Maricopa County Arizona Fairgrounds Events

Maricopa County does not own a separate fairgrounds of its own. The Maricopa County Fair is held at the Arizona State Fairgrounds, officially the Arizona Exposition & State Fair, in central Phoenix. Anyone searching for “Maricopa County fairgrounds” is looking for this one property. It also hosts the Arizona State Fair every fall, the county’s junior livestock programs, home shows, concerts, and a long list of private events.

That split matters for planning. The county fair and the state fair are different events run by different organizations. They share a site and some traditions, but their dates, ticketing, entry rules, and contacts are separate. This guide covers both so you can tell which one you need.

Overview of Maricopa County Fairgrounds

Address and location

The grounds are at 1826 W. McDowell Road, Phoenix, AZ 85007, at the corner of 19th Avenue and McDowell Road. This is central-west Phoenix, a short drive from downtown and from the Encanto and Grand Avenue areas. The surrounding neighborhoods are older residential streets, so traffic on fair nights backs up onto surface roads rather than a rural highway.

Size and layout

The property covers roughly 88 acres. The Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum is the dominant building. It is a saddle-roofed arena built in the mid-1960s that seats about 14,870 for concerts. Around it are exhibit halls, livestock barns, an agricultural center, a shopping pavilion, a midway area with a Ferris wheel on the southeast corner, and parking lots on the north and west sides. The county fair uses the Coliseum halls, the Ag Center, exhibit buildings, the Sanderson Ford Arena, and the carnival grounds.

Who runs it

The land is operated by the Arizona Exposition & State Fair, a self-supporting state agency that does not draw from the state’s general fund. It pays its way through the fair, facility rentals, and events. The county fair is a separate production that rents the grounds each spring. Its fair office is on the property. For 4-H and youth projects, the University of Arizona Cooperative Extension office in Maricopa County coordinates participation.

Why it matters locally

The fairgrounds have been the site of the annual fair since 1905, and the fair itself dates to 1884, when it began as the Arizona Territorial Fair. For many Phoenix-area families, the grounds are where kids show a first steer or enter a first pie. It is also where their parents saw concerts at the Coliseum, and where the Phoenix Suns played their home games from 1968 to 1992, a stretch of years remembered as the “Madhouse on McDowell.”

Upcoming Events at Maricopa County Fairgrounds

What the calendar usually looks like

The grounds run on a recognizable yearly rhythm:

• Winter (January and February): Livestock and ag events, including the Arizona National Livestock Show, plus trade shows such as the Maricopa County Home & Garden Show and gun show weekends. January is the busiest month for indoor expos.
• Spring (March through April): Junior fair project days and the Maricopa County Fair, which fills the first half of April. Graduation ceremonies for high schools and colleges also use the Coliseum in spring.
• Summer: Mostly quiet because of the heat. Expect indoor events, rentals, and maintenance.
• Fall (October): The Arizona State Fair, which runs roughly a month and dominates the grounds.
• Year-round: Concerts, touring exhibits such as dinosaur shows, food festivals, flea markets, and private rentals.

Arizona State Fair 2026

The 2026 Arizona State Fair runs October 1 through November 1, Thursdays through Sundays, with the theme “A State of Wonder.” Gates open at noon. Last entry is 9 p.m. on Thursdays and Sundays and 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Barns close at 9 p.m. Parking lots on the north and west sides open at 10 a.m. Ticket prices and ride wristband deals change from year to year, so check the State Fair’s own site before you go.

How to find the current schedule

The most reliable sources are the Arizona State Fairgrounds’ official website and the Maricopa County Fair’s own site. The fair’s social media accounts post changes and deals. For 4-H and exhibitor questions, the Maricopa County Cooperative Extension office is the right call. Third-party event listings often lag behind official announcements, so treat them as a starting point only.

Renting the grounds

The grounds host outside groups regularly. Past years have included touring family attractions, food festivals, trade shows, cultural events, graduations, and private functions. The Coliseum, exhibit halls, and open lots are all rentable depending on the date. Contact the fairgrounds’ event sales staff through the official website for availability and pricing.

The Maricopa County Fair Itself

Dates

The fair is held in early April across two weekends, with Monday through Wednesday closed. The 2026 fair ran April 3 to 12. The 2027 fair is scheduled for April 2 to 4 and April 8 to 11. Dates in these schedules are sometimes adjusted, so confirm them on the fair’s website before planning travel.

Hours and admission

Gates generally open in the morning or around midday, with later closes on Fridays and Saturdays. Tickets are sold online and at the main gate, and buying ahead online usually costs less. Parking on the fairgrounds was $13 in 2026 and $12 in 2024, so expect it to creep up. The 2026 fair offered free admission for seniors 55 and over on Friday, plus discounted ride days and a discounted admission day. Whether those repeat in 2027 is worth checking. Pets are not allowed on the grounds. Rules for service animals should be checked with the fair office.

