How to avoid Glendale traffic during the NCAA Championship on Monday
Apr 3, 2017, 6:15 AM | Updated: 2:52 pm
Pedestrians walk outside of the University of Phoenix Stadium, Tuesday, Oct. 11, 2011, in Glendale, Ariz. NFL owners have awarded the 2015 Super Bowl to the Phoenix area on Tuesday. It will be the third time the area has hosted the football game, which will be played in Glendale. (AP Photo/Matt York)
(AP Photo/Matt York)
The culmination of the 2017 NCAA Tournament will bring tens of thousands of people to Glendale, Ariz., for the NCAA Championship Game on Monday. Of course, that means traffic will be heavy at and around University of Phoenix Stadium.
Areas along Interstate 10 near Loop 101, and Loop 101 between Camelback Road and Northern Avenue are expected to be backed up, not to mention surface streets near the venue.
The city of Glendale suggests arriving early and staying late after games to avoid traffic altogether. The Infiniti Tipoff Tailgate, activities at Waterdance Plaza and the 20-plus bars and restaurants at Westgate could provide pre- and post-game entertainment for those hoping to avoid traffic.
Here is what you need to know to be prepared for and even avoid busy roads for the 6:20 p.m. game between North Carolina and Gonzaga.
Get a parking pass
Final Four parking passes can be purchased at ParkingJuJu.com.
Passes come with directions for the quickest access to parking lots, and the city suggests using those maps instead of GPS. Pre-paid passes can be printed at home or scanned from a smartphone at lot entrances.
Event-day passes, though limited in quantity, can be purchased via cash or card at stadium-controlled lots. Lots open at 1 p.m. on Monday.
Don’t have a pass?
If you don’t have a pass and are driving to University of Phoenix Stadium, expect to exit the freeway at Camelback or Northern.
The Bethany Home Road exit is strictly for shuttles, limos, RVs, rideshares (Lyft and Uber) and taxis.
A pickup and dropoff staging area is on the southwest corner of 95th Avenue and Bethany Home Road, just south of the stadium’s Gate 1.
Parking in residential areas is prohibited.
Download a parking map for University of Phoenix Stadium here.
Parking pass prices
General Parking: $40
Preferred Parking: $50
RV parking: $150
Limos or Oversized Sedans: $75
Bus or RV: $150
Road closures
In front of University of Phoenix Stadium, 95th Avenue between Bethany Home Road and Maryland Avenue will be closed through April 4.
Maryland Avenue will be closed between 95th and 93rd avenues through April 3.
Updates and alerts
Follow @GlendaleAzPD on Twitter for live updates on traffic restrictions and search hashtags #glendaletraffic and #FinalFour to find traffic-related posts.
Fans can also call 511 for updates.
