VenuesNow 2025 All-Star Honoree: Melissa Wasson

MELISSA WASSON
General Manager
State Farm Stadium

FROM PHX TO FIREAID:
State Farm Stadium was a temporary home for the L.A. Rams during wildfires.

Stadium venue avails have become a hot ticket post-COVID, and State Farm Stadium, home of the NFL’s Arizona Cardinals and host of NCAA Football’s annual Fiesta Bowl, is one of those riding a wave of success as touring artists take the size and scale of their concert productions to new levels.

State Farm Stadium general manager Melissa Wasson leads the charge at the Glendale, Arizona, venue, which has seen record revenue despite the recent economic uncertainty, hosting 12 major special non-football events in the past year.

“[The venue] has seen stadium events remain at a high level of demand, but we put our stake in delivering the best employee and fan experience as possible,” says Wasson, who previously served as assistant GM for 13 years before being promoted in 2024.

It’s been quite a few years for the NFL stadium. It had one of the biggest shows of 2023 with George Strait, Chris Stapleton and Little Big Town. The sold-out concert grossed a whopping $16.3 million off 57,843 tickets sold. Other recent concerts came from The Rolling Stones, Beyoncé, The Weeknd, Luke Combs and Post Malone.

The ASM Global/Legends-operated venue even made fans of Los Angeles Rams followers earlier this year by stepping up to help the displaced SoCal NFL team host a wild card postseason game amid the wildfires blazing through the region, an accomplishment Wasson takes great pride in. 

“It was amazing to see the collaboration with the Cardinals and other stakeholders to turn State Farm Stadium into a home venue for L.A.,” Wasson says. “With less than two weeks’ notice, all partners worked together to ensure the operations of the game were perfect — and then turned the venue over for a dirt show shortly afterwards.”

Wasson also takes the time to serve as treasurer and board member of the Stadium Managers Association and help local women in need.

“WISE Arizona provides women resources and relationships that further careers,” she says. “I have been a mentor and encourage staff to become involved.”