently seeks to evaluate the quality of the constructed world. Additionally, Dollin has taught a variety of courses in urban design and landscape architect and currently teaches classes at Arizona State University.

“It’s an honor to work on this project,” said Dollin. “It is really one of the highlights of my career and it is a fantastic project that I think the entire valley can be proud of.”


http://www.azcards.com/images/images/shadedwalkways.jpg


Sportsman’s Park, which will encompass over 20 acres of turf, will include an eight-acre public area called the Great Lawn, on-site car parks which will handle over 14,000 vehicles, and an abundance of trees and other landscape appointments native to the area.

"We set out as a goal to have a great tailgating site but what our designers have created is the best tailgating venue not only in the Valley but also the National Football League,” commented Bidwill. “Nothing comes close. What we have done is unprecedented."

“It is a wonderful gesture by the Bidwill family to create a space for people to use not only during games but throughout the entire year,” added Dollin. “The Bidwills are a shining example of taking privately owned space and making it available for the public to enjoy.”

Sportsman’s Park
Great Lawn
An eight-acre expanse of grass surrounded by sycamore trees, the Great Lawn extends west from 95th Avenue to the Loop 101. The lawn will stretch over 1,000 feet and is designed for use by fans while tailgating at games or to use during other activities outside the stadium.

Surrounding the Great Lawn is a 50-foot wide promenade. Adjoining the path are three rows of sycamore trees, and ample lighting which will illuminate the area during the evening hours. This region will also include seating areas and drinking fountains throughout.

http://www.azcards.com/images/images/closeupgreatlawn.jpg


"This is going to provide an absolutely phenomenal atmosphere for everyone that comes to Cardinals games," said head coach Dennis Green. "You won't find a better stadium in all of sports. Fans will want to come early, tailgate, enjoy the game and then probably stay a while after it's over too."

In addition to the uninterrupted expanse of grass, the Great Lawn will include areas for vendors and musicians.

Plant Varieties
The vegetation that will be planted throughout Sportsman Park was selected to incorporate the farming heritage of the West Valley. 1250 trees will be planted on the site before opening day.

“The land in the West Valley has great history,” said Bidwill. “We took the agricultural design and activated it.”

To honor that heritage, several broad leaf shade trees were incorporated into the design. With their red berries, Red Pistache trees will provide color in the fall, while the Arizona Sycamore’s white bark will offer a contrast during the winter months. Both varieties are deciduous, allowing for sunlight during the winter and ample shade during the hot summer months.


http://www.azcards.com/images/images/pistachetrees3.jpg


Arizona Ash bears brilliant gold leaves during the fall and the Evergreen Pear, located primarily in the plaza area, will produce white flowers in January—timely color for college bowl games and Super Bowl XLII in 2008.

Additionally, the color red will be incorporated throughout, using the foliage of the Bradford Pear tree, the leaves and fruit of the Roger’s Red Grape vine, and an abundance of red Bougainvillea bushes which will outline the fence area.

“From day one we will have sizeable trees,” Bidwill said. “We have taken a variety of plants that haven’t been traditionally used in the area. It is a great setting and framework for the stadium site.”

http://www.azcards.com/images/images/stadsiteplan1.jpg



The new Cardinals Stadium will be open in time for the 2006 season. The world-class venue will not only feature a retractable roof but will also be the first in North America to feature a fully retractable grass playing surface.

In addition to hosting Cardinals games, the stadium will host the Fiesta Bowl annually as well as the BCS National Championship Game in January of 2007 and Super Bowl XLII in February of 2008. The stadium will have a seating capacity of 63,000 fans with the ability to expand to 73,000 for marquee events.

http://www.azcardinals.com/images/images/95thavegameday.jpg


http://www.azcardinals.com/images/images/95thavenongameday.jpg

“This is just another step as we move towards the completion of the new Cardinals Stadium,” concluded Bidwill. “We are excited about Sportsman’s Park and the opportunities it presents for fans and the general public. This is going to be an area everyone can enjoy on a year round basis, not just during football season.”

http://www.azcardinals.com/images/images/siteplanaerial.jpg

Click here for recent stories on the new Cardinals Stadium
Click here for more images of Sportsman's Park and the New Cardinals Stadium

Why on earth does a stadium in Arizona needs a roof? Roofs on stadiums take away the whole stadium atmosphere, in my opinion. Covered seating OK, but a roof over the pitch? And how awful how it's built in the middle of freakin' nowhere. You Americans create every possibility to get out as far as possible with the gasguzzlers, huh? ;)

Anyway, to me the stadium looks like something out of Dune. Very futuristic!


No offense but I don't get some Europeans. Relativley low rise ugly roof overhangs are what makes a stadium "great" (I have seen pretty few European overhangs that are great architectural or visual splendors) yet a dome (which I kinda agree with) or restractable roof is bad. Tell me how open air roofs are so much better then retractable roofs when open?

By most Europeans logic and their preferance for roofs then wouldn't "more" roof make it better or something?

Yet a stadium that doesn't have any roof at all is seeing as incomplete and lacking somehow. I just don't get the logic.

No offense but I don't get some Europeans. Relativley low rise ugly roof overhangs are what makes a stadium "great" (I have seen pretty few European overhangs that are great architectural or visual splendors) yet a dome (which I kinda agree with) or restractable roof is bad. Tell me how open air roofs are so much better then retractable roofs when open?

By most Europeans logic and their preferance for roofs then wouldn't "more" roof make it better or something?

Yet a stadium that doesn't have any roof at all is seeing as incomplete and lacking somehow. I just don't get the logic.

Well, I don't think all Europeans view retractable roofs as bad. Actually, I think most Europeans, at least up north, likes them. I think what carfentanyl was getting at, was why there is a need for a cover for both stands and pitches in a dry desert-like climate. I asked this question myself with Houston's (I think it was) new ballpark a while ago. I asked because I only up until that saw rain, cold and snow as the only factors in deciding to go for a fully retractable roof. Then someone, probably rantanamo, wrote that it can also, of course, be used to lower temperatures in hot climates like the southern USA. I think that's also why carfentanyl asked.

Also why some Europeans, and maybe especially Dutch people, would have a problem with retractable roofs is that the Amsterdam Arena's roof makes the pitch pretty shitty, and although it can create an intimidating atmosphere, it also makes the stadium quite bleak, of you ask me. And so they maybe project this image to all retractable roof stadiums.

As for the roof thing: We, at least up here in the north don't like to get wet while watching our teams, as it take away some of the focus on what's going on, and the fact that it just sucks getting wet. So I guess that's why we always put a roof over the stands, at least.
Plus I personally don't like my roofs or overall designs for my weekly football stadiums being overly architecturally inspiring. That's why I like all the new German stadiums so much. Most of them are practically just a rectangular box of seats around a rectangular slab of grass, but they look pretty good, have modern facilities, and provide you with the most important thing; great view and full attention to the action on the field. The new Portuguese stadiums also excel at this.

Other than the effect it can have on a pitch(which is isnt relivant in this case) I don't think many people have a problem with closing roofs. What most european football fans do like though is a roof low enough to create the best atmosphere possible but height enough to allow you to view most of the stadium.

I'm sure theirs a freudian reason why football fans preffer roofed stadia aswell, recreating trible cave worship or something. ;)

Other than the effect it can have on a pitch(which is isnt relivant in this case) I don't think many people have a problem with closing roofs. What most european football fans do like though is a roof low enough to create the best atmosphere possible but height enough to allow you to view most of the stadium.

I'm sure theirs a freudian reason why football fans preffer roofed stadia aswell, recreating trible cave worship or something. ;)


Intreasting. From the photos I have seen many European football roofs look very low and hugged close to the stands though. Doesn't this almost make it feel like a dome when you in certain parts of the stadium you can barely look out in the sky (at least from the pics some look this way). And if the roofs are to low down on the upper tier of the stands does it ever feel a bit claustrophobic?