Competitive exhibits

The county fair draws entries from residents and youth across the county:

• Open and youth exhibits: Crafts, quilts, art, photography, culinary arts, sewing, science projects, and hobbies, displayed in the Exhibit Building.
• Livestock: Beef, swine, sheep, goats, and small stock raised and shown by 4-H and FFA members. The fair has an agriculture area that includes a hands-on exhibit called Arizona Ag & Ewe.
• Robotics and STEM displays, which the fair has featured in recent years.

Visitors interested in Maricopa County Arizona Fairgrounds Events can also explore regional gatherings through La Paz County Arizona Fairgrounds Events. Both locations offer opportunities to discover community traditions, enjoy seasonal activities, and plan memorable outings while exploring different parts of Arizona.

Midway and rides

A traveling carnival operates the midway. In 2024 the fair had about 31 rides, from kiddie rides like the Rio Train and Tommy Kangaroo to thrill rides such as the Super Shot Drop, Vertigo, and Turbo Speed. Two ticket structures are typical: admission only, or admission with unlimited rides. Discounted ride nights, such as a $2-per-ride Thursday in 2026, have been offered. The county fair offers most entertainment free with admission, which is one of its selling points compared with the larger State Fair.

Food

Fair food is the main reason many people go. Steve’s Smoking BBQ and its giant smoked turkey legs are a long-running staple next to the County Fair Stage. Past menus have included deep-fried coffee, a “Mac Doggie Dog,” and other deep-fried novelties. Food vendors change every year, so don’t count on any one stand.

Entertainment

Three stages operate during the fair: the Main Stage, the County Fair Stage, and the Community Stage. Local performers cover music, dance, martial arts, and magic. The County Fair Stage also hosts the county fair games. Motorsports in the Sanderson Ford Arena, including monster trucks and motocross or demo cross, have been a recurring draw. Other regular attractions have included an SRP Safety Zone for kids and a sea lion show.

Admission and savings

Typical savings come from buying tickets online in advance, going on discount days, and using free-admission offers for seniors. School field trips have been free in past years. Sign-up goes through the fair office. Because pricing and discounts change every year, rely on the current fair site rather than prior-year numbers.

Facilities and Grounds

Buildings

The grounds include the Veterans Memorial Coliseum (with North and South Halls), the Ag Center, exhibit buildings, a shopping pavilion, the Party Gras Building, and the Sanderson Ford Arena. The Party Gras Building has hosted 4-H general project check-in days.

Livestock barns

Barns on the grounds house cattle, swine, sheep, goats, and small animals during the fair and livestock shows. Stall assignments are handled by the fair or show organizer, not by walk-up rental, so exhibitors should confirm procedures when entering.

Grandstand and arena

The Coliseum is the large venue, at roughly 14,870 seats for concerts. The Sanderson Ford Arena handles motorsports and livestock events during the county fair. Old track remnants date from the grounds’ racing years, which ended in the 1960s.

Vendor space

Commercial vendors use the shopping pavilion and the Coliseum halls at the State Fair. The county fair has its own vendor areas and a shopping pavilion.

Camping and RV

Whether the fairgrounds offer RV or camping hookups should be confirmed with the fair office, since it is not a core feature of this urban site. Hotels and RV parks in west Phoenix and along I-10 are the usual alternative.

Accessibility

The grounds are largely flat, and accessible parking and restrooms are provided at fair events. Wheelchair and mobility device rentals have been offered at larger fairs in the past. Call the fair office ahead of time for current ADA services and drop-off arrangements.

Parking and on-site amenities

Fair parking is on site, with north and west lots as the main options. Concession stands, first aid, and a security office near the southwest corner of the Coliseum operate during fairs. ATMs are typical but not guaranteed, so bring cash for smaller vendors.

Vendor and Exhibitor Information

Commercial vendors

For the county fair, contact the fair office. It is staffed on the grounds and can send application details. For the State Fair, applications are handled through the Arizona State Fair’s vendor pages, with separate processes for food concessionaires and non-food commercial vendors. Non-food applications have been accepted up until opening day when space is available. Vendors typically need proof of insurance naming the fair as an additional insured. Credentials usually include fair admission and vendor parking.

Competitive entries

The county fair publishes a premium book each year with categories, rules, and deadlines. The State Fair has separate handbooks and online entry portals for 4-H, agriculture, culinary, horticulture, home arts, student art, fine art, and photography. The State Fair exhibit office is reachable at 602-257-7130. An entry is not valid until the fair office has received and approved it.

Contacts

The Maricopa County Fair office phone listed in recent years is 602-252-0717. Confirm it on the fair’s website before relying on it.

Getting to Maricopa County Fairgrounds

By car

From downtown Phoenix, head west on McDowell Road to 19th Avenue. From the east Valley (Tempe, Mesa, Chandler), use I-10 west and exit toward 19th Avenue, then go north to McDowell. From the north Valley, I-17 south connects to McDowell Road or to I-10. From the west side, I-10 east leads to the same 19th Avenue approach. Expect heavy traffic near the grounds on weekend fair evenings, so arrive early.

