Mountain America Stadium isn't a stadium sitting in a sea of empty asphalt the way most NFL venues are. It's built into the middle of a working university campus, wedged between classroom buildings, a light rail line, and the bars along Mill Avenue that are still open for business on a Saturday afternoon or a Friday night kickoff. That changes almost everything about how a group actually gets there, parks, and gets back out again.
TLDR: Charter buses use the Copper Lot/RV Lot off Rio Salado Parkway, guests without a parking pass can be dropped near the South Packard Drive Structure, and a private party bus or charter bus rental skips the campus parking-pass scramble entirely by handling the drop, the wait, and the pickup as one reservation instead of a dozen separate cars hunting for a spot.
Why Rent a Charter Bus or Party Bus to Mountain America Stadium?
A Mountain America Stadium game day asks a lot of a group before kickoff ever happens: figure out which color-coded lot your pass allows, remember that Packard Drive runs one-way on game day, and get everyone through a campus that's also full of ASU students walking to class. A charter bus or party bus rental to Mountain America Stadium through Mesapartybuscompany.com removes all of that from your group's plate.
Instead of coordinating who's driving, where everyone parks, and how the group finds each other again after the final whistle, one bus handles the whole loop — pickup in Mesa, Tempe, or wherever your group starts, a coordinated arrival near the stadium, and a ride home already arranged. Comparing charter bus, party bus, and minibus options for a Sun Devils game through Mesapartybuscompany.com takes about a minute, and it covers a group of 14 in a Sprinter van just as easily as 50 in a full party bus.
Charter Bus & Party Bus Drop-Off at Mountain America Stadium
Mountain America Stadium sits at 500 E Veterans Way, Tempe, AZ 85287, and the venue splits its access by which side of the stadium you're headed to. Lots on the north side are reached from Rio Salado Parkway, while lots on the south side — including the Novus Structure, the Fulton Center Garage, and the Stadium Structure — are reached from E. University Drive, per ASU Sun Devil Athletics' official parking page. Knowing which approach your group needs before you're in traffic is the difference between a smooth arrival and circling campus looking for the right turn.
Guests without a parking pass, or with accessibility needs, are directed to a drop-off near the South Packard Drive Structure (Structure 7), where cart service is available to reach the gates, according to the official ASU game day guide. Stadium gates open 90 minutes before kickoff, and there's no re-entry once you leave — so a group that wants to walk in together and stay together needs a drop point everyone agrees on beforehand.
Where Buses Park at Mountain America Stadium — the Copper Lot
ASU designates the Copper Lot as its RV and bus lot, accessed by turning north off Rio Salado Parkway, per the official parking page linked above. That's the detail most fan groups never think to ask about until they're already circling campus in a 45-foot vehicle looking for somewhere to sit for four hours.
A private charter bus or party bus rental to Mountain America Stadium is built around exactly this problem: the vehicle has a lot it's meant to use, it can hold your group's tailgate gear in the bays underneath while everyone's inside the stadium, and it's parked and waiting when the game lets out — instead of your group hoping there's still room in a surface lot by the time you find it.
Weekday Kickoffs and Campus Road Closures Around Mountain America Stadium
Because Mountain America Stadium sits on an active campus, its game-day traffic pattern depends on whether classes are in session. ASU's own game-day communications note that a weeknight kickoff brings additional lot and structure restrictions tied to the class schedule — the same lot that's wide open on a Saturday can run differently for a Friday-night game. Packard Drive also closes to northbound traffic on game days, cutting off northbound access to the Maroon Lot, per the venue's official parking guidance.
None of that is something a first-time visitor should have to figure out by trial and error with a car full of people who are already running late. Booking a charter bus or party bus rental to Mountain America Stadium puts that routing problem on the reservation instead of on your group — you're told where the bus is headed, and the approach gets built around whatever restrictions apply to that specific date.
Mill Avenue District Bus Staging for ASU Sun Devils Games
Mill Avenue is the walkable strip of bars and restaurants a few blocks north of the stadium, and it's where a lot of Sun Devils groups start their day well before kickoff. University Sports Grill at 740 S Mill Ave is one of the strip's dedicated ASU sports bars and validates two hours of parking at the West Sixth Parking Garage for guests who spend $50 or more — useful to know, since Mill Ave's own street parking fills fast on a game afternoon. Pedal Haus, a few blocks over, serves as an official ASU Game Watch Party gathering spot on game weekends.