^Must remember that the U.S. has great weather. When we think European roof, we are mostly talking about English roof, where the weather is Seattle-like. Well, what US stadium has an "English-like roof"? Seattle. Most places don't need them, or simply need more.

It was I that pointed out the heat in the southern US. The Southern US climate is like Spain's in the summer. But places like Las Vegas or Phoenix are more like the Desert Middle East. Temps in the 110 F range are normal. So hot that its counterproductive. Places like Houston and Dallas are normal to see 100-105F in the second half of the summer, with very high humidity that gives THIs of 110-115. Again, counterproductive heat. So much so, that along with the lack of wind, The Texas Rangers have a horrible time attracting big name players to play baseball for them. The Houston Astros and Arizona(in Phoenix) Diamondbacks solved this with retractable roofs, and both have been to the World Series and signed many more big name players. Its all about climate, what the fans want(sunshine in the US), and what the franchise needs. One is not better than the other.

Intreasting. From the photos I have seen many European football roofs look very low and hugged close to the stands though. Doesn't this almost make it feel like a dome when you in certain parts of the stadium you can barely look out in the sky (at least from the pics some look this way). And if the roofs are to low down on the upper tier of the stands does it ever feel a bit claustrophobic?

I don't think many would say Old Traffords roof for example is ideal(although the new devolpment will make it feel a bit more open) although not being able to see all of the ground rather than not being able to see the sky would be most peoples problem with it I'd guess. What british fans espeically seem to value though as I said is a close intense atmosphere with grounds that don't try to appear more epic than they really are, not something that can really be captured or appriated by looking at photographs.

The best example I can think of the difference between US and UK attitudes to roofs is a comparason between the Millenium Stadium and the Reliant Stadium. Both have around the same capacity, both have retractable roofs yet the Milleniums roof is as low as it can be at almost 90 degrees starting directly at the top of the stands were as Relients roof starts much higher and arcs over the stands.

http://www.azcardinals.com/images/images/exterior12-9.jpg

Exterior shot


http://www.azcardinals.com/images/images/roofopen1.jpg

Shot of the open roof



http://www.azcardinals.com/images/images/roofopen2.jpg

Shot of the open roof

http://www.azcardinals.com/images/images/roofopen3.jpg

Shot of the open roof


http://www.azcardinals.com/images/images/roofopen4.jpg

Shot of the open roof


http://www.azcardinals.com/images/images/roofopen5.jpg

Shot of the open roof

http://www.azcardinals.com/images/images/roofopen6.jpg

Shot of the open roof


http://www.azcardinals.com/images/images/open7.jpg

Shot of the open roof


http://www.azcardinals.com/images/images/roofopen11.jpg

Exterior shot

The photos make it look a lot better than the renderings.

http://www.westgateaz.com/home.asp


wow, thanks for the link. Is that a high rise I see proposed?

New Virtual tour of the Stadium

https://www.seats3d.com/nfl/arizona_cardinals/

http://www.az-tsa.com/img/12-20-05-Jim-Garrison-roof.jpg

Jim Garrison of Hunt Construction looks down into the stadium's north end zone from the west side.

http://www.az-tsa.com/img/12-20-05-north-end-zone-roo.jpg


View from the southeast corner toward the north end zone showing open roof and progress on seat installation.

http://www.az-tsa.com/img/12-20-05-Roof-curve-workers.jpg

Cable drum drives in transporters winch the panels along these cables.

http://www.az-tsa.com/img/12-20-05-roof-motors.jpg


J.D. Bynum of Uni-Systems shows the motors which power the cable drum drives in a transporter.

http://www.az-tsa.com/img/12-20-05-Roof-overlap.jpg


The south panel is retracted over the top of the non-movable portion of the roof.

http://www.az-tsa.com/img/12-20-05-Roof-southendzone.jpg

It's about 206 feet down to the stadium floor from the roof, here viewing the slot where the field tray rolls out.

http://www.az-tsa.com/img/12-20-05-workers-installing.jpg

Workers are starting to put the finishing touches on seats, cup holders and aisle railings in the southeast corner.

brilliant

gotta admit, the stadium certainly looks impressive, especially from the inside

The gradient of the bottom tier must be even less than the emirates stadium!
Nice looking stadium, but I'm not overly impressed with a completely empty end, ie without seats - I never have liked that.

The gradient of the bottom tier must be even less than the emirates stadium!
Nice looking stadium, but I'm not overly impressed with a completely empty end, ie without seats - I never have liked that.

It will only be empty during cardinals football games. For the Superbowl, Fiesta Bowl, College Football National Championship, and Final Four, there will be seating there, bringing capacity up to 73,000

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v437/sunvevo/glen.jpg

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http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v437/sunvevo/glen3.jpg

A super expensive stadium with a retractable field, roof, great sightlines and NFL saavy design doesn't need to impress. Its already impressive. Just wish it had ventilation in mind and made the end walls retractable.

Is a retractable roof really needed in Arizona?

http://www.sportslogos.net/images/Football/NFL/AZ_2641.gif
http://www.sportslogos.net/images/Football/NFL/AZ_292.gif

http://www.azcardinals.com/nm_files/Image/cheerleaders/Auditions.jpg

nicee....
but where is the city? :D

It's in Glendale, a couple of miles northeast of Downtown Phoenix, AZ. Right to the north of the stadium is Glendale Arena, home of the Phoenix Coyotes.

http://www.azcardinals.com/nm_files/Image/cheerleaders/Auditions.jpg

Is that Marilyn Manson in a blonde wig??!

Is a retractable roof really needed in Arizona?

YES.

Is a retractable roof really needed in Arizona?

Due to the heat it is a must, thats one of the reasons why no one shows up to cards games now in Sun Devil Stadium (theyre also not very good), the baseball field in Phoenix has one as well.

When you average 40 degrees Celcius in August/September, having a retractable roof stadium for (American) football is a must.

The unique aspect of the roof in Phoenix/Glendale is that it's on a elipical track, a first in athletic venues. Most retractable roofs are on a straight track, including Chase Field in Downtown Phoenix.

I see.But air conditioning and ventilation is also a must.

Is that Marilyn Manson in a blonde wig??!

really is hideous isn't she

http://img85.imageshack.us/img85/6742/58940665cardinalsstadiumapril2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img85.imageshack.us/img85/4171/58941490cardinalsstadiumapril2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img85.imageshack.us/img85/5440/58941850cardinalsstadiumapril2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img85.imageshack.us/img85/1639/58942331cardinalsstadiumapril2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img87.imageshack.us/img87/6223/58942746cardinalsstadiumapril2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Looking good. How long until completion?

Impressive. A definate upgrade over Sundevil Stadium.

I love this stadium, when I first saw the renders, I thought 'they'll never build it' but hey they proved me wrong, I'm soo jealous of this!

but why is it that most NFL stadiums have that blank wall on the sides? even relliant in Texas has it.

but why is it that most NFL stadiums have that blank wall on the sides? even relliant in Texas has it.

I don't follow. Reliant has blank walls on the side?

I don't follow. Reliant has blank walls on the side?
http://img284.imageshack.us/img284/5394/reliant2rd.jpg
http://img198.imageshack.us/img198/1639/58942331cardinalsstadiumapril2.jpg

wow, looks nice. The stands are a bit too flat though.

http://img284.imageshack.us/img284/5394/reliant2rd.jpg
http://img198.imageshack.us/img198/1639/58942331cardinalsstadiumapril2.jpg

Let's examine the quote of your's:

"most". What are the others with such a space? Georgia Dome, maybe? Superdome, maybe? The NFL = 31 stadiums. That is maybe four. Perhaps you could add Ford Field. I wouldn't count it or Reliant, leaving 3. Lucas Oil will have glass walls, but those are retractable and serve to bring in more light.

