Photos by Michael Davis, Stadium Journey
Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29
Arizona Stadium 540 N Vine Ave Tucson, AZ 85721
Year Opened: 1929 Capacity: 50,782
Bear Down for Arizona Football
Arizona Stadium, the home of Arizona Football, was originally built in 1928 but has been revamped and modernized through recent renovations. The 50,782-seat facility is a historic site on the campus of the University of Arizona in Tucson, Arizona. The stadium combines old-style charm and modern conveniences due to renovations in excess of $100 million between the 2013 addition of the Lowell-Stevens Football Facility and the 2018 renovation of the east side; the building of the new football facility in the north end zone enclosed the stadium’s seating.
The facility now offers suites, improved concessions options, and comfortable seating, but the west side is also about to experience a major renovation with a cost estimated between $120 and $150 million; as of now the west side has only received some minor enhancements like more points of sale for concessions plus more TVs and restroom trailers – basic commodities fans have been wanting for years. Other renovations prior to 2013 included a new artificial surface with the ghost-lettered phrase “Bear Down” running in-between the hashes and over the large Arizona logo.
Arizona Stadium has played host to the Arizona Bowl since 2015. Since its inception, that game has been played between teams representing the Mountain West Conference and the Sun Belt Conference. However, the inaugural game was played between the Nevada Wolf Pack and the Colorado State Rams, both Mountain West Conference teams, as the Sun Belt Conference did not field enough bowl-eligible teams that season.
For movie lovers, the stadium’s parking lot, located on the northeast end of the facility, was one of several filming locations for the 20th Century Fox comedy Revenge of the Nerds; the film’s Adams College Greek Games sequence was shot in the space on Cherry Avenue between East 4th Street and East University Boulevard.
Food & Beverage 3
Arizona Stadium covers all the traditional stadium fare; the highest cost regular food item is the Polish sausage at $6 with nachos $5, while Hebrew National hot dogs, popcorn, peanuts, and soft pretzels cost $4. Coca-Cola products range anywhere from $3 to $7. Some of the other items available are a little more on the pricey side, such as cheesy Philly cheesesteaks, Italian Jobs (a ciabatta sandwich made with Italian salami, ham, Italian mozzarella, pesto, and olive oil), peppered turkey, beefy BBQ nachos, and chicken tenders all at $10.
On the west side of the stadium is the Roadrunner mobile kitchen (food truck) that serves crafty burgers and hot dogs for prices between $5 and $8; there are also a couple of money saving combos for families such as the family combo for $32 including 2 hot dogs, 2 orders of nachos, 1 box of popcorn, and a small packaged candy.
In an effort by the University of Arizona to enhance the game day experience, beer and wine are now available to all fans of drinking age. The beer selection is Bud Light, Coors Light, Miller Light, Corona, Modelo Especial, and Barrio Blond, with prices ranging from $7 for a 16oz draft to $10 for a 24oz premium. The wine selection covers all types at $8 for a 6½oz cup; beer and wine are all sold in plastic cups with sales stopping before the end of the third quarter.
The east concession stands are the newest in the stadium and provide tables and TVs for fans to use when they eat their food. And while the alcohol sales may have enhanced game day for fans, the food items are just on par, meeting typical expectations for a major college football stadium.
Atmosphere 3
Across the country the college football atmosphere begins long before the actual kickoff, and the University of Arizona begins the night before a home game with something titled Bear Down Fridays, which is a traditional pep rally including the band and the spirit squads. Then, six hours before kickoff on game day, fans begin tailgating along “The Mall” at U of A, which is the long grassy area in the middle of campus along 3rd Street. Tailgating requires advanced purchase of a season or game-specific tailgate pass, and in the event of inclement weather it is possible that tailgating could be canceled. There are other tailgaters in the various parking lots next to the stadium and around McKale Center. Overall, the tailgating scene here is very mild compared to other schools that create a larger-than-life tailgating scene, such as at LSU before a night game in Tiger Stadium.
For fans that aren’t into the tailgating scene on the mall they can visit the Jim Click Hall of Champions, which houses Arizona’s achievements in all sports. In addition, four hours prior to kickoff the Coca-Cola Fan Fiesta opens inside the Arizona Football practice facility, the Cole and Jeannie Davis Sports Center. The fan fiesta offers fans a chance to eat and watch other games before the gates open.
