SI.COM NAMES UNIVERSITY OF PHOENIX STADIUM “BEST NEW VENUE” OF THE 2000’s

In its series ranking the best in sports over the last decade, Sports Illustrated has named University of Phoenix Stadium as the Best New Venue.

Click here for the online article.

In selecting the facility #1, Sports Illustrated said: “Named for a college without a football team, this 1.7-million-square-foot stadium has quickly become one of the central venues in the sports world. It's home to the Arizona Cardinals and the Fiesta Bowl and hosted Super Bowl XLII in 2008. The award-winning design features a roof covered by a translucent fabric and exterior walls made of metallic panels to help with cooling inside. The field can be moved outside on rollers, enabling optimal grass growth in the desert setting.”

The recognition is the latest in a string of honors for the venue that opened in 2006. The Cardinals have sold out every game they have played in four seasons at the stadium.

Here is the complete list:

Venue        Team       League  Opened

 1. University of Phoenix Stadium         Arizona Cardinals      NFL     2006

 2. AT&T Park     San Francisco Giants   MLB     2001

 3. Cowboys Stadium       Dallas Cowboys NFL     2009

 4. Yankees Stadium       New York Yankees       MLB     2009

 5. PNC Park      Pittsburgh Pirates     MLB     2001

 6. Reliant Stadium       Houston Texans NFL     2002

 7. Citizens Bank Park    Philadelphia Phillies  MLB     2004

 8. Miller Park   Milwaukee Brewers      MLB     2001

 9. Qwest Field           Seattle Seahawks       NFL     2002

10. Busch Stadium         St. Louis Cardinals    MLB     2006