Also, I don't see the commonality. The Reliant portion is obviously an overhang, there for the huge widescreen video board and ad board. Its hanging off of a structural part of the roof. The AZ wall, looks like a wall. Keeps the roof higher, keeping the stadium more airy is my guess. Its a dome, not an outdoor english soccer stadium. I don't think its much different than the large space above the ends at Dragao or Zentralstadion. Instead of being outdoors, like Dragao, the goal of this stadium is to be indoors when the roof is closed.

I bet you see all kinds of ads, posters and flags. Remember, this is the US, not a stadium trying gain a UEFA 5 star rating. Ads will be everywhere, and that's probably the best place. One thing that certainly will be there is their crowd noise meter.

roof open

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f199/jimomo/34714c7d.jpg

a little idea of the scale of the video boards

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f199/jimomo/fd6cdada.jpg

the retractable field

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f199/jimomo/9d064c94.jpg

Let's examine the quote of your's:

Also, I don't see the commonality. The Reliant portion is obviously an overhang, there for the huge widescreen video board and ad board. Its hanging off of a structural part of the roof. The AZ wall, looks like a wall. Keeps the roof higher, keeping the stadium more airy is my guess. Its a dome, not an outdoor english soccer stadium. I don't think its much different than the large space above the ends at Dragao or Zentralstadion. Instead of being outdoors, like Dragao, the goal of this stadium is to be indoors when the roof is closed.

I bet you see all kinds of ads, posters and flags. Remember, this is the US, not a stadium trying gain a UEFA 5 star rating. Ads will be everywhere, and that's probably the best place. One thing that certainly will be there is their crowd noise meter.

Thanx for that, well Drago has those spaces there for expansion, if portugal do happen to host the WC, then temps stands could be erected there.

361 days after my first comment in this this thread, I thought i'd make another.



I like stadiums like this, theres something cool about it (especially the inside), almost as if it was a warehouse first, then made into a stadium...same with miller park.

Reminds me of like, kung foo films where the fights take place infront of 100s of people in an old warehouse somewhere.

Thanx for that, well Drago has those spaces there for expansion, if portugal do happen to host the WC, then temps stands could be erected there.

That's what will also happen with this stadium for Super Bowls, Fiesta Bowl or WC on the open horseshoe end.

Excellent stadium

nicee....
but where is the city? :D

don't worry, the sprawl will reach the stadium soon enough.

Sorry for bumping an old thread, but I couldn't help but share it with you. They have a video of the installation of the grass at the stadium. Here's the link:

Field in place at Cardinals Stadium (http://play.rbn.com/?url=nfl/nfl/open/cardinals/demand/grasspkg.rm)

Too bad they can't mow it right now...

http://www.azcardinals.com/fanzone/messageboard/attachment.php?attachmentid=347&d=1149290064

http://www.azcardinals.com/fanzone/messageboard/attachment.php?attachmentid=346&d=1149290019

http://www.azcardinals.com/fanzone/messageboard/attachment.php?attachmentid=368&d=1149448637

http://www.az-tsa.com/img/6-14-06-field-roll-in_doors.jpg
"Flipper" doors at the south end open similar to a garage door allowing the field tray to slide underneath.

http://www.az-tsa.com/img/6-14-06-field-roll-in-enter.jpg
The field tray begins entry into the stadium through the flipper doors.


http://www.az-tsa.com/img/6-14-06-field-roll-in-compl.jpg
Seen from the north end, Upper Terrace, the field is fully in the inboard position with the roof fully retracted.

http://www.arizonasportsfans.com/vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=11036&d=1150310532

http://www.arizonasportsfans.com/vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=11037&d=1150310536

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http://www.arizonasportsfans.com/vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=11033&d=1150233750

Pictures are courtesy of ds512az and az-tsa.com

I have a question. Here's the south videoboard:

http://www.azcardinals.com/fanzone/messageboard/attachment.php?attachmentid=347&d=1149290064

And here's the north:

http://www.arizonasportsfans.com/vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=11027&d=1150233685

Why is one videoboard smaller than the other?

I'd bet the south board is true HD. The places with the big ones that we've been seeing in the NFL over the last few years are huge, but not HD. Most recently you've been seeing even bigger ones going in that are HD. I'd imagine that makes the cost crazy. The same is happening at Dolphin Stadium as well, and at UT's DKR Memorial(World's Largest). One is bigger than the other. I'm sure the smaller will be upgrade.

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f199/jimomo/100.jpg

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f199/jimomo/101.jpg

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http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f199/jimomo/119.jpg

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f199/jimomo/120.jpg

Pics courtesy of Jim O.

I love this stadium. I think all the new retracktable dome stadiums coming along in the U.S. are going to be pretty dope (is the new Dallas stadium going to be retracktable?

^yes it will.

I bet you see more projects like Cleveland and Miami even though KC's measure failed. With new digs for the 'Boys, it wouldn't surprise me to see FedEx add a roof. Teams will do what they must to stay competitive. Even if that means a total renovation of a stadium built 10 years ago. For that fact, I bet New York rethinks their stadium as well as Philly adding something along the lines of what Cleveland is proposing.

^yes it will.

I bet you see more projects like Cleveland and Miami even though KC's measure failed. With new digs for the 'Boys, it wouldn't surprise me to see FedEx add a roof. Teams will do what they must to stay competitive. Even if that means a total renovation of a stadium built 10 years ago. For that fact, I bet New York rethinks their stadium as well as Philly adding something along the lines of what Cleveland is proposing.

rantanamo, I haven't heard much about the new Miami project. Are there details or threads on that one? They are plannig a retractable on Dolphins stadium? Also, when are renderings for the Dallas stadium supposed to come out (haven't seen them if they already are)

I wonder how much retrofitting these stadiums for a roof that was never orginally intended cost (if it really spikes up the cost compared to if a retracktable was intended in the first place).

If many of these stadiums do expect a Super Bowl for such retrofitting that will really make the SB rotation whackey for near future. It will also be interesting to see if these stadiums get more then one SB for their efforts and expense. I guess maybe I have understimated how much a SB really brings to a city (which I aleady knew was huge) if some of them want to build primarley for a SB.

Built in less time that its taken Wembley to get to its present stage? I mean since they started building Wembley, not including knocking down the old one.

rantanamo, I haven't heard much about the new Miami project. Are there details or threads on that one? They are plannig a retractable on Dolphins stadium? Also, when are renderings for the Dallas stadium supposed to come out (haven't seen them if they already are)

I wonder how much retrofitting these stadiums for a roof that was never orginally intended cost (if it really spikes up the cost compared to if a retracktable was intended in the first place).

If many of these stadiums do expect a Super Bowl for such retrofitting that will really make the SB rotation whackey for near future. It will also be interesting to see if these stadiums get more then one SB for their efforts and expense. I guess maybe I have understimated how much a SB really brings to a city (which I aleady knew was huge) if some of them want to build primarley for a SB.


The stadiums would be fine if they only get one Superbowl. The "impact" of one, if the city has the infrastructure to collect(hotels, entertainment venues, restaurants, wise use of city advertising), is plenty to justify the cost. Reliant and Ford Field are the new models of this formula. They are versatile enough to host a huge number of events each year. New Orleans knew this long ago with the Superdome. Build it right and you'll do fine. One Superbowl can only add to that worth.

I don't retrofitting a modern stadium for a roof is that big of a deal. It just depends on exactly what they want to do. Even the Cotton Bowl had a roof plan.

Dolphin Stadium hasn't released renderings yet, but a $300 million renovation was announced about a year ago. The first phase are the new large scoreboards and name change with consequent signage changes. There will be some infrastructural renovations, new club areas and the move to a football only venue. Then a retractable roof. This is a privately funded project by the Dolphin's ownership. The Cowboys haven't released their plans publicly either. The stadium is under-construction though. They are shaping the lower bowl. The only things published about it are location(diagnally soutwest from Ameriquest Field), infill turf rather than grass, retractable roof, concrete and steel exterior, FIFA soccer dimentsions and 75,000 permanent capacity with expandability up to 100,000. I'd imagine since its supposed to be the end all of stadiums(I don't believe that for one second) the Cowboys are being very close to the vest. I'm just hoping for something as sleek and stylish as Valencia's new stadium. Add a retractable roof to that building and I think you'd have what I'd like to see.

