So, you’re looking for the game. You've got your team gear ready, maybe a flight booked, or you're just trying to settle a bet with a buddy about where the big desert showdown actually happens. If you're asking where is the Rate Bowl being played, the answer is right in the heart of downtown Phoenix, Arizona, at Chase Field.
It’s weird. Most people expect college football bowls to happen in massive, dedicated football stadiums like the Rose Bowl or Jerry World in Dallas. But the Rate Bowl—formerly known as the Guaranteed Rate Bowl, and the Cactus Bowl, and the Insight.com Bowl (the name changes are a whole saga)—has a much more interesting vibe. It’s played in a Major League Baseball stadium.
The Desert Diamond Transition
Chase Field is the home of the Arizona Diamondbacks. When you walk in, you aren't seeing the typical sightlines of a football arena. You’re seeing a massive retractable roof, a swimming pool in right-center field, and dirt that’s been meticulously covered with high-quality sod to accommodate 22 players slamming into each other.
The stadium is located at 401 East Jefferson Street, Phoenix, AZ 85004.
Honestly, it’s one of the more unique atmospheres in the post-season. Because the stands are designed for baseball, the fans are often closer to the action on one side of the field than they would be at a massive NFL stadium. It creates this echoing, intimate roar that you just don't get at the State Farm Stadium across town in Glendale.
Why Chase Field and Not a Football Stadium?
It’s a fair question. Why play a Big Ten vs. Big 12 matchup in a baseball park?
Money. Availability. Culture.
The Rate Bowl has a long, traveling history. It started in Tucson at Arizona Stadium back in the late 80s as the Copper Bowl. Eventually, it moved up to Phoenix and spent years at Chase Field (then Bank One Ballpark). Then it hopped over to Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe for a while. But it keeps coming back to downtown Phoenix.
The "vibe" is the big seller here. When the game is at Chase Field, fans can stay in downtown hotels, walk to the stadium, and hit up the bars on Central Avenue or Washington Street immediately after the game. You aren't stuck in a massive parking lot in the middle of nowhere. You’re in the city.
What to Expect Inside the Stadium
If you've never been to a football game in a baseball stadium, prepare for a bit of a trip. The field runs along the first-base line. This means the "good" seats are somewhat subjective.
- The Sightlines: Some seats in the lower bowl are angled toward second base, so you might find yourself craning your neck.
- The Roof: It’s Phoenix in late December. Usually, the weather is perfect—somewhere in the 60s—but the roof can be closed if a rare desert rainstorm hits or if it gets too chilly at night.
- The Pool: Yes, the famous pool is usually open for specific ticket holders. Watching a linebacker get a sack while people are literally swimming behind the end zone is peak Arizona.
Logistics for Fans Traveling to Phoenix
Don't just wing it. Downtown Phoenix has changed a lot in the last five years. It’s no longer a ghost town after 5:00 PM.
If you're flying in, Sky Harbor International Airport is incredibly close. You can actually take the PHX Sky Train to the Valley Metro Rail, which drops you off literally a block away from the stadium. It’s cheap, and you avoid the $50 Uber surge pricing that happens right after the trophy presentation.
Parking at Chase Field can be a nightmare if you don't prep. The Jefferson Street Garage is the primary spot, but it fills up hours before kickoff. Pro tip: look for lots near 1st Street and Washington. It’s a five-minute walk, but getting out after the game is ten times faster.
The Big Ten vs. Big 12 Rivalry
The Rate Bowl isn't just about the location; it’s about the matchup. This bowl is specifically tied to the Big Ten and the Big 12. This creates a fascinating cultural clash. You’ve got fans from the Midwest—think Wisconsin, Iowa, or Minnesota—fleeing the sub-zero temperatures to soak up the sun. They meet fans from places like Oklahoma, Kansas, or Texas.
The contrast is wild. You see heavy parkas sitting next to t-shirts.
Because both conferences have expanded recently, the "flavor" of the Rate Bowl is changing. We might see schools that used to be in the Pac-12 playing in this game under their new conference banners. It adds a layer of "new vs. old" that keeps the game relevant even among the crowded bowl schedule.
👉 See also: Phoenix Suns vs Clippers: Why This Rivalry Feels Different in 2026
Where to Eat and Drink Before Kickoff
You shouldn't just eat stadium hot dogs. Chase Field has decent food, but the surrounding blocks are better.
- Crown Public House: It’s right across the street. It’s the unofficial headquarters for bowl fans. Expect it to be packed, loud, and full of school spirit.
- The Duce: This is a bit further south, but it’s a converted warehouse with vintage boxing rings, games, and incredible sliders. It’s great for families.
- Hanny’s: If you want something a bit more upscale (and you want to see a creepy basement with dolls—seriously), check out this former department store turned chic bar.
A Quick Note on the "Rate" Branding
People still call it the "Insight Bowl" or the "Cheez-It Bowl" sometimes. It’s confusing. To be clear: the Cheez-It Bowl moved to Orlando. The game at Chase Field is the Rate Bowl. Guaranteed Rate, the mortgage company, took over the naming rights a few years back and recently shortened the branding.
Practical Advice for Game Day
Don't bring a big bag. Like all major sporting events now, Chase Field has a strict clear-bag policy. If you bring your favorite backpack, you’ll end up walking back to your hotel or paying for a locker.
Also, bring sunglasses. Even if the game is at night, the Arizona sun stays bright and low on the horizon until the very last second, and if you’re sitting on the wrong side of the stadium, you’ll be blinded for the entire first quarter.
Actionable Next Steps
If you are planning to attend or watch the game:
- Book hotels in Downtown Phoenix, not Glendale. You want to be within walking distance of Chase Field.
- Check the Valley Metro Rail map. If you stay in Tempe or Midtown, the train is much more efficient than driving.
- Monitor the Big Ten and Big 12 standings in November. The "middle of the pack" teams in these conferences are the ones who usually get the invite here.
- Buy tickets early through the bowl's official site. Secondary markets get pricey once the specific teams are announced and alumni associations start buying up blocks.
The game is a blast. It’s one of the few times you can see high-stakes football in a place designed for home runs. Now that you know where is the Rate Bowl being played, you can focus on the important stuff: finding the best tacos in Phoenix before kickoff.