The catch with Mill Avenue is that it's a narrow, pedestrian-heavy corridor — not a place a 45-foot charter bus can simply idle at the curb while your group grabs a table. A party bus rental built around a Mountain America Stadium trip solves this by treating Mill Avenue as a stop, not a home base: the bus drops your group at a coordinated point near the district, holds during the pregame, and moves to the stadium side when it's time to walk in, so nobody's negotiating a rideshare through gameday foot traffic at the last minute.
If part of your group would rather skip driving into the district altogether, the Veterans Way/College Avenue light rail station — also called the Tempe Transportation Center — sits immediately next to the stadium on Valley Metro's light rail line, and the Tempe Streetcar adds a stop at Marina Heights nearby, per Valley Metro's own transit guide to Valley sports venues. That's a fine option for a couple of people. For a group of 15, 25, or 50, a private bus is still the version that keeps everyone together instead of scattered across train cars and platforms.
Student, Alumni & Family Bus Rentals for ASU Sun Devils Football
Most groups requesting a bus for Mountain America Stadium fall into a few categories: alumni chapters organizing a tailgate reunion, families in town for a student's game weekend, fraternity and sorority groups coordinating a group outing, and out-of-town supporters following a Big 12 opponent to Tempe. Each of those groups has the same underlying problem — getting a dozen-plus people to the same lot, at the same time, without a caravan of cars splitting up somewhere on Rio Salado Parkway.
Tailgating itself has real rules worth knowing before your group sets up. ASU's official game-day guide permits beer and wine in the lots (no one under 21) but prohibits kegs, glass containers, and drinking games, and grills are limited to propane — no charcoal, no open flames, and only rooftop-level grilling inside parking structures like Novus or Fulton Center Garage. Personal golf carts aren't allowed in or around the stadium; only ASU-approved carts are permitted.
A charter bus with underfloor storage bays is a practical way to bring folding tables, coolers, and a propane grill to the lot without anyone hauling gear across campus on foot.
For alumni groups planning something bigger than a single-game outing — a full reunion weekend, a chapter tailgate series, or a group tied to a corporate suite — the private event transportation and corporate event transportation options through Mesapartybuscompany.com cover multi-stop itineraries the same way a single game-day run does. Whichever group you're organizing, one quote request lines up the vehicle, and group transportation services can be arranged for parties well beyond a standard party bus size.
What Size Bus Fits Your Mountain America Stadium Group?
Group sizes for a Sun Devils game vary wildly — a family of six in town for the weekend needs something very different from a 40-person alumni chapter. Here's how the available vehicle types line up for a Mountain America Stadium trip.
- 14-passenger Sprinter limo or Sprinter van: A good fit for a small alumni group, a family visiting a student, or a suite-holder group that wants comfortable seating and privacy windows for a short hop from a Tempe hotel.
- Party bus (15–50 passengers): The right call for a tailgate group that wants the energy to start before the parking lot does — built-in seating around the perimeter, a sound system, and LED lighting for the ride over.
- 15–35 passenger minibus: A practical option for a mid-size group making a quick run from a Tempe or Mesa hotel block, with reclining seats and strong A/C for an Arizona afternoon.
- 40–56 passenger charter bus: Built for the largest alumni chapters or full booster groups, with underfloor bays deep enough for tailgate gear and an onboard restroom for the ride home.
Not sure which one fits your headcount? The full vehicle lineup breaks down seating and amenities in more detail, or a quick call to 480-525-8840 gets a straight answer in a couple of minutes.
Mountain America Stadium Bus Rental Prices
Pricing for a Mountain America Stadium bus rental depends on a handful of factors: the vehicle size, how many hours you need it (including tailgate time before kickoff and the wait until you're ready to leave), the specific game date, and how far the pickup point is from Tempe.
To give you an idea of what a game-day rental tends to run: 14-passenger Sprinter limos and vans typically fall around $130–$280/hour; 15–20 passenger party buses run roughly $140–$260/hour; 20–30 passenger party buses run about $180–$340/hour; 35–50 passenger party buses and minibuses run around $260–$420/hour; and 40–56 passenger charter buses run about $120–$240/hour or $1,000–$2,000 for a full-day tailgate rental. The real number moves with the date, the vehicle, and how many hours your group needs it.