Dolphin Stadium hasn't released renderings yet, but a $300 million renovation was announced about a year ago. The first phase are the new large scoreboards and name change with consequent signage changes. There will be some infrastructural renovations, new club areas and the move to a football only venue. Then a retractable roof. This is a privately funded project by the Dolphin's ownership. .

thanks for the info Rantanamo, man you know your getting old when the first "new stadium" (Dolphins Stad.) you remember coming along has to have a 300 mill. makeover.

The Cowboys stadium is UC and their is no renderings? Jerry must really have some interesting ideas if he doesn't even want renders out. Also nice to hear these are going to be privately financed projects as well.

We, here in Dallas are just as confused as anyone. It might have something to do with the political aspects of the project. A lot of Dallasites feel robbed. A lot of people in Arlington are angry, as eminent domain was declared legal in this project, so they lost their homes. The only proof we have are a few pics on dallasmetropolis of the hole being dug and clearing taking place. The only info we get are from random sources. Once during the Cowboys late Sunday show, they had a short story about Jerry working with the architects. You saw a cross-section of a club seating area where Jerry orders the largest chairs for that section. He also talks of wanting continuity of some kind with Texas Stadium. And that was it. Next we heard was from a small FW Star Telegram article where he compared it to the new Cardinals Stadiums. This is where I got details listed above. The design was supposed to be released this past May. Now its supposed to be for the summer. I'm afraid it might just suck, LOL.

Sweet stadium! What's with the weird changeover between red and grey seats though? Looks kind of random...

Sweet stadium! What's with the weird changeover between red and grey seats though? Looks kind of random...
the grey seats align with the "slits" in the stadium where the windows are

the red to grey isn't random at all. Its obviously a pattern.

Built in less time that its taken Wembley to get to its present stage? I mean since they started building Wembley, not including knocking down the old one.

Of course Wembley is much bigger and more complex.


Great stadium, shame It will actually go unnoticed around the world...or my part of the world rather.

If such a stadium was built in europe we would hear about it often.

New Arizona Cardinals ? whatever happened with the St Louis Cardinals? Did they move or something?

I think they're a baseball team.

New Arizona Cardinals ? whatever happened with the St Louis Cardinals? Did they move or something?No, you're just a bit confused that's all.

The Arizona Cardinals are an NFL football team, whereas the St. Louis Cardinals are an MLB baseball team. Curiously enough, the current Arizona Cardinals were once the St Louis football team that shared the same name as its baseball team.

The stadium looks pretty good so far, even though I think they should have built some stands over the end of the stadium where the pitch comes in.
Now it looks a bit like a giant garage door.

But on a whole I like the stadium. It has a contemporary look which I always prefer over some retro "lets buy ourselves some history" look.

the stands look well proportioned and they are also nearer and flatter towards the pitch than in the Veltins arena which is a good thing.

the colour of the seats are also fine and match the grey of the concrete.
the roof is good as it is shaped upwards and not inwards as in many other stadiums.
even though it may be a little dark inside once the roof is closed

No, you're just a bit confused that's all.

The Arizona Cardinals are an NFL football team, whereas the St. Louis Cardinals are an MLB baseball team. Curiously enough, the current Arizona Cardinals were once the St Louis football team that shared the same name as its baseball team.


That can only happen in the USA... I like the buisenes aproach of the americans though.

The stadium looks pretty good so far, even though I think they should have built some stands over the end of the stadium where the pitch comes in.
Now it looks a bit like a giant garage door.

But on a whole I like the stadium. It has a contemporary look which I always prefer over some retro "lets buy ourselves some history" look.

It does have the option of putting up a temp stand if they get the superbowl or I'd guess if they hosted a World Cup game in the future.

From the pics its certainly looks like an improvement on the domes of the past, besides the fact they werent retractable one of the things I didnt like about most of those stadiums roofs was that they were almost too high and too plain which made the stands look smaller.

Of course Wembley is much bigger and more complex.


Great stadium, shame It will actually go unnoticed around the world...or my part of the world rather.

If such a stadium was built in europe we would hear about it often.

Not really. Your contractors are just slow.

true

looks bigger than 63,000??!!

yes

The architects have done a good job

new pics were released on the AZ Cardinals website the other day.

BTW, the stadium opens tonight i think

Another pic

http://www.stadiumsofnfl.com/future/cards903.jpg

^^ and isnt that just so much more beautiful than a retro brick house? ;)

Not really, just different. Brick wouldn't have been Phoenix appropriate anyway.

^^ dunno. I just generllay think its rather stupid to built a stadium that wont be there for too long anyways in a retro style.
Plus I hate bricks.
But everyone has a different opinion on this I guess.

Scrimmage wasn't open to the public, only to the stadium workers and families.

http://www.redforceone.com/Aug.%205th_files/DSC_0687.jpg

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http://www.redforceone.com/Aug.%205th_files/DSC_0777.jpg

Special Thanks to Red Force One for the Pics

http://i.pbase.com/g4/39/643939/2/64665899.5e4I4lXo.jpg

http://i.pbase.com/g4/39/643939/2/64666605.dDWXZbeL.jpg
North End Zone

http://i.pbase.com/g4/39/643939/2/64666989.fkCJ8lZi.jpg
South End Zone

http://i.pbase.com/g4/39/643939/2/64667121.hNHMlvds.jpg
North Scoreboard

http://i.pbase.com/g4/39/643939/2/64667358.pMlXr5XG.jpg
Cardinals entry tunnel

Special thanks to Rick D. For the pics.

This is what they should put on the Endzone, banner made by PANTONE194C
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y207/SSURORG/NFL/Logos/ArizonaCardinals_PropSL01_2005-9999.gif

are they going to normally put up temp stands of various size since the season is sold out? I think that happened in Pittsburgh. Seems like it just needs more or aa permanent stand there. I bet it happens in the next 5 years. Beautiful interior though. Very utilitarian, and lots of light. Great execution of the design.

are they going to normally put up temp stands of various size since the season is sold out?
No. There is a cut off date to notify the NFL about the temp seating.

Looks awesome

why are some of the seats grey?

thanks for the pics AzDad

Could anyone again explain to me why there are no seats (aside from this temporary stuff) behind one endzone?

Could anyone again explain to me why there are no seats (aside from this temporary stuff) behind one endzone?

1. So they can get the pitch out of the stadium easily
2. Enables expansion

1. So they can get the pitch out of the stadium easily
2. Enables expansion

Schalke has a retractable pitch as well and it's able to move it outside w/o any big problems. It just looks like the Cardinals ran out of money or something.

I love it.....but I hate what they did with both endzone, although I understand the need to take out the grass, they should of done some sort of entertainment venue, or Press boxes or something above it, even the score boards and jumbo trons they put on are small and don't hide those ugly giant doors.

I love it.....but I hate what they did with both endzone, although I understand the need to take out the grass, they should of done some sort of entertainment venue, or Press boxes or something above it, even the score boards and jumbo trons they put on are small and don't hide those ugly giant doors.

You're right. They may do it before the Superbowl.

why are some of the seats grey?
The gray seats reflects the 21 vertical slots in the stadium

Schalke has a retractable pitch as well and it's able to move it outside w/o any big problems. It just looks like the Cardinals ran out of money or something.
No the Cardinals didn't run out of money. The pitch is sitting on a motorized wheels.

nice stadium

Let's look at the open end(genious) vs a 2-3 tier complete bowl like Veltins or say Emirates.

