What to know if you’re attending Sunday’s Cardinals vs. Lions game

The Arizona Cardinals are set to get their season underway on Sunday at 1:25 p.m. with a Week 1 matchup against the Detroit Lions. If you plan to head out there to attend the game in person — or even if you plan to watch or listen from home — there are some things you may want to be aware of.

On Thursday, the team announced that rockstar Bret Michaels will perform at halftime at State Farm Stadium. His hits include “Nothing But a Good Time,” “Talk Dirty to Me” and “Unskinny Bop.” He’ll also perform in Arizona on Nov. 16 and will be in the upcoming NFL Network documentary that will celebrate the league’s 100th season.

If you can’t make it out to see Michaels or the Cardinals, you can listen on 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station. It will be broadcast on Fox 10 in Phoenix for television viewers.

If you do plan to go to the game, however, here are some things you’ll want to know:

DIGITAL TICKETS

With the team’s new digital ticketing system, a digital ticket assistance team can help fans who may need it. They’ll be located at each entry point to State Farm Stadium. Look for white tents marked with green “digital ticketing assistance” messaging. Fans are encouraged to access their tickets before they’re at the security checkpoints.

PARKING AND TRAFFIC

Game day parking lots open at 9:15 a.m. on Sunday. You can get traffic updates by visiting www.az511.gov or calling 511. You can also find info about parking and other Cardinals-related matters in the team’s A to Z guide.

There will be two cash parking lots near the stadium. You can enter the Black Lot from Camelback Road and 95th Avenue coming from the south, or the Yellow Lot off of 91st Avenue and Maryland Avenue if you’re coming from the north. You can also but parking passes for those lots in advance here.

RIDE SHARING

The Cardinals’ rideshare zone can be found at the south side of the stadium in the Black Lot off 93rd Avenue and Cardinals Way. When leaving, fans are encouraged to exit through Gates 1 or 3 and walk along the Black Lot pathway to meet their rideshare driver. Here’s a map.

PRE-GAME ACTIVITIES

Pre-game entertainment and activities at State Farm Stadium include the following:

Arizona Cardinals Flight Deck: Opens at 9:45 a.m. Lounges around the stadium plaza with NFL games on TV. Food and drinks available.

Preflight Party: Opens at 9:45 a.m on the South Lawn. Shade structure, seating, NFL games on TV, cheerleader autographs, photos with Big Red, football-themed games, interactive displays.

Bud Light Primetime Grill: Opens at 9:45 a.m. within the Preflight Party on the South Lawn. Tailgating entertainment with food and high-definition TVs with surround sound showing NFL games.

Big Red Brew Haus: Opens at 9:45 a.m. on the service level. A variety of beer selections, a Brew Haus menu, pool tables, TVs with NFL games. Enter at Gate 2 and take the escalators down.

The Game Zone: Opens at 9:45 a.m. The home to pregame radio shows. Includes viewing of NFL games, interactive games and a backyard BBQ menu. Tickets to the pregame event are $75 per person — reserve tickets here. Food and two drinks are included in that ticket price. You must also have a game ticket to enter. Enter at Gate 3.

SECURITY AND ACCEPTABLE BAGS

Fans who enter State Farm Stadium on Sunday will be subject to security screening as they enter. If you bring a bag or other item, it will be subject to inspection. You’ll be asked to remove cell phones and large metal items before you walk through a security checkpoint. Security lines may be busiest within the 30 minutes before kickoff.

The NFL’s Public Safety Policy stipulates that fans can bring one of the following bags inside: A 12-inch by six-inch by 12-inch clear plastic bag, a one-gallon plastic freezer bag, or a small clutch bag (including wallets) no larger than 4.5 inches by 6.5 inches in size. Bags not meeting these requirements will be denied entry, and fans will be asked to take the bags back to their vehicle or dispose of it. There is no way to store non-approved bags outside the stadium.

GATES OPEN

Gates to State Farm Stadium open at 11:15 a.m. Club gates and the team shop open at 9:45 a.m.

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