Sun Bowl Stadium Concert Guide El Paso 2026: Tips for BTS, Post Malone, and Every Show This Spring
Sun Bowl Stadium is about to host the biggest concert month in El Paso history. BTS performs two nights on May 2 and May 3. Post Malone and Jelly Roll kick off The BIG ASS Stadium Tour Part 2 on May 13. Both events are stadium-scale productions at a venue that proved it could handle exactly this kind of moment when Coldplay sold out two consecutive nights in June 2025.
Whether you have lived in El Paso your entire life or you are flying in from across the country for one of these shows, this guide covers everything you need to walk through the gates prepared. Parking, bag rules, seating, weather, timing, accessibility — it is all here. Bookmark this page, send it to your group chat, and show up ready to enjoy the night instead of scrambling at the entrance.
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Venue | Sun Bowl Stadium |
| Address | 2701 Sun Bowl Dr, El Paso, TX 79902 |
| Campus | University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) |
| Year Opened | 1963 |
| Bowl Seating | 46,098 seats including 120 wheelchair spaces |
| Parking Spaces | Approximately 7,900 across surrounding lots |
| Box Office | UTEP Ticket Center — Mon–Fri 8AM–6PM, Sat 10AM–4PM |
| Event Day Box Office | Opens 2 hours before showtime at Sun Bowl North entrance |
| Directions from I-10 | Exit 18A (Schuster/Sun Bowl), follow Sun Bowl Dr through two roundabouts, right onto Glory Rd |
| From Airport | Approximately 15–20 minutes via I-10 |
| Rideshare Drop-Off | Designated area near Glory Road Transit Center (north end of stadium) |
| Bag Policy | Clear bags only — 12″ x 6″ x 12″ max, or clutch 4.5″ x 6.5″ max |
| Prohibited Items | Cameras, video cameras, coolers, outside food and drinks |
| Re-Entry | No re-entry for any reason |
| ADA | Wheelchair sections, companion seats, elevators, accessible restrooms |
| May 2026 Shows | BTS Arirang World Tour (May 2–3, 8 PM) · Post Malone BIG ASS Stadium Tour (May 13, 7:30 PM) |
Sun Bowl Stadium in May 2026 is going to be electric. BTS, Post Malone, Jelly Roll, Carter Faith — all on the same stage within eleven days. Share this guide with your concert crew, bookmark it for game day, and follow VenPro Solutions for continuing El Paso concert coverage all spring.
How to Get to Sun Bowl Stadium
Sun Bowl Stadium sits on the UTEP campus at the base of the Franklin Mountains. Getting there is straightforward, but concert traffic changes everything — so plan your route before you leave.
From I-10: Take Exit 18A (Schuster/Sun Bowl). Follow Sun Bowl Drive and continue through the first roundabout. At the second roundabout, turn right onto Glory Road. The stadium will be on your right. This is the most direct route and the one most concertgoers will use, which means it will also be the most congested two hours before showtime.
From El Paso International Airport: The drive is approximately 15 to 20 minutes via I-10. Follow the same Schuster/Sun Bowl exit. If you are flying in for BTS or Post Malone, consider heading to your hotel first and taking a rideshare to the stadium to avoid parking headaches entirely.
Rideshare: Uber and Lyft pickup and drop-off is designated near the Glory Road Transit Center on the north end of the stadium. During the Coldplay concerts in 2025, this was the designated rideshare lot. Expect the same setup for May 2026 shows. After the concert, be prepared for surge pricing and wait times — 50,000 people leaving at once creates demand spikes.
Rally Bus Service: For the BTS dates, Rally is offering round-trip charter bus transportation directly to Sun Bowl Stadium. This is a strong option if you are coming from outside El Paso or want to skip driving and parking entirely. Buses include restrooms, comfortable seating, and real-time tracking through the Rally app.
El Paso Streetcar: During Coldplay, the El Paso Streetcar offered free rides from Downtown to the stadium with service running until midnight. There has been no official announcement for May 2026 yet, but it is worth checking closer to the event dates.
The bottom line: Arrive early. Traffic on Sun Bowl Drive and University Avenue builds fast, and once the lots fill, your options narrow quickly. Give yourself at least 90 minutes of buffer before showtime.
Parking at Sun Bowl Stadium
Sun Bowl Stadium has approximately 7,900 parking spaces spread across multiple lots surrounding the stadium and the UTEP campus. That sounds like a lot until 46,000 fans try to use them at once.
Where to park: Lots are located off Schuster Avenue south of the stadium, along Sun Bowl Drive north of the Don Haskins Center, on the inner UTEP campus, and on limited side streets adjacent to campus. Watch for posted parking signs in residential areas — the university and city enforce them on event days.