Transit and rideshare

Valley Metro bus service runs along McDowell Road and 19th Avenue, but routes and frequency change, so check current maps before relying on them. Rideshare drop-off areas are usually set up near the main gates during fairs, and pickup after the fair can be slow when crowds leave. Walk a few blocks away from the main gates to speed up a pickup.

4-H and FFA at Maricopa County Fairgrounds

Extension’s role

The University of Arizona Cooperative Extension office in Maricopa County runs the 4-H program that feeds the county fair. It organizes project check-in days, such as the general projects day held in March in 2025, and coordinates committees for livestock, small stock, and shooting sports. Calendar dates are posted on the extension’s events pages.

Clubs and chapters

Maricopa County has a large number of 4-H clubs and FFA chapters across the Valley. I don’t have a verified count, so check with the extension office for the current number. FFA members from high schools around Phoenix and the surrounding cities show livestock and other projects at the fair and at the Arizona National Livestock Show.

Junior livestock auction

The county fair holds auctions at the Ag Center over several days. Youth sell their market animals to local businesses and individuals, and the proceeds go to the exhibitor, typically to cover costs and fund future projects or education. Buyers can be individuals, businesses, or groups who pool bids. Contact the fair office for the auction schedule, registration steps, and buyer rules.

Special Events Beyond the Annual Fair

Shows and markets

The fairgrounds host recurring gun shows, including the Crossroads of the West series, along with home and garden shows, swap meet-style events, and craft and food festivals.

Rodeos and livestock

Rodeo and horse events have been listed on the fairgrounds’ calendar in past seasons, and the Arizona National Livestock Show is an established winter event.

Concerts and touring acts

The Coliseum hosts concerts throughout the year. During the State Fair, a Coliseum concert series runs with reserved seating, and show tickets include fair admission.

Community use

Graduations are a regular spring use of the Coliseum. Touring family attractions, such as dinosaur exhibits, and food festivals like Foodieland have also come through in recent years.

History of Maricopa County Fairgrounds

The first Arizona Territorial Fair took place in 1884 near the Salt River just west of Central Avenue, four years after Phoenix incorporated. Early fairgoers saw horse, pony, and mule races alongside agriculture, home economics, and cattle exhibits. A flood in 1891 washed out the original site and the fair lapsed. Phoenix Mayor John C. Adams later led an effort to raise private funds to buy about 80 acres northwest of the city, at what is now McDowell Road and 19th Avenue. That site was purchased in the early 1900s and has hosted the fair since 1905. It was called the territorial fair until 1911 and became the state fair in 1912. Racetracks and a wooden grandstand were built early on, and car racing continued until the 1960s, when part of the track gave way to the Coliseum, built around 1964 and 1965.

The Coliseum has hosted major acts over the years, including Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jimi Hendrix, the Doors, and the Rolling Stones, and it welcomed Pope John Paul II in 1987. The State Fair has been interrupted several times: by a cotton crop failure, the World Wars, the Depression, and the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. It has run every year since 2021. The 2023 State Fair drew about 1.4 million visitors, and the 140th anniversary in 2024 came with a heritage museum in the Coliseum’s North Hall.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the Maricopa County Fair in 2026-2027?

The 2026 fair ran April 3 to 12. The 2027 fair is scheduled for April 2 to 4 and April 8 to 11, with Monday through Wednesday closed. Confirm on the fair’s website.

When is the Arizona State Fair in 2026?

October 1 through November 1, 2026, Thursdays through Sundays.

What time does Maricopa County Fairgrounds open?

It depends on the event. The State Fair gates open at noon, and parking lots open at 10 a.m. County fair hours are posted each year on its website.

Is there camping at Maricopa County Fairgrounds?

Camping is not a known feature of this urban site. Ask the fair office about any RV arrangements, and plan on nearby hotels or RV parks.

How do I enter livestock in the Maricopa County Fair?

Youth entries go through 4-H or FFA, and the county fair publishes a premium book with rules and deadlines. Contact the Maricopa County Cooperative Extension office or the fair office.

Are dogs allowed at Maricopa County Fairgrounds?

Pets are not allowed at the county fair. Service dogs are welcome at the State Fair when leashed or otherwise controlled, but they are not permitted on rides.

Where do I park at Maricopa County Fairgrounds?

Fair parking is on the grounds, with north and west lots. County fair parking was $13 per vehicle in 2026.

Who do I contact to rent Maricopa County Fairgrounds?

Contact the Arizona Exposition & State Fair’s event sales team through the fairgrounds’ official website.

How much does it cost to get into the Maricopa County Fair?

Prices change yearly and are lower when bought online. Discounts have included senior free-admission days and discount ride nights. Check the fair’s website for current prices.

Can kids get in free?

Policies vary by year. Past county fair listings have allowed younger children in free, and the State Fair offers free admission for children under 4. Check the current year’s ticket page.

Items to confirm locally: the 2027 county fair dates and prices, the fair office phone number, camping or RV options, accessibility services, the current count of 4-H clubs, and the junior auction schedule.