The next main event would be the Wildcat Walk – two hours prior to the game the Pride of Arizona, the spirit squads, and fans greet the Arizona football team. This takes place on the north side of Arizona Stadium at the corner of University and Cherry Ave. The team walks toward the stadium and the players touch the John Button Salmon statue, which is located just outside the stadium on Cherry Ave, before the team enters the stadium through the north end zone, coming straight out of their new locker room onto the field.
Arizona and Salmon are tied together forever with Arizona’s slogan and fight song; Salmon was a former Arizona quarterback, catcher on the baseball team, and student body president, but after the first game of the 1926 season he suffered a severe spinal cord injury in a car accident. During coach Pop McKale’s last visit to the hospital before Salmon died, the quarterback gave his coach this message: “Tell them, tell the team to Bear Down” – Bear Down became the official fight song in 1952 and is played after every Wildcat score.
The Pride of Arizona Marching Band’s pregame performance starts about 20 minutes before kickoff, after which the band forms a tunnel in anticipation of the Arizona team’s entrance into Arizona Stadium, after which the visiting team enters through the northwest corner of the stadium. Wilbur and Wilma the Wildcats are U of A’s mascots, and are seen throughout the game, and the Pride of Arizona marching band sits in the southeast corner to add to the atmosphere. There are also fireworks every time the Wildcats score, as well as performances by the Arizona Pom Squad during the game.
The atmosphere is always better when the stadium is filled, and this hurts the atmosphere at Arizona Stadium. Overall, the atmosphere is enjoyable and fun; get there early and experience the entire game day schedule that is available when you attend an Arizona football game. The atmosphere might be disappointing to those fans that have visited SEC schools, but then again for some, this smaller version may be just the right atmosphere.
Neighborhood 4
The University of Arizona is in Tucson a couple of miles from the downtown area; Arizona Stadium is located on southeastern corner of the campus. The school is a public research university and was the first university in the Arizona Territory, with a current enrollment of 45,217. Tucson is the second most-populated city in Arizona and the 33rd largest in the US.
Tucson is more than a typical college town, but the neighborhood around the campus implies otherwise. There are plenty of restaurants, bars, and shops on University Blvd and 4th Avenue that you can enjoy before and after the game. Before the game, the Maingate area on University Blvd would be the better choice, at either Gentle Bens or No Anchovies, both near U of A’s Old Main Building and tailgating scene on the mall. For a place on the east side of campus off Speedway try Dirtbags, or the after party area would be on 4th Avenue at The Drunken Chicken, Bison Witches Bar, or Ermanos Craft Beer and Wine Bar. For fans who are looking more for local craft breweries, the Public Brewhouse is a block from 4th Avenue, behind Ermanos on N Hoff Avenue. Another craft beer find is the Crooked Tooth Brewing Company on 6th Street, just a few blocks from 4th Avenue. The only downside is that these establishments are near the campus, but not very close to Arizona Stadium.
Tucson has plenty of hotels for travelers, however, the closest to the stadium is Aloft Tucson-University, on the east side of campus at the corner of Campbell and Speedway. Or, Tucson Marriott University Park is in Maingate Square on the west side of campus; both these hotels are within walking distance of Arizona Stadium. For those that would like a resort vacation with their Tucson journey, I would suggest the El Conquistador Tucson-Hilton in Oro Valley on the side of Mt. Kimball and down the road from Catalina State Park.
Fans 3
The Arizona fan base in the last five years has averaged around 48,000 a game, which translates to 86% of Arizona Stadium’s capacity. The average attendance does rank in the Top 50 for FBS schools, but the school lacks a strong football base, and is more nationally known for their men’s basketball and women’s softball programs. This season (2019) Arizona is averaging their lowest home attendance since 1975 at 38,777 per game, despite strong efforts from the university to create a better game day atmosphere. There is plenty of tailgating by the fans, but compared to the top-tier football programs there is a lack of atmosphere/excitement that other schools have just a few hours from kickoff.
During the game the fans are routine – they are vocal when expected, but nothing as deafening as their PAC-12 counterparts at Washington or Oregon. The Arizona fan base is dedicated and loyal but small in numbers. I’m not sure what excuse the city of Tucson is using for not being present inside Arizona Stadium; as a matter of Fact, UA athletic director Dave Heeke recently tweeted to the Arizona fans: “It’s time to fill up Arizona Stadium (next Saturday when Washington comes to Tucson). No excuses! Come on Wildcat Fans!”
