Flag on the play: Fiesta Bowl to cause heavy traffic in Phoenix area on Saturday

PHOENIX — Football is all fun and games, but the Fiesta Bowl will cause major traffic delays in Glendale starting Saturday afternoon.

The Fiesta Bowl, which kicks off at 5 p.m. at the University of Phoenix Stadium, will make football fans swarm to the West Valley — which means traffic will begin to pile up there as well.

The Glendale Traffic Management Center said in a press release that heavy traffic is expected on both directions of the Loop 101 between Northern Avenue and Camelback Road.

Due to the pre-game activities, traffic could start piling up as early as 9 a.m., so plan ahead and avoid the area if you can. Parking in undesignated areas or on residential streets is prohibited and street access in local neighborhoods will be restricted to residents only.

The bowl game between the No. 2 Ohio State Buckeyes and No. 3 Clemson Tigers garnered a lot of support when it was announced in early December that they would play each other. In fact, tickets sold out completely in just three days.

🚗🛣

Clemson ➡️ Glendale = 1,981 miles

Grateful to all the #ClemsonFamily who made the trip. #ALLIN pic.twitter.com/fmB9Hkfc96

— Clemson Football (@ClemsonFB) December 30, 2016

Fiesta Bowl is expected to bring a lot of money to Glendale: City officials said they could see an economic impact in the “hundreds of millions of dollars,” said Kimberly Larson with the city of Glendale.

For fans looking to partake in the pre-game festivities, Westgate will be offering free parking between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. and again after 5:15 p.m., with $10 per vehicle between that period. Tanger Outlets will be offering free parking between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m., with $20 per vehicle between 1 and 5:15 p.m.

Next field we'll see is University of Phoenix Stadium ✌️#GoBucks pic.twitter.com/0ubAoq1A6j

— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) December 30, 2016

Parking at the stadium could run you up to $40 per vehicle and up to $250 per bus. Tailgating is prohibited as well. Stadium gates open at 3 p.m.

The winner of the semifinal will take on the winner of the Chic-Fil-A Peach Bowl, which will be played between No. 1 Alabama Crimson Tide and No. 4 Washington Huskies on Dec. 31.

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