A Guide to Phoenix’s Biggest Sports Weekend So Far

The Big Game 🤝 The Greatest Show on Grass

On the same weekend in February, two popular sporting events are making their way to Phoenix, Arizona. Football’s most significant game will be played in The Valley this year on Sunday, February 12. Occurring at the same time is the annual Waste Management Phoenix Open, a professional golf tournament on the PGA Tour. The golf tournament begins with practice rounds on Monday, February 6, and Tuesday, February 7, and the tournament officially begins on Thursday, February 10. Sports fans around the country are preparing to flock to the Phoenix area for a weekend of golf and football. 

The 57th annual football game will be played in Glendale, Arizona, at State Farm Stadium, home of the Arizona Cardinals. The big game rotates locations annually, though due to weather constraints, it is most often played in the southern most states. Unless a dome or retractable roof completely covers the field, the National Football League prefers the temperature to be above 50°F, desirable for both fans and players. Arizona’s comfortable winter climate makes it a favorable destination for the February football game. This marks the State of Arizona’s fourth time hosting the sporting event since 1996. Rihanna will be performing during the legendary halftime show, and we at ParkMobile are rooting for her comeback.

The Phoenix Open is played annually at TPC Scottsdale and is sponsored by Waste Management, the leading provider of comprehensive waste management services in North America. Waste Management prides themselves on being sustainable and providing a greener environment. The golf tournament is known as the “Greatest Show on Grass” and the “Greenest Show on Grass” as the largest zero waste sporting event in the world. The tournament is the PGA’s most attended event, welcoming over 500,000 spectators each year. The Phoenix Open has a different feel than other PGA Tour events as fans are allowed to loudly cheer on their favorite golfers, rather than quietly clapping. The 16th hole, specifically, has been dubbed the loudest hole in golf.

If you’re heading to Phoenix for the weekend of sports, check out the following music events to bring the party to your football and golf experiences. 

Official Football Fan Festivities in Downtown Phoenix

Margaret T. Hance Park, named after the city’s first female mayor, will host the official fan activities from February 9-12. The 32-acre public park is located in the center of Downtown Phoenix. The outdoor festival will be free to the public and offer live music, entertainment, local food trucks and multicultural events. The rock band, Jimmy Eat World, will perform on Thursday, February 9, and country music singer, Lee Brice, will perform on Friday, February 10. Hance Park will also host the official big game watch party on Sunday, February 12. 

Music Fest at Footprint Center

The three-night concert series will be hosted at Footprint Center, the city’s downtown arena and home of the Phoenix Suns. The festival begins with Paramore on Thursday, February 9, followed by Dave Matthews Band on Friday, February 10. The event will close with Imagine Dragons and Kane Brown on Saturday, February 11. Tickets are now available. To purchase, see here.

Concert in the Coliseum

Before all the football and golf festivities begin, kickoff the week with the second annual Concert in the Coliseum on Saturday, February 4. Hosted on the iconic 16th hole of TPC Scottsdale, this year’s event will feature musical guests Maroon 5 and Walker Hayes. The event is for guests 21 and over. To get tickets, see here. 

Our Favorite Things to Do, See, and Eat in the Phoenix Area

With a prime location in the mountainous desert, Phoenix is home to dozens of hiking trails. Some of the most popular ones include Camelback Mountain, Pinnacle Peak, Papago Park, and Tom’s Thumb Trail. Difficulty levels range from light to difficult, allowing for options for all hiking levels. When visiting The Valley, we highly recommend partaking in all the beauty that the city has to offer via a hike or nature walk. Don’t forget to wear sunscreen as the sun is strong in the area, regardless of the time of year.

When not exploring the cactus-lined trails of the Phoenix area, there are other ways to get a taste of the local terrain, wildlife, and history. The Desert Botanical Garden is an 140-acre museum of over 50,000 desert plants. With a focus on the Sonoran Desert, The Garden is a learning resource for cactus, agave, and desert plants. Explore the land on your own time or attend one of their events. 

The Phoenix Zoo, also known as the Arizona Center for Nature Conservation, is the largest privately owned, nonprofit zoo in the United States. The zoo is the perfect family activity situated in the Papago Park area on 125 acres of land. Home to over 3,000 animals made up of 400 species, The Phoenix Zoo also cares for threatened and endangered species. 

Phoenix consists of numerous popular areas, each with their own unique offerings. Explore Scottsdale’s dozens of luxury resorts and attractions, including Old Town Scottsdale, one of the best areas in the city for shopping and dining. There, you can find Scottsdale Fashion Square and Scottsdale Waterfront. From wine vineyards to biking trails, golf courses and adventure tours, Scottsdale is a must visit destination while in Phoenix. 

For the architecture buffs, we recommend taking a little drive to visit Taliesin West, Frank Lloyd Wright’s winter home and “desert laboratory.” A UNESCO World Heritage site, the landmark sits outside of Scottsdale, Arizona, with Lloyd Wright’s famous jagged edges and breathtaking panoramic views. Stop by before you leave town. For more information and ticket sales, see here.

Sitting so close to Mexico, Phoenix is famous for serving delicious Mexican food. Dishing out a combination of Tex-Mex, Southwest, and Sonoran cuisine, Phoenix is a melting pot of Mexican-style cooking. Popular dishes include chimichangas, shredded beef tacos, and the Sonoran Dog, a bacon wrapped hot dog served with pinto beans, onions, salsa, and jalapeños. Phoenix is also recognized for having some of the best pizza in the country at popular spot, Pizzeria Bianco. We recommend trying the Rosa Pizza topped with red onion, parmesan cheese, rosemary, and Arizona pistachios. 

Parking in Arizona

If you’re heading to Phoenix for the weekend of sports, entertainment, and all that the city has to offer, make sure you bring the ParkMobile app with you. With parking spots around the region, ParkMobile will help ensure that you have a seamless parking experience and make the most of your time in Arizona. Find some of our Arizona spots here.