The fastest way to see where your specific trip lands is to fill out a quick form or call 480-525-8840 — you can get pricing for your date in about a minute, with no obligation attached. Check the Mesa party bus prices page for a broader look at how rates shift by season and vehicle type.
Getting to Mountain America Stadium: Routes, Traffic & Timing
Mountain America Stadium draws groups from all over the East Valley and beyond, and the drive in gets noticeably heavier in the hour or two before kickoff as Loop 202 traffic funnels toward campus. Approximate distances from common East Valley pickup points, before game-day traffic sets in:
- Mesa: roughly 10–13 miles, about 20–30 minutes off-peak.
- Chandler: roughly 12–15 miles, about 20–30 minutes off-peak.
- Gilbert: roughly 15–18 miles, about 25–35 minutes off-peak.
- Scottsdale: roughly 12–16 miles, about 20–30 minutes off-peak.
- Phoenix (downtown): roughly 10 miles, about 15–25 minutes off-peak.
Those times stretch well beyond that window on a Saturday afternoon, and even more on a weeknight kickoff when campus traffic and commuter traffic overlap. Arriving a few hours ahead of the stated lot-opening time — and letting the bus, not your group, deal with the merge onto Rio Salado Parkway or University Drive — is the difference between a relaxed tailgate and a stressful sprint through the gates.
A Mesa sporting event bus rental covers exactly this kind of East Valley-to-Tempe run, and the same logic applies whether the group is starting in Mesa, a Chandler or Gilbert neighborhood, a Scottsdale resort, or a Phoenix hotel — one bus, one pickup, one drop point near campus.
Phoenix Sky Harbor to Mountain America Stadium
Groups flying in for a game weekend have a short hop: Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport sits only about 7–10 miles from the ASU Tempe campus, typically 10–20 minutes by way of Loop 202, depending on traffic. That makes a single coordinated pickup at baggage claim a realistic option even for a group flying in the morning of kickoff.
Instead of splitting an arriving group across several rideshares with duffel bags and tailgate coolers, one bus gathers everyone at the terminal curb and runs straight to a Tempe hotel or the stadium itself. The Phoenix Sky Harbor airport shuttle guide breaks down the terminal pickup zones in more detail, and the Mesa airport transportation page covers the same run for groups basing out of the East Valley instead.
Tailgating Rules at Mountain America Stadium
Tailgating is part of the Sun Devils game-day tradition, and ASU's official game-day guide lays out a specific set of rules groups need to know before setting up in the lots:
- Beer and wine only. Kegs, glass containers, and drinking games are prohibited in stadium lots, and no one under 21 may consume alcohol.
- Propane grills only. Charcoal grills and open flames are not permitted, and inside parking structures grilling is limited to the rooftop level.
- Only ASU-approved golf carts are allowed in and around the stadium and lots — personal carts aren't permitted.
- No personal Port-a-Johns. ASU provides approved restroom facilities in the designated pass lots instead.
A charter bus's underfloor storage bays are a practical way to get folding tables, coolers, and a propane grill to the Copper Lot in one trip instead of several car loads. The gear rides in the bays during the game, and the same bus is there to load it back up once your group is ready to head out.
Leaving Mountain America Stadium After the Game
Getting out of a campus-based stadium is its own challenge, since the same streets carrying stadium traffic are also carrying regular Tempe and ASU campus traffic. With thousands of fans funneling out at once, and Packard Drive's northbound closure still in effect, the exit can take longer than the arrival did.
A private bus takes that problem off your group's hands. The bus waits in its assigned lot during the game, your group agrees on a pickup window before you ever split up to tailgate or find seats, and the bus is already staged and ready when everyone walks back out — no hunting for a car in a dark lot, no surge-priced rideshare wait among thousands of other fans doing the same thing.
ASU Sun Devils Football at Mountain America Stadium in 2026
ASU's official 2026 home schedule lists six home games at Mountain America Stadium: Morgan State on September 5, Baylor on October 3, Hawai'i on October 10, Kansas State on October 24, Colorado on November 7, and Oklahoma State on November 21. That's six separate Saturdays (and at least one weeknight kickoff) where East Valley traffic funnels toward the same handful of campus lots.
Big 12 conference games — Baylor's October 3 Maroon Monsoon game, the October 24 Blackout Game against Kansas State, the November 7 Salute to Service and Family Weekend game against Colorado, and the November 21 Homecoming matchup with Oklahoma State — typically draw the largest crowds and the tightest parking, which means the Copper Lot and the structures fill up earliest on those Saturdays. Booking a bus for one of those dates as soon as your group's headcount is set is the simplest way to make sure the right vehicle is still available.
