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The Arizona Cardinals host the New York Jets at State Farm Stadium on Sunday, December 20, 2026 — a Week 15 interconference matchup kicking off at 2:05 PM local time, just five days before Christmas. These two sides meet only rarely, and history has leaned heavily toward New York, so the Cardinals will be looking to buck the trend in front of a home crowd during the holiday season. If you’re building a Phoenix-area trip around the game, here’s everything you need on tickets, the venue, where to stay, and how to plan the visit.
Why this matchup is worth the trip
The Cardinals and Jets don’t cross paths often — this is only their tenth regular-season meeting since the two franchises first played in 1973 — and New York has had the clear upper hand historically, including a run of meetings the Jets swept after Arizona’s move to the desert in 1988. One of the most memorable games in the series was a wild 56–35 shootout in 2008 between Kurt Warner and Brett Favre. A matchup this infrequent always carries some novelty, and with the holiday season in full swing, it’s a natural excuse for a pre-Christmas Phoenix getaway.
Add a 2:05 PM kickoff that leaves the evening free for holiday shopping or dinner out, and mild December weather that beats a cold-weather commute to most NFL stadiums this time of year, and it’s an easy game to build a trip around.
State Farm Stadium: The venue
State Farm Stadium has been home to the Arizona Cardinals since it opened in 2006. With a retractable roof, a natural grass field that rolls outdoors between events, and a capacity of roughly 63,400 for NFL games, it’s regularly ranked among the league’s best modern venues — and the Cardinals have sold out every game played there to date.
Getting there: The stadium sits at 1 Cardinals Drive, right next to Westgate Entertainment District, with easy access from Loop 101 via the Glendale Avenue or Cardinals Way exits. It isn’t directly served by public transit, so driving or rideshare is the practical way in — use the official rideshare pickup/drop-off zone on 95th Avenue just north of Maryland Avenue. On-site and surrounding lots fill fast on game day, so pre-booking parking is worth it, and gates typically open about 90 minutes before kickoff. The stadium enforces a clear-bag policy, so plan ahead of time.
Getting tickets and choosing your seats
A rare matchup against an AFC opponent in the thick of the holiday season still draws a solid crowd, especially with plenty of locals looking for a pre-Christmas outing. Booking ahead is worth it. Lower level seats put you closest to the field with the best sightlines to the sideline action. Club level adds wider seats and lounge access. Upper level (Terrace) seats are the most affordable way in and, thanks to the stadium’s tight bowl design, still keep the whole field in view.
For the loudest atmosphere, sections near the Cardinals’ sideline (around 108–109) or the end zones tend to be where the Red Sea is at its rowdiest. If you’d rather watch in comfort, Club Level sections give you a clear, elevated view with easy access to food and drink.
Compare before you buy: Prices move as the date gets closer, and Ticketmaster and Ticombo often list different inventory. Check both links above and grab your seats once you’ve found the section and price that work for your trip.
Where to stay near Glendale
State Farm Stadium sits right next to Westgate Entertainment District, so staying nearby means an easy walk to dinner, drinks and pre-game energy — but a few different areas suit different kinds of trips.
Westgate / Glendale — The most convenient base by far, steps from the stadium gates and surrounded by more than 70 restaurants and bars, plus Topgolf, Andretti Karting and shopping for the rest of your stay.
Downtown Phoenix — About 20 minutes from the stadium, with a bigger city feel, more hotel variety and easy access to Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport if you’re flying in.
Old Town Scottsdale — A little further out (around 30–40 minutes), but the pick if you want resort pools, upscale dining and nightlife to fill out the rest of a Phoenix-area trip.
The map below shows live hotel rates around Glendale and Phoenix for your dates — filter to find what fits your budget and preferred area.
Some links in this post are affiliate links. If you book or buy through them we may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you — it helps keep these guides going.
Building a Phoenix-area trip around the game
Mid-December in the Valley stays mild by most standards, with highs typically in the mid-60s and crisp, cool evenings — layer up, but it’s a welcome break from winter if you’re traveling in from somewhere colder. A 2:05 PM kickoff means the game wraps up in the late afternoon, leaving the evening free for holiday shopping, dinner out, or Westgate’s nightlife.
Beyond game day, the Phoenix area rewards a few extra days: Old Town Scottsdale’s galleries and nightlife, an early-morning hike up Camelback Mountain or through Papago Park before the heat sets in, the Desert Botanical Garden’s cactus-filled trails, and a day trip out to Sedona’s red rocks if you want to get out of the city entirely. Westgate itself is worth an evening on its own, with restaurants, live music and family activities running most weekends.
Planning your trip around a big game? Our live events hub rounds up more football, motorsport and concert travel guides with the same tickets-and-where-to-stay format.
Want to book a few experiences ahead of time? Here’s a selection of well-rated things to do around Glendale and Phoenix.
Frequently asked questions
When do the Cardinals play the Jets in Glendale?
The Arizona Cardinals host the New York Jets at State Farm Stadium on Sunday, December 20, 2026, with kickoff at 2:05 PM MST.
Why is this Cardinals vs Jets game worth watching?
The two teams rarely meet — this is only their tenth regular-season matchup since 1973 — and New York has historically had the upper hand in the series, so it’s a genuine rarity on the Cardinals’ home schedule.
Where is State Farm Stadium?
State Farm Stadium is at 1 Cardinals Drive in Glendale, Arizona, right next to Westgate Entertainment District and about 20 minutes northwest of downtown Phoenix.
How do I get tickets?
You can find listings for the Cardinals vs Jets game on Ticketmaster and Ticombo via the links in this post. With the game falling just before Christmas, it’s worth booking tickets and travel early.
Where should I stay for the game?
Westgate/Glendale is the most convenient base, right by the stadium. Downtown Phoenix offers more hotel variety and easy airport access, and Old Town Scottsdale is the pick for resorts and nightlife if you’re staying a few extra days.
What else is worth doing around Glendale and Phoenix?
Spend the evening at Westgate Entertainment District after the game, explore Old Town Scottsdale, hike Camelback Mountain or Papago Park early in the day, visit the Desert Botanical Garden, or take a day trip out to Sedona’s red rocks.
Rise up, Red Sea
A rare pre-Christmas visit from New York — and a chance for the Cardinals to finally get the better of this series at home. Lock in your seats and start planning your trip.