Access 4
Arizona Stadium is located on the southeast corner of campus near the intersection of 6th Street and Cherry Street; Cherry Street is on the east side while 6th runs along the south side of the stadium. There are many parking garages on campus that charge varying rates ($10-$20) depending on the proximity to the stadium. All parking garages can be paid for using either cash or credit cards, while the surface lots are cash only, and cost $10 to $15. Most of the surface lots are restricted to Wildcat Club members, campus permits, or other specific passes. There is possibility of free parking, however, near Arizona Stadium for those early arrivals, or for carpoolers with four or more riders in the Tyndall Ave., Main Gate, Park Ave., and Highland garages.
For an alternative means of transportation to the stadium, Tucson’s Sun Link Streetcar is an easy and economical way to reach campus. A one-day pass costs $4 and connects Mercado San Agustin (Tucson’s public marketplace), downtown Tucson, historic 4th avenue, and Main Gate Square to the University of Arizona. Although, the closest drop to Arizona Stadium is a few blocks away at Rita Hillenbrand Memorial Stadium (UA’s softball field) on 2nd Street/Cherry.
All Arizona Wildcat events support the Clear Bag Policy that has been implemented across the country, and the gates open to the general public an hour and half before the scheduled kickoff time. The mixture of the stadium’s old and new concourse varies on handling the crowds, but overall walking around the stadium is easy. For fans that have lower level seating, a quick trip to the upper deck for a view of Tucson and mountains is well worth the time.
However, most games at Arizona Stadium are played at night, and the temperatures during football season drop considerably at night, so it can get very cold sitting in the upper level of the stadium – add the desert wind and it could get uncomfortable, so be prepared. Nevertheless, overall the access is better than expected for a relatively old stadium during a college football game.
Return on Investment 3
Arizona football individual game tickets have a wide variety of price levels. The levels range anywhere from $16 to $400 per ticket depending on the opponent and location. The non-conference schedule opponents have cheaper tickets, while the most expensive PAC-12 opponent ticket is the game versus Washington. There are no really bad seats in Arizona Stadium, so a $16 to $55 range for the upper level along the sidelines, or a $23 to $47 lower level end zone are reasonable prices for NCAA PAC-12 football.
Keep in mind that the Arizona student section, a.k.a. Zonazoo, takes up the entire lower half on the east side of the stadium behind the Arizona bench, which prevents the general public from buying tickets in these areas. For fans searching for tickets on the visitor side, the visitor section is section 17, which is in the southwest corner of the stadium. The concessions, parking, and ticket prices all contribute to the high average return on investment for Arizona football.
Extras 3
Arizona Stadium is nearly a 100-year-old landmark on the campus of the University of Arizona, and the views of the mountains and downtown Tucson from the upper deck seating is breathtaking. Attending a game at this historic venue is a history lesson in past architecture and society. The structure still incorporates the original construction of the stadium in the west side seating, with the first 30 rows of the stadium, and the south end zone concourse are from a time when it was okay to have small access ways and tight passageways when going to the restrooms or concessions.
The University of Arizona football program isn’t royalty among the college football scene, as are a few of their PAC-12 counterparts like the University of Washington, the University of Southern California, or the University of Oregon. The football team also has yet to play in the PAC-12’s most iconic postseason bowl, “The Granddaddy of them All,” a.k.a. the Rose Bowl. However, the Wildcats do have some football greats in their ring of honor; Teddy Bruschi, Antoine Cason, Chuck Cecil, Lance Briggs, and Chris McAlister. The Arizona program has also participated in 21 postseason bowl games and has claimed a share of at least six conference titles.
Arizona Stadium’s old and new presence creates a special feeling in being able to link the past to the present, from the players to the bowl games, to the years that the Wildcats won the Territorial Cup versus their in-state rival Arizona State; this feeling is lacking in the strictly new renovated stadiums in some parts of the country. But after each Arizona football victory, at the University of Arizona Student Union Memorial Center, an 1,820-pound bell salvaged from the USS Arizona is rung.
Final Thoughts
Arizona Stadium combines the past with the present. The old-style charm from the past with an insert of modern conveniences, this historic site has had football played inside the stadium since it was built in 1928. There are always pro and cons, but keeping a historic venue in operation via upgrading and rebuilding is a good thing.
The university continues to reach out to football fans in and around Tucson to create an atmosphere inside Arizona Stadium that can rival others in the PAC-12 as well as around the nation. Tucson is a wonderful place to visit during football season – the weather is better than most, there are plenty of things to do, and Arizona Wildcats football is moving upwards both in terms of game day atmosphere and in performance on the field. To continue the Arizona rally cry, Bear Down and make a visit to Arizona Stadium, and be a part of Tucson’s college football experience.
Comments