George Strait 2023 tour: Ultimate fan guide to his Phoenix concert with Chris Stapleton

George Strait is about to play his first stadium show of 2023 with special guest Chris Stapleton and an opening set by Little Big Town at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.

This is one of only seven stadiums the King of Country plans to play this year with Stapleton, who famously brought a football coach to tears when he sang the national anthem at Super Bowl 2023 at State Farm Stadium.

In an interview with Billboard, Strait said doing these concerts with Stapleton "was a no-brainer," adding he "was all in.”

In a press release, Stapleton said, “I love doing these shows with George (Strait) about as much as I like doing anything. So many of his songs are in the ethos of what country music is."

That much is certainly true.

State Farm Stadium is a big venue, which means there are a lot of things you'll need to know before you go, from where to park to what time to get there to details on the clear bag policy. Here's a guide to seeing George Strait and Chris Stapleton in Glendale.

And here's a link to what the city traffic engineer in Glendale recommended for avoiding traffic hassles.

Country Thunder 2023: The most Arizona things we saw, from Dierks Bentley to Kurt Warner

When is George Strait's State Farm Stadium concert?

If you have tickets, you already know this. But Strait is playing State Farm Stadium on Saturday, May 6, starting at 5:45 p.m.

What time does the George Strait concert start?

Here's the timetable:

• State Farm Stadium parking lots open at 2 p.m.

• Heritage at Sportsman's Park opens for a country-flavored preshow party at 3 p.m.

• Stadium doors open at 4 p.m.

• The concert starts at 5:45 p.m.

Concert news: Aerosmith's Peace Out farewell tour: Dates and how to get tickets

Where is State Farm Stadium?

State Farm Stadium is off the Loop 101 between Cardinals Way/Bethany Home Road and Glendale Avenue in the Glendale Sports and Entertainment District.

The street address is 1 Cardinals Way, and typing "State Farm Stadium" into your phone will yield the same result, which may not be as helpful as you think.

In fact, fans are encouraged to avoid their favorite apps when approaching the stadium, as they do not take into account special road closures, traffic patterns and access routes allocated to specific carparks. Using these apps could result in a longer commute.

The stadium website encourages ticketholders to use the directions on the parking pass purchased at SeatGeek.com, as this accounts for road closures and event-specific diversions.

This map will help as you get close.

Don't miss out: Top concerts playing Phoenix in May: Lizzo, Shania Twain, Red Hot Chili Peppers, the Cure

How to get to State Farm Stadium for George Strait and Chris Stapleton

The State Farm Stadium website offers these directions:

From the south: Take Loop 101 north, exit at Bethany Home Road/Cardinals Way and turn right off the exit. State Farm Stadium is on the left.

From the north: Take Loop 101 south, exit at Glendale Avenue and turn right onto Glendale Avenue. Make the first left onto 99th Avenue and left onto Maryland Avenue and continue over the bridge. State Farm Stadium is on the right.

From the East Valley using Interstate 10: Follow I-10 west to Loop 101 north. Exit at Bethany Home Road/Cardinals Way and turn right off the exit. State Farm Stadium is on the left.

From the East Valley using surface streets: Take Glendale Avenue west to 91st Avenue. Turn left onto 91st Avenue. State Farm Stadium is on the right.

From the West Valley using I-10: Follow I-10 east to Loop 101 north. Exit at Bethany Home Road/Cardinals Way and turn right off the exit. State Farm Stadium is on the left.

From the West Valley using surface streets: Take Glendale Avenue east to 95th Avenue. Turn right on 95th Avenue and follow it south. State Farm Stadium is on the left.

Playlist: The 25 best Linda Ronstadt songs of all time, ranked

Parking at State Farm Stadium for George Strait concert

Parking is $25 per vehicle if purchased in advance through SeatGeek or $30 per vehicle if purchased at the stadium.

Multiple parking lots are available off 91st Avenue.

Purchasing parking in advance through SeatGeek is recommended. Fans can access their digital parking pass via the SeatGeek App.

Fans without prepaid parking should arrive to any State Farm Stadium carpark and pay with credit or debit card ready. Cash is not accepted.

'I'm too big to cry': Phoenix blues icon Big Pete Pearson won't let cancer dim his spirit

Where can I buy George Strait tickets?

Tickets are available through SeatGeek, starting at $300.

Things you can't bring into State Farm Stadium

The following items are not permitted inside State Farm Stadium. There are no provisions to store items not allowed through security.

• Aerosol cans.

• Alcoholic beverages.

• Animals (except for documented service animals).

• Bags that do not meet NFL guidelines (must be clear and smaller than 12 by 12 by 6 inches).

• Banners or signs larger than 3 feet by 2 feet.

• Beverages other than one factory-sealed, non-frozen 500ml (16.9 ounce) bottle of plain water. Sports drinks and flavored water are not permitted.

• Beverage containers — glass bottles, cans and vacuum bottles.

• Cameras with professional lenses, tripods/monopods and iPads.

• Chewing tobacco.

• E-cigarettes/vaporizer pens.

• Clothing deemed obscene or indecent in a public setting.

• Coolers of any kind.

• Fireworks.

• Food (unless used for children younger than 2).

• Footballs and beach balls (inflated or deflated).

• Illegal drugs.

• Laptop computers.

• Laser pointers.

• Noise makers of any kind (whistles, horns, bells, etc.).

• Poles or sticks of any kind, including selfie sticks and brooms.

• Seat cushions except those that are one piece and have no zippers, pockets or concealable areas.

• Golf carts, skateboards, rollerblades or hoverboards.

• Umbrellas larger than 12 inches in length.

• Unmanned aircraft systems (drones, etc.).

• Video cameras (single purpose).

• Weapons of any kind including, but not limited to, firearms and knives.

• Any item deemed inappropriate or hazardous by stadium security.

Country Thunder 2023: The highs and lows of Country Thunder Arizona 2023

What is the bag policy at State Farm Stadium?

The NFL clear bag policy is enforced for all events at State Farm Stadium. Fans are encouraged to bring no bags, but the following will be permitted:

• Bags that are clear plastic, vinyl or PVC and do not exceed 12 by 12 by 6 inches.

• One-gallon clear plastic freezer bag (Ziploc or similar).

• Small clutch bags, with a maximum size of 4.5 inches by 6.5 inches, with or without a handle or strap, may be carried into the stadium along with one clear bag.

• Exceptions for medically necessary items will be made after inspection at a gate designated for this purpose.

'This is what made me who I am': Dierks Bentley came home to rule Country Thunder Arizona

Security screening at State Farm Stadium

Metal detector screening and a search of all bags and other items being carried in will take place at stadium gates. There are no provisions to store or safeguard prohibited items. Guests will be asked to return the items to their cars.

George Strait and Chris Stapleton at State Farm Stadium

When: 5:45 p.m. Saturday, May 6.

Where: State Farm Stadium, 1 Cardinals Way, Glendale.

Admission: $300 and up.

Details: 800-745-3000, SeatGeek.com

Reach the reporter at [email protected] or 602-444-4495. Follow him on Twitter @EdMasley.

Support local journalism. Subscribe to azcentral.com.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: George Strait's Phoenix concert: Tickets, bag policy, parking