Booking a Charter Bus or Party Bus to Mountain America Stadium
Lining up a bus for a Sun Devils game through Mesapartybuscompany.com comes down to three steps:
- Fill out a quick quote request with your group size, pickup location, and the game date — or call 480-525-8840 directly.
- Compare vehicle options and all-inclusive pricing for your group, from a Sprinter van up to a full-size charter bus.
- Set your pickup and return windows so the bus is staged and ready for the walk out after the final whistle.
There's no account required and no obligation to move forward — just a straightforward look at what's available for your specific date.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do charter buses drop off at Mountain America Stadium?
Guests without a parking pass, or with accessibility needs, are directed to a drop-off near the South Packard Drive Structure (Structure 7), where cart service connects to the gates, per the official ASU game-day guide. Buses and RVs are directed to the Copper Lot, reached by turning north off Rio Salado Parkway.
Where do buses park during an ASU football game?
ASU designates the Copper Lot as its RV and bus parking area, accessed from Rio Salado Parkway on the north side of the stadium. South-side lots and structures, including the Novus Structure and Fulton Center Garage, are reached from E. University Drive instead.
Are there road closures around Mountain America Stadium on game day?
Yes. Packard Drive closes to northbound traffic on game days, which cuts off northbound access to the Maroon Lot. Weeknight games bring additional lot and structure restrictions because ASU classes are still in session, so the routing can differ from a typical Saturday game.
Can I take the light rail to Mountain America Stadium?
Yes. The Veterans Way/College Avenue station, also called the Tempe Transportation Center, sits immediately next to the stadium on Valley Metro's light rail line, and the Tempe Streetcar adds a nearby stop at Marina Heights. It's a workable option for a couple of people, though a private bus keeps a larger group together in a way that separate train rides don't.
What are the tailgating rules at Mountain America Stadium?
Beer and wine are allowed in the lots (no one under 21), but kegs, glass containers, and drinking games are prohibited. Grills are limited to propane — no charcoal or open flames, and rooftop-only inside parking structures — and only ASU-approved golf carts are permitted in and around the lots, per ASU's official game-day guide.
How much does it cost to rent a bus to Mountain America Stadium?
Pricing depends on vehicle size, total hours, and the specific game date. To give you an idea, party buses and minibuses commonly run in the $140–$420/hour range depending on size, while a full-size charter bus runs roughly $120–$240/hour or $1,000–$2,000 for a full day. Fill out a quick form or call 480-525-8840 to see pricing for your exact date in about a minute.
What's the closest airport to Mountain America Stadium?
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is closest, roughly 7–10 miles away and typically a 10–20 minute drive via Loop 202. That makes a single coordinated bus pickup at baggage claim realistic even for a group arriving the morning of kickoff.
What's the bag policy at Mountain America Stadium?
ASU enforces a clear bag policy: one clear plastic, vinyl, or PVC bag no larger than 12" x 6" x 12" (or a one-gallon clear ziplock), plus a small clutch no larger than 4.5" x 6.5". Non-clear backpacks and oversized bags are not permitted inside the gates.
Are ADA-accessible buses available for a Mountain America Stadium trip?
Yes — ADA-accessible vehicles can be requested through the quote process. Just note it when you fill out your request so the right vehicle is arranged ahead of your game date.
How far in advance should I book a bus for ASU football season?
As soon as your group's headcount and date are set, especially for the biggest conference matchups on the home schedule, when demand for East Valley vehicles peaks. For most other dates, a couple of weeks of lead time is workable, but earlier is always better for vehicle selection.
Rent Your Mountain America Stadium Bus Today
Whether it's an alumni chapter tailgate, a family in town for a student's game weekend, or a full booster group heading to a Big 12 matchup, Mesapartybuscompany.com makes it easy to compare party buses, charter buses, minibuses, and Sprinter vans for a trip to Mountain America Stadium. One bus handles the pickup, the Copper Lot arrival, the tailgate wait, and the ride home — all as a single, predictable reservation instead of a caravan of separate cars.
Fill out the quick quote form or call 480-525-8840 any time to see vehicle options and all-inclusive pricing for your game date in about a minute.