What to expect on pricing: During the Coldplay concerts in 2025, general parking was $30 per vehicle and closer spots ran $40. Parking was sold only on the day of the event and paid at the entrance to each lot. Expect a similar structure for BTS and Post Malone, though exact pricing for May 2026 shows has not been officially announced yet.
Sun Bowl Drive Parking Garage: The parking garage at the south end of the stadium typically requires advance purchase through the Sun Bowl Association office. Passes must be purchased no later than the day before the event. This is a solid option if you want a guaranteed covered spot, but it fills up quickly once the word gets out.
Electric vehicles can park at a reduced cost. Bicycles and electric scooters park free at the GR1 lot. If you live nearby, two wheels might be the smartest option.
No overnight parking is allowed in any lot except the RV lot at SC-1 off Schuster Avenue. Oversized vehicles like RVs, campers, and trailers pay a $50 fee for that lot.
Pro tip: If you are attending both BTS nights (May 2 and 3), scout your parking on night one and lock in your timing for night two. Knowing which lot to target and when to arrive saves you thirty minutes of circling.
The Clear Bag Policy and What You Cannot Bring
Sun Bowl Stadium enforces a clear bag policy for all concerts. This is not optional and it is not flexible. Security will turn you away at the gate if your bag does not comply.
What is allowed: Clear plastic, vinyl, or PVC bags no larger than 12 inches by 6 inches by 12 inches. A small clutch purse no bigger than 4.5 inches by 6.5 inches — this does not need to be clear. A one-gallon plastic storage bag also qualifies.
What is not allowed: Backpacks, oversized purses, opaque tote bags, camera bags, fanny packs that are not clear, and anything that does not fit the size requirements. No cameras or video cameras of any kind — professional equipment will not make it past security. Phone cameras are fine. No outside food, drinks, or coolers.
All patrons are subject to search and wanding by security personnel at the entrance. Promoters, security, and performers are not responsible for items surrendered during the search process. Leave anything nonessential in your car.
There is no re-entry. Once you exit the stadium, you cannot come back in for any reason. A new ticket must be purchased to re-enter. Plan your evening from start to finish before you walk through the gates.
Concessions are available inside the stadium. Expect Southwest-flavored food options alongside standard stadium fare. Bring cash and cards — lines get long during set breaks, so consider buying food and drinks early.
Seating, ADA Access, and What the View Is Like
Sun Bowl Stadium holds 46,098 seats in a bowl configuration that wraps around the field. Beyond general seating, the venue includes 4 indoor suites, 26 outdoor loge boxes, the GECU Terrace outdoor club with bar-height seating overlooking the field, and the Hunt Family Sky Lounge with 104 indoor club seats. VIP and premium ticket holders should check their specific event for check-in times and gate locations — during Coldplay, VIP check-ins opened at the north gate several hours before showtime.
For BTS: The Arirang World Tour features a 360-degree stage setup designed to reach every section of the stadium. There is genuinely no bad seat. The production includes massive LED walls and choreography sequences that use the full stadium floor. Whether you are in the lower bowl or the upper deck, you will see and hear everything.
For Post Malone: The BIG ASS Stadium Tour features state-of-the-art LED displays, pyrotechnics, and a signature floating stage element that carries Post Malone over the crowd during ballads like “Circles.” The stage is designed for full stadium visibility from every angle.
ADA seating is available throughout the stadium with multiple wheelchair-accessible sections, companion seats, elevators to upper levels, and accessible restrooms on multiple levels. If you need ADA accommodations, contact the UTEP Ticket Center in advance to ensure you are seated in the appropriate section.
The backdrop: One thing no other stadium on these tours can offer is the view. Sun Bowl Stadium sits at the base of the Franklin Mountains. As the sun sets during an evening concert, the mountains turn amber and then deep navy against the desert sky. For BTS fans, if the Star on the Mountain GoFundMe succeeds, that mountain backdrop will glow purple both nights. It is a visual experience that adds something no indoor arena can match.
El Paso Weather in May — What to Wear and How to Prepare
El Paso in May is warm, dry, and sunny. That combination is perfect for outdoor concerts — but it also means you need to prepare for the desert.
Temperatures average highs around 88°F (31°C) with lows dropping to 56°F (13°C) after dark. The BTS shows start at 8 PM, right around sunset. The Post Malone show starts at 7:30 PM, meaning the sun will still be up when gates open and for the first part of the evening. By the time encores hit, expect a noticeable temperature drop.
