Michigan Fiesta Bowl Events

Michigan is back in the College Football Playoff and will take on TCU in the Fiesta Bowl on New Year’s Eve at 2 p.m. MT. In addition to the Alumni Territory Fiesta Bowl Tour, there are several other Michigan events scheduled in the Phoenix area leading up to the game.

Michigan Fiesta Bowl Events

All times Mountain

General

As we celebrate our 125th anniversary, we invite you to join us in showing appreciation for our service members this holiday season. Take a moment to say thanks by writing a letter to a service member, and join us in our goal of writing 1,250 cards. Letter cards and pens will be available at the events listed below, or you can write a digital message via the USO’s website.

Dec. 28-Jan. 1: Daily breakfast for Alumni Territory Fiesta Bowl Tour participants
Dec. 30: Alumni Territory Fiesta Bowl Pep Rally
Dec. 31: Alumni Territory Fiesta Bowl Tailgate
Dec. 31: Post-game meal for Alumni Territory Fiesta Bowl Tour participants

To help support our troops and their families, we’ve set a goal of raising $12,500 for USO Arizona. Help support this goal by making a donation below.

If you’re looking to spend some time sightseeing while in Arizona, here are some family-friendly activities and things to do, as recommended by Phoenix-based Wolverines.

The Heard Museum

The Heard Museum is widely considered to be the greatest collection of American Indian art and artifacts in the U.S. Plus, it’s located in a gorgeous building with excellent courtyard cocktails and a restaurant for lunch.

Desert Botanical Gardens

This huge park contains the country’s largest collection of spectacular live native desert flowers, fauna, and more, along with sculptures, outdoor cocktails, dining, and shopping, all nestled amongst the red rocks and mountains. You can enjoy an evening of holiday nights with Las Noches de las Luminarias, now through Dec. 31.

The MIM (Musical Instrument Museum)

This beautiful museum is the largest of its kind in the world, with a collection of 8,000 instruments from more than 200 world countries. They offer immersive exhibits, fascinating galleries, and almost daily events, including Christmas piano concerts from Dec. 29-31.

“ZooLights” at the Phoenix Zoo

The Phoenix Zoo is open daily from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. but transforms for ZooLights each night at 5:30 p.m. with the Lake Light Show, Dinosaurs in the Desert, and nightly Holiday Safari Presentations and performances.

Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin

Frank Lloyd Wright was a famous architect who designed 1,114 innovative architectural works that were realized all over the U.S. You can visit Taliesin West, his desert laboratory in Scottsdale, with audio tours, guided tours, an exhibit, and other programs.

Camelback Mountain

If you’re looking for a great hike or climb, Camelback Mountain has an elevation of 2,704 feet and is located right in Phoenix. There are two trails: Echo Canyon (an intense and steep 1.23-mile hike) or Cholla Trial (a challenging 1.47-mile hike with gorgeous views).

Piestewa Peak

Piestewa Peak offers a series of moderate to difficult trails northwest of Scottsdale.

Chase Field

This award-winning MLB stadium is open for tours so you can check out its unique features, including one of the largest HD video scoreboards in MLB, the retractable roof, the D-backs Pool in right field, and the Coors Light Strike Zone.

Wear a U-M shirt to any of these local restaurants, bars, and nightclubs in Scottsdale and get a special U-M themed blue cocktail (made with raspberry vodka, Sprite, and blue curaçao) for only $12 during our Fiesta Bowl Tour.

These locations are recommended for guests 21+.

Bevvy | 4420 N Saddlebag Trail #100
Bevvy will be hosting the U-M Club of Phoenix’s Fiesta Bowl watch party.

Casa Amigos | 7320 E Indian Plaza
Casa Amigos is a Mexican restaurant and nightclub.

Bottled Blonde | 7340 E Indian Plaza #100
Bottled Blonde is a casual pizzeria and beer garden with nightlife.

RnR Gastropub | 3737 N Scottsdale Rd
RnR Gastropub will be the site of our Michigan Meet & Mingle on Dec. 30.

Friday, Dec. 30

Chaparral Park Aquatic Center (5445 N Hayden Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85250)

Enjoy the outdoors and get to know Alumni Association President and CEO Corie Pauling on an informal 5K run/walk around Chaparral Lake in Chaparral Park.

Located in central Scottsdale, Chaparral Park has a 1-mile loop that borders a small lake — three laps later, you’ve completed the 5K! The park also features fields, a playground, and a sand volleyball court. It’s perfect for families!

On-site parking is available. Meet us at 9 a.m. at the north end of the lake near the Chaparral Park Aquatic Center (look for the Michigan flag). We’ll begin our run/walk around 9:15 a.m.

Bring your own water bottle as needed, as no refreshments will be served.