-The two European venues are nice as is Cardinals Stadium.
-Cardinals Stadium has more sideline seats. That = more revenue.
-Expansion is nearly impossible for the European venues. Cardinals Stadium can easily expand with its fan base or for bigger events. Other smaller NFL venues pretty much eliminate themselves from Super Bowl contention. That simply isn't so here. Not to mention the annual Fiesta Bowl. So this stadium certainly serves its niche with the open endzone design. Simple but effective.

Schalke has a retractable pitch as well and it's able to move it outside w/o any big problems. It just looks like the Cardinals ran out of money or something.

Veltins is stuck at its current capacity without digging down or removing the roof first.

can anybody tell me why some of the seats are grey?
The colour scheme looks weird that way.

can anybody tell me why some of the seats are grey?
The colour scheme looks weird that way.

In regards to the Gray seats, I'll address this ONE MORE TIME (!) so that we all get it once-and-for-all.

The roof pattern consists of an off-center mandala - a Native American symbol representing the sun. On the roof, it represents the sun with its rays extending from the center outward (to the 21 vertical slots in the exterior of the stadium). This pattern is duplicated in the seats as well. It's just a mirror image of the roof pattern.

Here are a couple of images I put together that should explain it:

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y207/SSURORG/NFL/Photos/CardinalsStadium/CardinalsStadium_RoofSeatPattern_01.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y207/SSURORG/NFL/Photos/CardinalsStadium/CardinalsStadium_RoofSeatPattern_02.jpg

Special thanks to PANTONE194C for the explanation.

In regards to the Gray seats, I'll address this ONE MORE TIME (!) so that we all get it once-and-for-all.

The roof pattern consists of an off-center mandala - a Native American symbol representing the sun. On the roof, it represents the sun with its rays extending from the center outward (to the 21 vertical slots in the exterior of the stadium). This pattern is duplicated in the seats as well. It's just a mirror image of the roof pattern.


allright.
thanks for that.

The outside looks smashing, I really like it.

The inside though doesn't look as well as I'd expected. I think especially the open end (yes, back to that) and the structure there behind the banner and scoreboard looks like something out of a warehouse.

And I really don't like how the solution with leaving one end open like they have, has turned out. Looks unfinished, at Kampflamm also points out. I'm sure they could ahve thought of some other way to allow easy expension, than that half-arsed solution, although they're probably happy with it. Many American stadiums employ open ends, that to European, or me at least, looks severely out of place.

Yes.
I also think that theres a bit too much space behind the endzone and the outer wall of the stadium.

It only looks unfinished because of what you're used to. No different than Americans thinking European streets and cars are small. The only other expansion solution would be something like Tampa has where there's a complete lower bowl with a plaza behind the endzone seating. I imagine that wasn't employed here because of the size difference between the Fiesta Bowl and Cardinals capacity demands. When the stadium is expanded permanently, no one will say a thing, because both ends will look identical. The distance is likely exactly the same as it is in the other endzone. It really is no big deal, just an example of variety and practicality. There are simply different needs here.

Please tell me how Emirates will be expanded for larger events? Answer, it won't, they'll just go to Wembley.

It only looks unfinished because of what you're used to. No different than Americans thinking European streets and cars are small. The only other expansion solution would be something like Tampa has where there's a complete lower bowl with a plaza behind the endzone seating. I imagine that wasn't employed here because of the size difference between the Fiesta Bowl and Cardinals capacity demands. When the stadium is expanded permanently, no one will say a thing, because both ends will look identical. The distance is likely exactly the same as it is in the other endzone. It really is no big deal, just an example of variety and practicality. There are simply different needs here.

Please tell me how Emirates will be expanded for larger events? Answer, it won't, they'll just go to Wembley.

There might be a lot of practical reasons for why the stadium interior ended up like it did, and I'm sure they're very valid. They doesn't, however, change the fact that in my opinion, it looks completely daft.

There is a such a thing as ignoring aesthetics while trying to be practical, and that looks to be the case here.

It's not only the end through which the pitch is supposed to go I don't like, it's also the whole framework or structure behind the other end. I've come to like how some Americans stadiums cut away one or both ends almost, leaving a horseshoe shape or two grandstands, but the framework behind these ends looks, as I said, like something out of an ordinary warehouse.

And by the way, are they sure to expand permanently?

And by the way, are they sure to expand permanently?

To fully understand this stadium is to understand the comedy of errors called The Arizona Cardinals. The stadium is built this way because Arizona has the smallest average attendence in the league due to almost 100 years of sucking hind tit. Before their move to Phoenix in, i beleive 1990, they sucked in St. Louis and Chicago before that. They have had one, ONE, winning season in their entire tenure in the Valley of the Sun (Phoenix) and have played all of their home games in a college stadium. Furthermore, Phoenix is a transient-populated town. There is very little loyalty to the home team, moreso, the Dallas Cowboys, Denver Broncos, Green Bay Packers, and the Chicago Bears. Combine that with losing season after losing season, and you just have a disaster of a franchise.

HOWEVER, things are looking bright for Arizona. First, they got a beautiful new stadium, one of the best offenses in the league, a Hollywood-type marketable first round draft pick in Matt Leinart, a young defense, a good coach, and 100,000 new fans a year pouring into the area.

This stadium is basically the first baby-step to establishing some pride for the Cardinals. The capacity is fairly small for the top professional league in the world, HOWEVER, if the team continues to get better, we will see more permanent step being made to the stadium in order to increase capacity. Because the sidelines are more important for viewers, they take precidence over the endzone seats. When it is time for expansion, those will be where the seats go.

This is the first year in many many many seasons (and the 1st in Phoenix) that the Cards have sold out every game for the season. Supply and demand will determine expansion. If you expand slowly, you keep aggresively driving that desire for tickets. People in Phoenix are going crazy trying to find tickets for these games, for a team that has finished with an above .500 record once in the past 20 years. Keep in mind that sell-outs also determine TV viewership and revenue. This will be the first year I've lived in PHX (7 years) that i will be able to watch a home game.

What is basically happening to the Arizona Cardinals is kinda like what is happening to Reading in the EPL. Could you imagine Reading debuting with a 70,000 seat venue?

I like the stadium so far, but eventually, i would like to see the empty end filled in with a lower level bowl.

To fully understand this stadium is to understand the comedy of errors called The Arizona Cardinals. The stadium is built this way because Arizona has the smallest average attendence in the league due to almost 100 years of sucking hind tit.

Really? What does that has to do with how the stadium was built?


Before their move to Phoenix in, i beleive 1990, they sucked in St. Louis and Chicago before that. They have had one, ONE, winning season in their entire tenure in the Valley of the Sun (Phoenix) and have played all of their home games in a college stadium.[/QUOTE]
Before they got to Arizona the Cardinals won a World Championship before they called it the SuperBowl. I think you need to do more homework before you bashed the Cardinals because before they moved to Phoenix they were a winning team in the 70's with Hart,Metcalf and other players from the 70's.

cool. :cheers:

[B]

Really? What does that has to do with how the stadium was built?


Before they got to Arizona the Cardinals won a World Championship before they called it the SuperBowl. I think you need to do more homework before you bashed the Cardinals because before they moved to Phoenix they were a winning team in the 70's with Hart,Metcalf and other players from the 70's.

yeah, i know about their so-called World Championships ... its just that it is not even worth noting ... the last one came in 1947! That was 60 years ago and there were only 9 other teams in the league! They haven't done a damn thing since. Heck, they hadn't even moved from Chicago to St. Louis yet, and the Phoenix move was still 43 years away! Sure, they won a couple of meaningless divisional titles ... a whopping TWO in the 70s while in St Louis but certainly nothing worth shouting about since then.

Don't get sensitive because I'm extolling some valid information about the cardinals. I'm definately a Cardinals supporter. You can't deny that their history played a major role in the design of this stadium, particularly with capacity.

