The Retractable Roof and Movable Field at University of Phoenix Stadium, Arizona

University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, USA is one of the first in a second-generation of U.S. multipurpose stadium venues that serve both the primary sports tenant and the community that funded the stadium construction. Built as the first permanent home of the Arizona Cardinals National Football League (NFL) franchise, the stadium also hosts the Arizona Sports and Tourism Authority (AZSTA) as an equal co-tenant charged with utilizing the venue facilities beyond the eight NFL game days each year. Central to the design program was the ability for the building to be functional, flexible, and rapidly adaptable to the needs of both tenants while demonstrating a world-class architectural design. Enabling the rapid adaptability of the stadium are two key kinetic structures. The 46,000 sm, 213 meter span roof structure includes a 9,000 sm movable roof that retracts to create an opening over the playing field. In addition, the playing field is mounted inside a giant movable tray structure that glides out of the south end of the stadium to reveal a state-of-the-art trade show floor. This article describes the structural design and construction of the roof and field structural systems.