Superbowl LVII is set to take place this weekend, on February 12th 2023. It will be played at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. With some 180,000 passengers expected to arrive at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport to watch the game, here are some top tips to get you through arrival and departure from PHX with ease.
Who is flying to and from Phoenix for Superbowl?
Many airlines have added capacity for the Superbowl event, you can see our look into who's added what here. Finding a flight shouldn't be a problem, but to get the best deal on your flight and the best time for arrival and departure from PHX, we recommend comparing flight options here.
On arrival at the airport, you'll find plenty of assistance on hand. PHX has enlisted the support of extra staff and volunteers to help arriving and departing passengers at the airport. Look out for the 'Navigators' in their purple jackets who can help point you in the right direction and give you further advice about attending the game.
Make plans in advance
Hotels near the stadium have already begun to sell out, so don't arrive expecting options for accommodation. Book before you leave, and be prepared to stay a little further away if you don't want to pay big ticket prices for your stay. If you are staying a bit further out, renting a car is probably a good choice for getting to and from the game.
However, rentals too are expecting to be very busy, so ensure you've reserved your vehicle before arriving at the airport. According to Hopper, rentals are averaging around $85 per day, but will likely continue to increase as the event gets closer. Hopper further recommends considering staying from Saturday until Tuesday to save money on your trip, as air fares will be lower and hotels could be cheaper.
If you don't want to rent a car, Valley Metro Rail offers a convenient and affordable way to get to the downtown area. The Phoenix Sky Train, a free people mover at the airport, connects directly to the Valley Metro.
Getting away from the airport
With thousands of people expected to depart on Monday 13th after the game, Phoenix Sky Harbor recommends a 5-4-3-2-1 rule to get you to your departing flight on time. This means:
- Five hours before your flight, check out of your hotel
- Four hours before your flight, hand back your rental car
- Three hours before your flight, check in at the ticket counter
- Two hours before your flight, join the line for security checks
- One hour before your flight, be at your gate
To make things easier and avoid long lines, PHX has put in place an early bag check facility for travelers flying American Airlines, Delta, Southwest and United. Available on both Sunday 12th and Monday 13th, passengers can drop their bag at the 44th Street Sky Train station and the Rental Car Center. Here, you can check your bags before boarding the Sky Train, although this must be done at least 90 minutes before your flight departs.
Cut the queues
You can save your place in the TSA security line using the PHX RESERVE program. This can be booked up to six days in advance on the Phoenix Airport website. You can also check the security wait times on the website.
Are you heading to Superbowl LVII this weekend? Let us know in the comments.
Source: Hopper