Quoting 60 year old championships is really nothing to be proud of, especially two cities removed.

yeah, i know about their so-called World Championships ... its just that it is not even worth noting ... the last one came in 1947! That was 60 years ago and there were only 9 other teams in the league! They haven't done a damn thing since. Heck, they hadn't even moved from Chicago to St. Louis yet, and the Phoenix move was still 43 years away! Sure, they won a couple of meaningless divisional titles ... a whopping TWO in the 70s while in St Louis but certainly nothing worth shouting about since then.

Don't get sensitive because I'm extolling some valid information about the cardinals. I'm definately a Cardinals supporter. You can't deny that their history played a major role in the design of this stadium, particularly with capacity.

Quoting 60 year old championships is really nothing to be proud of, especially two cities removed.

Hey you opened up that they haven't done squat since they were in Chicago and St. Loius. I was just pointing it out that they accomplish something even though it was a million years ago. Don't get me wrong, I don't like the old man (Bill Bidwill) cause of his incompetence like taking a hand shake deal to get a new stadium if he move his franchise to AZ and so on. I don't get where the capacity issue is coming from though. The Colts new stadium capacity is close to the new Cardinals stadium and the Colts has been winning since they drafted Manning.

Hey you opened up that they haven't done squat since they were in Chicago and St. Loius.

exactly. what is wrong about my statement? They haven't done anything SINCE then, and mostly before then also.

I don't get where the capacity issue is coming from though.

The capacity issue comes from the fact that PHX is the country's 5th largest city, it being one of the fastest growing cities in the US, and it STILL being the 3rd smallest stadium in the NFL and the smallest stadium built for the NFL since 1957. The Cardinals essentially downgraded capacity from 73,500 to 63,500. The decrease of 10K seats is generally a result of crappy attendance spawned by crappy play over decades.

The Colts new stadium capacity is close to the new Cardinals stadium and the Colts has been winning since they drafted Manning.

Indy's stadium is the correct size for the size of that city, and attendence is heavily influenced by NCAA basketball configuration. I won't deny that AZ's isn't as well, but Indy is home to the NCAA basketball offices ... and that is to say that basketball RUNS that town.

http://www.azcentral.com/sports/cardinals/stadium/pics/stadiumcov.jpg
Night shot of the stadium

Veltins is stuck at its current capacity without digging down or removing the roof first.

Ehm...so? And if we had left one side of the stadium unfinished we wouldn't be stuck at out current capacity. But that wouldn't have made much sense, now would it?

This entire expansion argument is non-sense IMO. Next time around they can just build half a bowl that'll seat 70,000 and then say "hey, if there's more demand we can always finish the stadium and have a 140,000 seater." Build a good stadium which you know will be sold out most of the time instead of this half-hearted attempt.


It only looks unfinished because of what you're used to.

What exactly do you mean by that? Reliant doesn't have a gap like that and neither do most other NFL stadia.

What exactly do you mean by that? Reliant doesn't have a gap like that and neither do most other NFL stadia.

reliant is also used for Rodeo. Maybe thats the reason.
However I know what you mean.
there are plenty of other modern stadiums that have stands behind the end-zones.
I think in this case it was just cheaper to leave the stands away alltogether because I guess its more expensive to install the mechanism that allows the pitch to slide through under a big stand.

This entire expansion argument is non-sense IMO. Next time around they can just build half a bowl that'll seat 70,000 and then say "hey, if there's more demand we can always finish the stadium and have a 140,000 seater." Build a good stadium which you know will be sold out most of the time instead of this half-hearted attempt.


reliant is also used for Rodeo. Maybe thats the reason.
However I know what you mean.
there are plenty of other modern stadiums that have stands behind the end-zones.
I think in this case it was just cheaper to leave the stands away alltogether because I guess its more expensive to install the mechanism that allows the pitch to slide through under a big stand.

Do you guys even READ the posts in this thread? I just explained all about the rationale behind the current arrangement and the option to expand pertaining to the Arizona Cardinals. Its only a few posts up. Jeez.

Do you guys even READ the posts in this thread? I just explained all about the rationale behind the current arrangement and the option to expand pertaining to the Arizona Cardinals. Its only a few posts up. Jeez.

Of course I get it, it still looks like crap though. What if they don't draw enough fans year in and year out? Then they're stuck with a stadium that looks only 3/4 finished. Get a decent 70,000 stadium, if you're not selling out games you can still close off the upper deck or something like that.

Ehm...so? And if we had left one side of the stadium unfinished we wouldn't be stuck at out current capacity. But that wouldn't have made much sense, now would it?

This entire expansion argument is non-sense IMO. Next time around they can just build half a bowl that'll seat 70,000 and then say "hey, if there's more demand we can always finish the stadium and have a 140,000 seater." Build a good stadium which you know will be sold out most of the time instead of this half-hearted attempt.




What exactly do you mean by that? Reliant doesn't have a gap like that and neither do most other NFL stadia.


key word: most. It is not unusual for American football stadiums to have an open end or two. You're better off building higher priced sideline seats than people waving signs to distract a kicker who actually doesn't look up until after the ball is kicked.

And yes, the expansion argument makes sense. This is not Germany, England or Italy. This is the United States we are talking about. This is the Phoenix market. Phoenix, Arizona. One of the fastest growing cities and metropolitan areas in the United States. An immature market by many standards, that is just coming into its own. When many of the last generation of NFL stadiums was coming of age, they were built without expansion or other forward thinking amenities. They required quick renovations, but were pretty much set as far as capacity goes. Texas Stadium, for example, was built as a complete bowl in a quickly emerging market. It has needed expansion for 15 years. Instead it will be torn down and has a replacement under-construction. You mention Reliant. Reliant is a different situation. The Houston football market is very much a known. They've had NFL football since the 70s in an appropriate stadium. Phoenix has not. Indianapolis has had football for a long time and isn't a rapidly growing area. The factors are known. Dallas-Fort Worth has had football for a long time, and IS a rapidly growing area with one of the larger fan followings. What is Dallas doing with its new stadium? Apparently(from the owners mouth) the stadium is being build to quickly expand to 100,000. This likely means few if any endzone seats. And that doesn't bother me one bit.

As I said, you're used to stadiums being designed for soccer and soccer fans in a stagnant population growth area, with consistent fan base ceilings. This is not the situation you're discussing right now.

Of course I get it, it still looks like crap though. What if they don't draw enough fans year in and year out? Then they're stuck with a stadium that looks only 3/4 finished. Get a decent 70,000 stadium, if you're not selling out games you can still close off the upper deck or something like that.

every single ticket for every game of the season has alread sold out according to the airzona republic

Of course I get it, it still looks like crap though.
They did not build it for you, Kampflamm. You do not have to like it. :yes:

Get a decent 70,000 stadium, if you're not selling out games you can still close off the upper deck or something like that.
Are you not familiar with the NFL's blackout policy? Lose your ignorance here. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blackout_%28broadcasting%29#NFL_blackout_policy) :yes:

They did not build it for you, Kampflamm. You do not have to like it. :yes:


No sh*t, but I'm still allowed to express my opinion.

Why can't Americans accept any form of criticism of their stadiums? According to the Americans on the site, all American stadiums look great and are just swell!! According to the yanks, not one American stadium looks poor or has any areas that could have been designed better!

That daft little tier at the end looks bollocks...regardless of the reasons, it looks crap!

Why do all europeans insist that all stadiums must be designed, constructed from a soccer point of view? The trend here in North America for football is for less seats in the endzones and more along the side lines and frankly I can think of no US football stadiums that look poor. From our point of view they all look great.

Phoenix way to go the stadium will be a huge success, and you should be proud of yourselves.

But Europeans can admit when part of a football (soccer) stadium could have been designed better, or when one doesn't look that great or part of it doesn't look that great - but according to Americans, every single American stadium is perfect in every respect!! Absolute bollocks!