This event is free and open to the public, but we do ask that you register in advance.

The Fieldhouse at Scottsdale Stadium (7408 E Osborn Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85251)

This free event hosted by the Office of Undergraduate Admissions will provide prospective undergraduate students and their families the chance to learn more about the University of Michigan. Meet fellow prospective students, U-M staff, and alumni and enjoy light food and refreshments.

Alumni interested in volunteering to mingle with prospective students/families can contact Mr. Jody Gore at [email protected] for more information.

Please register in advance for this event.

Scottsdale Stadium (7408 E Osborn Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85251)

Get hyped up for the Fiesta Bowl by joining us for a FREE pep rally featuring appearances by the Michigan Marching Band, Michigan Cheer and Dance Teams, and other special guests.

Gates open at 3 p.m. at Scottsdale Stadium, the spring training home of the San Francisco Giants. Cashless concessions will be available during the event, and stadium rules and regulations will be in effect.

Free parking is available at the Civic Center Library Parking Garage located north of the stadium.

This event is free and open to the public, but we do ask that you register in advance.

RnR Gastropub (3737 N Scottsdale Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85251)

Enjoy a night out in the heart of Old Town Scottsdale with fellow Wolverines as we take over RnR Gastropub. Featuring the only two-story dining patio overlooking the vibrant Scottsdale Road, and specializing in modern twists on classic American comfort foods, RnR boasts a DJ, boldly innovative chefs, and craft beers on tap.

Cover charge includes the first drink and is $10 for Alumni Association members and $15 for non-members (free for minors under 21).

Please register in advance for this event.

Saturday, Dec. 31

Dave & Buster’s Glendale (9460 W Hanna Ln, Glendale, AZ 85305)

Start your New Year’s Eve at the official University of Michigan pre-game tailgate. We’ve got the keys to Dave & Buster’s and are turning it maize and blue for the day with access to games, food, and drinks.

There will be appearances by special guests, as well as a scheduled appearance by the Michigan Marching Band.

State Farm Stadium (1 Cardinals Dr, Glendale, AZ 85305)

The Wolverines and Horned Frogs square off in the College Football Playoff semifinals. With a win, Michigan will advance to the CFP National Championship in Los Angeles on Jan. 9, 2023.

Can’t make it to the game? Find a Michigan watch party in your area.
Still looking for tickets? The Alumni Association does not have game tickets available for purchase, but we invite you to visit the Alumni Ticket Exchange to see what tickets may be available from fellow alums.
Interested in joining us in Los Angeles if Michigan advances? Check out our pre-sale for the Alumni Territory National Championship Tour.

If you’re looking to celebrate New Year’s Eve in style after the Fiesta Bowl, here are some of our local Scottsdale recommendations.

Bitters Cocktail Bar | 1455 N Scottsdale Rd
Bitters is a craft cocktail bar with a scratch kitchen. Their New Year’s Eve celebration runs from 11 a.m.–1 a.m.

Second Story Liquor Bar | 4166 N Scottsdale Rd
Second Story is a bar and restaurant that features over 300 whiskeys on its menu.

DJ’s Of Scottsdale | 7320 E Stetson Dr
DJ’s is a laid-back sports bar and restaurant with games and a patio. They will be open from 11 a.m.–2 a.m. for New Year’s Eve.

Citizen Public House | 7111 E 5th Ave
Citizen Public House is an upscale gastropub that’s offering a prix-fixe, three-course menu on New Year’s Eve, with seatings until 10:45 p.m. on Dec. 31.

AZ/88 | 7353 E Scottsdale Mall
AZ/88 is a contemporary gastropub with an exciting cocktail menu and art installations that change throughout the year. They will be open from 11 a.m. until midnight on New Year’s Eve.

Old Town Tavern | 7320 E Scottsdale Mall
Old Town Tavern offers live music, with Ben Chapman playing from 8 p.m. to midnight on New Year’s Eve.

If you’re looking to celebrate New Year’s Eve in style after the Fiesta Bowl, here are some of our Phoenix recommendations.

The Kettle Black Kitchen and Pub | 1 N 1st St
This traditional-style tavern will be open until 2 a.m. for New Year’s Eve celebrations.

Seamus McCaffrey’s Irish Pub | 18 W Monroe St
This Irish pub and restaurant has plenty of televisions for you to watch the ball drop and celebrate the New Year until 2 a.m.

Rough Rider | 1001 N Central Ave
Rough Rider is a sophisticated restaurant and bar serving Southern-style comfort food and craft cocktails.

Little Rituals | 132 S Central Ave
Little Rituals is Arizona’s most-awarded hotel bar. They’re hosting a “No-Hassle New Year’s Eve” with special evening drink packages, seating with a view, and bar-top seating. Reservations are available now.