Humidity sits around 22 percent in May. That is desert-dry. You will not feel sticky, but you will dehydrate faster than you expect — especially standing in a crowd for three hours. Drink water before you arrive, and buy water inside the stadium early.
Sun protection matters even for evening shows. If gates open two hours before showtime, you will be in direct sunlight for a significant stretch. Wear sunscreen, bring sunglasses, and consider a hat if you are in uncovered seating.
Dress in layers. A t-shirt or light top is fine during the day and early evening. Bring a light jacket or hoodie you can tie around your waist for when temperatures drop after sunset. Comfortable shoes are a must — you will be walking across parking lots, climbing stadium stairs, and standing for long stretches.
Rain is extremely unlikely. May averages only about 2 days of precipitation across the entire month. Dust is more of a concern than rain in the El Paso desert.
May 2026 Concert Schedule at Sun Bowl Stadium
Here is what is coming to Sun Bowl Stadium this May:
BTS WORLD TOUR ‘ARIRANG’ IN EL PASO — Saturday, May 2 and Sunday, May 3, 2026 at 8 PM. Two nights of the biggest K-pop group on the planet performing their comeback album on a 360-degree stage. Both dates sold out almost instantly. Additional face-value tickets were released through Ticketmaster on April 13. Full details in our guide: BTS El Paso 2026: Tickets, Setlist, Fan Events, and What ARMY Needs to Know.
Post Malone Presents: The BIG ASS Stadium Tour Part 2 — Wednesday, May 13, 2026 at 7:30 PM. Post Malone, Jelly Roll, and Carter Faith. El Paso is the first standalone stadium date on the entire 23-city North American tour. Tickets available through Ticketmaster and Live Nation. Full details in our guide: Post Malone El Paso 2026: Dates, Tickets, Setlist, and What to Expect at Sun Bowl Stadium.
This run follows Coldplay’s two sold-out nights at Sun Bowl in June 2025, which UTEP President Heather Wilson called “transformative” for putting El Paso on the map as a city capable of hosting large-scale, complex stadium events. That momentum is now paying off. National promoters, global artists, and touring productions are choosing El Paso — and Sun Bowl Stadium is the reason.
How to Score Free Tickets to Sun Bowl Shows This May
If you missed the initial ticket sales or the prices are out of reach, there is still a way in.
The Coffee Spot in El Paso is running the Sip, Snap & Win Photo Contest right now. The grand prize is a premium VIP package for two to the Post Malone show on May 13 — valued between $2,000 and $3,000. Two runner-up winners each receive a pair of BTS Arirang tickets for May 2 or May 3, valued between $800 and $1,200 per set.
All you need to do is visit The Coffee Spot at The Shoppes at Solana, snap a creative photo featuring their specialty drinks, and submit it on Instagram or Facebook with #SipSnapWinElPaso and a tag to @thecoffeespot915. A free Google Form entry is also available in-store. No purchase necessary. The contest runs through approximately May 10, 2026.
Full contest details, rules, and photo tips are in our complete guide: Win Free Concert Tickets in El Paso 2026 — All It Takes Is a Photo and a Coffee.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the bag policy at Sun Bowl Stadium?
Clear bags only — 12″ x 6″ x 12″ maximum. Small clutch purses up to 4.5″ x 6.5″ are also allowed. No backpacks, no opaque bags, no exceptions.
Where do I park?
Approximately 7,900 spaces are available across lots surrounding the stadium and UTEP campus. Arrive early. Lots off Schuster Avenue and Sun Bowl Drive fill first. The Sun Bowl Drive parking garage requires advance purchase.
How early should I arrive?
At least 90 minutes before showtime. Parking lots fill fast, security lines build quickly, and finding your seat in a 46,000-capacity stadium takes time. VIP ticket holders should check their specific check-in times.
Is there re-entry?
No. Once you leave the stadium, you cannot return. A new ticket is required to re-enter.
What is the weather like in May?
Warm and dry. Expect highs around 88°F and lows near 56°F. Humidity is low at around 22 percent. Wear sunscreen, stay hydrated, and bring a light layer for after sunset.
Where is the rideshare drop-off?
Designated pickup and drop-off is near the Glory Road Transit Center at the north end of the stadium.
Is Sun Bowl Stadium ADA accessible?
Yes. Multiple wheelchair-accessible sections, companion seats, elevators to upper levels, and accessible restrooms are available throughout the stadium.
Can I win free tickets to the shows?
Yes. The Coffee Spot’s Sip, Snap & Win Photo Contest is giving away VIP Post Malone tickets and BTS Arirang tickets. No purchase necessary. Visit @thecoffeespot915 on Instagram for details.