The end tier at Arizona may be functional...but it simply looks stupid, just like the quads at Old Trafford (although functional) look stupid!

The first game was today ... preseason vs. the World Champions Pittsburgh Steelers. I'll post pics of the 63,000 sellout when they become available.

Here is an article about the stadium which further explains the configuration and the first day of its use for the dense Euros in the forum.

NFL.com (http://www.nfl.com/teams/story/ARI/9598536)

Fans feel at home at Cardinals Stadium Click here to find out more!
NFL.com wire reports
[
GLENDALE, Ariz. (Aug. 12, 2006) -- A strange sound erupted an hour before the Arizona Cardinals' first game in their new stadium.

The visiting team was booed as it took the field for pregame warm-ups.

This rarely occurred in the Cardinals' former home, Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, where visiting fans often outnumbered Cardinal faithful.

No longer. Cardinals Stadium is sold out for the 2006 season, and the $465 million retractable-domed palace was awash in red as the Cardinals kicked off their preseason opener against the defending Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh Steelers.

"This place is alive," said Greg Bloemke, a 43-year-old season-ticket holder from Chandler. "You can feel the excitement in this building."

That wasn't all Bloemke felt. As he walked in from the 100-degree temperatures in the parking lot, a blast of air conditioning made him shiver.

"The first impression was cold," he said.

This is another change from Sun Devil Stadium, where Cardinal fans baked in metal-backed bleachers. That's why ASU plays most of its early-season games at night. But the Cardinals were bound by television contracts to play in afternoon heat, which doesn't abate until almost midseason.

"It was just miserable," said Dave Stanton, a 39-year-old Scottsdale resident who had season tickets for 10 years in Tempe. "You almost dreaded going every Sunday."

Many fans didn't bother. But that changed today, when a full house turned out. Fans were dazzled by a state-of-the-art stadium that has been hailed as one of the top 10 sports facilities in the world by Business Week magazine. The silver structure, which rises from farmland in this suburb west of Phoenix, was designed by Peter Eisenman.

The facility also will host the Fiesta Bowl, and in January, will be the site of the first new Bowl Championship Series national title game. The stadium also has been awarded the 2008 Super Bowl.

Fans held up camera phones as they passed through the turnstiles. Many focused on the translucent roof, which allowed the desert sunlight to stream in.

"It's like we have a professional football team out here now," said Mike Cistolo, 42, a transplanted Steelers fan from Chandler.

Fans have bought in to the revival -- for now.

"This is nice. It will wear off if they don't play well," said Dave Stanton's mother, Marta, who wore a vintage Jake Plummer Cardinal jersey. "They've got to produce or else it'll drop off."

The optimism generated by the new stadium is unprecedented in the long and not particularly glorious history of the Cardinals, who were formed as a football club in 1898 and became an NFL charter member in 1920. The vagabond franchise left Chicago for St. Louis in 1960 and moved to the desert in 1988.

The Cardinals have enjoyed little success through the decades, but the club is celebrating its past now that it has its own home for the first time.

The new stadium features a ring of honor, with eight inductees. Five Pro Football Hall of Famers are included: longtime owner Charles W. Bidwill Sr., the father of owner Bill Bidwill; quarterback Charley Trippi; running back Ollie Matson; quarterback Jimmy Conzelman; and cornerback Dick "Night Train" Lane.

About the only thing missing was first-round pick Matt Leinart, who is sitting out because of a contract holdout.

His absence wasn't the only kink. There were thousands of empty seats at kickoff because of massive traffic on the nearby freeway.

"My first impression, to be quite frank with you, is they have to solve their traffic problems," said Tony Pietrcollo, 57, who flew in from Pittsburgh for the game. "Once they figure out the logistic problems, it's going to be a neat experience."

Pietrcollo has followed the Steelers to more than a dozen road games. Despite the traffic, he said he gladly would return to Cardinals Stadium.

"Definitely the most unique stadium I've seen," he said.

AP NEWS
The Associated Press News Service

Copyright 2006, The Associated Press, All Rights Reserved

Don't see any news in that article. Learn to accept someone else's opinion.

Don't see any news in that article. Learn to accept someone else's opinion.

Well, you are certainly welcome to share your opinion, even though your opinion is wrong.

Well, you are certainly welcome to share your opinion, even though your opinion is wrong.

Got anything to add to this discussion aside from dumb comments?

Right, i've posted:

1) A historical viewpoint of the Arizona Cardinals Football Club

2) An explination of the stadium configuration as it pertains to the Arizona Cardinals Football Clubs history

3) Pictures of mentioned stadium in compliance with the thread topic

4) Discussion of asthetics, functionality, and structural integrity as it pertains to the Arizona Cardinals Stadium

5) The promise of future and relevant pictures of Arizona Cardinals Stadium


Now try not you degenerate this thread into one of those countless Euro-snob pissing matches you all are so deft at.

If you can't control yourself, then just go away.

Listen, some of you Americans seem to think that the only reason why some Europeans on this forum dislike aspects of the stadium is...that they're European. So I suggest you stop trying to turn this into some kind of pissing-contest. I don't like the way one endzone looks, I think it could have been handled differently, end of story. No need to make assumptions about the reasons behind my views.

Pictures of new Arizona Cardinals Stadium debut: Saturday August 11, 2006

Fans are able to tailgate in the parking lots or on the Great Lawn right in front of the stadium

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v437/sunvevo/pic1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v437/sunvevo/pic14.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v437/sunvevo/pic4.jpg


Getting into the stadium today was a madhouse, so I heard:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v437/sunvevo/pic7.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v437/sunvevo/pic15.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v437/sunvevo/pic2.jpg

...But once inside, it's party time!!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v437/sunvevo/pic8.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v437/sunvevo/pic13.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v437/sunvevo/pic11.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v437/sunvevo/pic12.jpg

GAME TIME!!!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v437/sunvevo/pic17.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v437/sunvevo/pic19.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v437/sunvevo/pic10.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v437/sunvevo/pic9.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v437/sunvevo/pic6.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v437/sunvevo/pic5.jpg


CARDS WIN 21-13 :)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v437/sunvevo/pic18.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v437/sunvevo/pic3.jpg

I saw the game here in the Cards former home in Tempe. It's great for the oldest NFL franchise to find a home of their own. And we beat the Super Bowl Champs! Okay, it's preseason. But this Card fan doesn't care. What a way to open a new home!

I think everyone should just agree to disagree. Each and everyone of us has an opinion. Try as we might no two of them will be the same. Like I said before Phoenix should be proud of what they now have and almost any other team would be proud to have what they got.
Good for you Phoenix!

But Europeans can admit when part of a football (soccer) stadium could have been designed better, or when one doesn't look that great or part of it doesn't look that great - but according to Americans, every single American stadium is perfect in every respect!! Absolute bollocks!

The end tier at Arizona may be functional...but it simply looks stupid, just like the quads at Old Trafford (although functional) look stupid!

ye haven't been here very long, have you?

I've not read much contention about the aesthetic of it. My contentions are:

- Its functional plain and simple. I always side with function over form when function is a bigger concern than just being totally pretty. This stadium simply has the need for quick capacity change.

- The omition of eats there is simply being overblown here as it is commonplace in American football to not have or have very little endzone seating in at least one of the ends. It is an opinion thing, though opinions are influenced by what one is used to seeing.

