Blue 42! Red 39! Hut, hut, hike! We are just days away from the biggest sporting event of the year. The Super Bowl is back in Arizona, and it is the Valley’s time to shine once again. This year’s game will be the fourth Super Bowl the metro Phoenix area has played host to in the game’s history. “While most of the attention will be focused on the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles, it’s also game time for Valley Metro, which will play a big part in delivering fans to events happening throughout the downtown Phoenix area.”
The last time Arizona hosted a Super Bowl weekend in 2015, more than 126,000 riders used light rail to get around on a Saturday. This year, the system is looking to break another ridership record by having nearly 60 trains in service from February 9-12. There will also be 12 free park-and-rides and five overflow parking lots across Phoenix, Tempe, and Mesa. Riders are also encouraged to download the Valley Metro App where they can plan their trip and track their train in real time. Getting a game plan is fast and convenient. To learn how to score by taking Valley Metro to Super Bowl 57 events visit this link.
Jay Parry, President and CEO of the Arizona Super Bowl Host Committee said, “Public transit plays a significant and essential role in hosting the Super Bowl.” She added, “Arizona has invested in extending both light rail service along with expanding our state’s freeway systems since Arizona last hosted the Super Bowl in 2015.”
Parry and her staff want to make all the events taking place across the Valley, leading up to the big game, accessible to all residents and visitors. “We encourage people to take advantage of the easy, convenient, and no-cost option of public transportation available in and around downtown Phoenix,” said Parry. Valley Metro, the Phoenix Convention Center, Arizona Super Bowl Host Committee, and Downtown Phoenix Inc, with the support of several downtown Phoenix, sponsors, have partnered to provide sponsored fares to those attending the Super Bowl Experience at the convention center and Margaret T. Hance Park. Fans are asked to download the NFL One-Pass app to their phones, providing a QR code within the rewards section of the app and serving as valid light rail fare to and from the events. The QR code will be visually scanned by fare inspectors and is valid for one adult and accompanying family members.
For those planning to attend the game in person, Valley Metro also provides three bus routes to State Farm Stadium in Glendale. Fans can hop aboard bus routes 60, 70, and 83 for a short ride before arriving at 95th Avenue and Glendale.
Buses and light rail trains are going to be important over the next few days in getting passengers in and out of Downtown Phoenix. Valley Metro will have an all-star team of volunteers ready to assist people at stations and park-and-rides across the valley where they will be connecting communities and enhancing lives one day at a time.
“This will be the most sustainable and family-friendly Super Bowl experience yet, thanks in great part to this program,” said Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego. “This program leverages our investment in public transit and our commitment to keeping our city connected and accessible to our diverse community.”
Finally, before heading out to all the fun events this week, fans are encouraged to “Know Before You Go.” The Arizona Super Bowl Host Committee has up-to-the-minute information on how to navigate Downtown Phoenix, locate parking, access the light rail, and much more. You can find that here.