In conclusion, its functional and not a big deal. To try and say Americans don't criticize their own is ridiculous. You should hear the constant panning of venues by our media. I hate the outside of this stadium. I just happen to like its function and interior. I have my favorites, just like you do that can do no wrong. I also have my Ameriquest Field's and Altel Stadiums that I think are the bane of stadium existence.

key word: most. It is not unusual for American football stadiums to have an open end or two. You're better off building higher priced sideline seats than people waving signs to distract a kicker who actually doesn't look up until after the ball is kicked.


so why do they even bother to put a stand at the other end at all??
I know that this stand is smaller but Im sure that there are enough willing people who would buy a ticket for that.
If sideline seats are so much better why do they even built end-zone seats?
Why not just develop the sidelines?
Is it a question of aesthetics?
If its a question of aestethics well then they should develop that other end-zone stand aswell.

so why do they even bother to put a stand at the other end at all??
I know that this stand is smaller but Im sure that there are enough willing people who would buy a ticket for that.
If sideline seats are so much better why do they even built end-zone seats?
Why not just develop the sidelines?
Is it a question of aesthetics?
If its a question of aestethics well then they should develop that other end-zone stand aswell.


hopeless.

[QUOTE=40Acres]Pictures of new Arizona Cardinals Stadium debut: Saturday August 11, 2006

Fans are able to tailgate in the parking lots or on the Great Lawn right in front of the stadium


GAME TIME!!!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v437/sunvevo/pic17.jpg



CARDS WIN 21-13 :)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v437/sunvevo/pic18.jpg


That will be one awesome stadium

hopeless.


why?
I have a point here.

Either you dont bother to put up end-zone stands at all and just develop the sidelines or you do it properly and atleast put something in the end-sone.

That will be one awesome stadium

Yes indeed but WHY THE HELL DID YOU HAVE TO INCLUDE ALL THE PICS IN THAT QUOTE?!

The Stadium does appear to be nice, but it is going to take a lot more than a stadium to fix that franchise! I don't even think the Edge can help! For those wanting to go to the new stadium but can't get tickets...wait till next season when they are back to averaging 40,000 per game!

It's not as bad as I thought it would be (still don't like the outside of it) when I first saw the desing. Looks much better then that NCAA stadium they played in, for sure.

I see the Cardinals going 10-6 this season, BTW.

Yes indeed but WHY THE HELL DID YOU HAVE TO INCLUDE ALL THE PICS IN THAT QUOTE?!


well we don't get everything we want in the world. I was trying to emphasise the fact the stadium looked good WITH all the people.

I like it

Nice stadium.

It'd be better if it was closer to the city.

Why is it some people on here feel the need to copy a whole phucking message, including every damn picture in it as part of their reply in the thread? Surely they can say what they need to without every other reader needeing to see umpteen amount of already posted pictures over and over again. :bash:

I'm not specifically having a go at Rexfan2 here. There are a few others who have done this a number of times as well. Sure, I have ADSL access with my internet but there would be others here still using dial-up and all this does is severly increase loading time for the page. The reply itself would be enough to get the point across without the doubled up pictures.

Why is it some people on here feel the need to copy a whole phucking message, including every damn picture in it as part of their reply in the thread?

Because you touch yourself at night

Intelligent response there 40Acres. Did that statement actually follow a thought process?

Intelligent response there 40Acres. Did that statement actually follow a thought process?

Sorry, i should have pissed and moaned in a whiny tone more like your post above.

Get over it.

Failure to answer a simple question with nothing more than personal attacks. And you wonder why I questioned your intelligence.

Failure to answer a simple question with nothing more than personal attacks. And you wonder why I questioned your intelligence.

http://www.robynsnest.com/images/babycry.jpg

Contribute something or go away. Thats the way things work here.

Truth hurt? Usually does.

However, I do agree with most on here, the new Arizona Cardinals Stadium is probably a fantasitc facility (having never seen it in person I can only make a judgement based on what I've read and what I've seen in pictures). There are some stadiums in this world that could learn from Arizona's example. Telstra Dome in Melbourne comes to mind there.....

You're both pricks.

Well, I'm man enough to admit I can be a prick. Nicely pointed out EDBTZ.

You're both pricks.

nice contribution, douche.


More pics:

http://www.azcentral.com/sports/cardinals/stadium/pics/stadiumcov.jpg

http://www.azcentral.com/sports/cardinals/stadium/pics/photorefresh/rotate.php

Possible name?! HAHA. Harry Morton, founder of Morton's Steakhouse, Hard Rock Cafe/Hotel, and the newest venture the Pink Taco, are willing to throw down $30 for naming rights! Kickasss! Morton is currently dating Lindsey Lohan, who is in a famous tiff with first round draft pick and back up QB Matt Leinert's former piece, Paris Hilton.

Its like the E! Network in Phoenix!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v437/sunvevo/pink.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v437/sunvevo/pink.jpg

Burn that logo!

latest pics by me

http://i5.tinypic.com/4biw9x4.jpg

http://i3.tinypic.com/4cugfwn.jpg

http://i3.tinypic.com/2j4ptld.jpg

http://i6.tinypic.com/2w36m14.jpg

http://i2.tinypic.com/47l8msz.jpg

http://i8.tinypic.com/491m0r8.jpg

http://i3.tinypic.com/43ynwqq.jpg

http://i1.tinypic.com/33p7xb4.jpg

http://i6.tinypic.com/2hoflhw.jpg

http://i1.tinypic.com/2ptp1si.jpg

cool pics

From ESPN.com http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2623247

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- The Arizona Sports and Tourism Authority approved the Arizona Cardinals' $154.5 million naming-rights deal with the University of Phoenix on Thursday.

Under terms of the 20-year deal, the $455 million stadium west of Phoenix will be called "University of Phoenix Stadium."

The for-profit university has 323,000 students, most of them working adults in their 30s, at campuses in 39 states and through online programs. Its parent company, Apollo Group Inc., had $2.3 billion in revenue last year, ranking it among Arizona's largest companies.

The Cardinals have naming rights to the stadium as part of the deal approved by voters to build the long-sought home for the NFL franchise, which had played at Arizona State's Sun Devil Stadium since moving to Arizona in 1988.

The stadium will be the site of the Fiesta Bowl and the first of the new BCS national title games in January and the 2008 Super Bowl.






Still sounds better than Pink Taco

UofP stadium will host its first international friendly -- USA vs Mexico Feb 7th

I cannot WAIT to see what the configuration will look like!

http://ussoccer.com/articles/viewArticle.jsp_281559.html

waoo, cool stadium, i like it

http://i6.tinypic.com/2hoflhw.jpg

Hahaha, cheerleaders are so stupid. Thank God they're not very popular in Australia. I wonder how many times they re-ate their lunch today.

But anyway, stadium looks good!

UofP stadium will host its first international friendly -- USA vs Mexico Feb 7th

I cannot WAIT to see what the configuration will look like!

http://ussoccer.com/articles/viewArticle.jsp_281559.html

That is going to be awesome!! Anyone here going to this game? It will sell out right?

Sam's Army will be there to battle the Green Cards.

awesome

U.S v. Mexico games are usually sellouts or at least draw huge crowds. Especially in border states like Cali and Texas.

http://i1.tinypic.com/33p7xb4.jpg
Am I the only one that hates stairs that are visible on the inside (see top tier)? :bash:

IMO it cheapens the look of this otherwise fantastic facility and I see the new Dallas stadium might be going the same way.

why does it cheapen things. Stairs are visible inside of every stadium in the world. These simply face different directions.

U.S v. Mexico games are usually sellouts or at least draw huge crowds. Especially in border states like Cali and Texas.


Did tickets go on sale for this game yet ?

Did tickets go on sale for this game yet ?

yep. just got mine.

why does it cheapen things. Stairs are visible inside of every stadium in the world. These simply face different directions.
It's an aesthetics thing for me.

...personally I'd prefer the stairs hidden as it makes the place more visually appealing.

any word on tix sales? Are they strong? Any local media pick up on this game yet?

sweet, they are emulating the "Smurf turf" on Boise St's end

http://i17.tinypic.com/2zeh3ec.jpg

sweet, they are emulating the "Smurf turf" on Boise St's end

http://i17.tinypic.com/2zeh3ec.jpg

That pic is photoshopped....

i can't be sure, but it sure does look like it. I don't know when that pic could have been taken if it was taken at all.