Heading to the Packers-Lions game on Thursday? There are some changes at Lambeau fans should know

GREEN BAY ‒ Football fans will notice differences Thursday for the Green Bay Packers-Detroit Lions game at Lambeau Field.

For starters, Lambeau Field will be closed to non-ticketed fans on Thursday. Ticketed fans will be allowed into the atrium and Pro Shop at 1:15 p.m., but the parking lot will not open until 3:15 p.m. Ticketed fans can enter, leave and return to the stadium through the American Family Gate until 3:15 p.m. After that, re-entry won't be allowed. The game is scheduled for 7:15 p.m.

Also, when players are introduced before the game, stadium lights will be turned off so the team can use spotlights and flashing lights as players enter the field. Fans at the game are advised to watch the introductions on the video boards at each end of the stadium. It is recommended that fans get to their seats by 7 p.m.

Here's what else you need to know if you're going to the Packers-Lions game:

Packers vs. Cancer initiative to kick off

The Packers will kick off the Packers vs. Cancer initiative, which will run through October. The initiative will include a variety of fundraising efforts, including the sale of Packers vs. Cancer knit hats in the Packers Pro Shop. Each hat sold will raise $5 for the Vince Lombardi Cancer Foundation. Additionally, shoppers at the Pro Shop can add $1 or more to purchases through Oct. 16 that will go directly to the foundation.

Bellin Health will recognize cancer survivors, which will include a balloon launch at halftime.

Gold package ticket holders must update Packers Mobile App

Gold package ticket holders, who mostly hail from southern Wisconsin, must update their Packers Mobile Apps to ensure they can get into the game, just as Green package holders did for Sunday's game. The Packers said there were minimal problems Sunday.

The update is critical to the app’s integration with Ticketmaster, the NFL's official ticket manager. The update will be needed to access tickets through the app. All tickets are digital, so an electronic device is required..

Weather will by typical for fall

The weather forecast calls for partly cloudy skies and a low in the mid-50s. The high will be in the high 60s, so game time will probably be around 60.

Parking will be more expensive this year for most

Parking in the Lambeau Field lots will be $50 this season, a $10 increase from last year. That mostly affects season ticket holders, because few spaces remain for non-season ticket holders.

Parking in surrounding yards and business lots ranges from $20 to $60, depending on proximity to the stadium.

Lambeau Field parking lots open four hours before game time, which for Thursday's game will be 3:15 p.m.

More: Lambeau Field things to know for 1st home game: First, update Green Bay Packers app on your phone

Green Bay Metro provides free shuttle service

Green Bay Metro offers four free shuttle routes, with buses leaving to and from Lambeau on the half-hour from 3:30 to 7:10 p.m. and again from 10:15 to 11:45 p.m. Routes to Lambeau Field run from Green Bay Austin Straubel International Airport, downtown Green Bay, the far east side and points in between.

Lambeau Field is 4.4 miles from the airport and 3.4 miles from downtown Green Bay.

Tailgating allowed in Lambeau parking lots

Tailgating is allowed anywhere in the Lambeau Field parking lots, and in a number of private lots surrounding the stadium. The center of the tailgating universe at Lambeau Field is in Lot 1 on the east side of the stadium, near the Oneida Nation Gate.

Lambeau Field ranked as the best place to watch football

USA Today ranked Lambeau Field as the best stadium in the NFL.

"Lambeau Field remains every bit the old school experience you want it to be, rising from the suburban grid of Green Bay to welcome NFL pilgrims to its hallowed grounds. Between the history of the Hall of Fame and the frigid aluminum bench seats that freeze your Leinenkugel’s in the can each December, it’s perfect roughneck football. Go Pack Go," wrote reporter Christian D’Andrea.

More: The Athletic ranked all 30 NFL stadiums and Lambeau Field did quite well

Leave cash at home for Packers games

Lambeau Field is cashless. Everywhere.

Restaurants, ticket office, Hall of Fame, concession stands, seat rentals and parking lots — if the Packers run it, credit cards and digital pay are the only options.

As mentioned, there is no available last-minute stadium parking, but if there was, that would be cashless, too.

How to watch or listen to the game

The game will be broadcast on Amazon nationally and on NBC-26 in Green Bay and Fox6 in Milwaukee. Announcers will be Al Michaels doing play-by-play, with Kirk Herbstreit doing analysis and Kaylee Hartung on the sideline.

Fans also can listen to the game on the Packers radio network, whose flagship station is WRNW-FM, 97.3, in Milwaukee. In Green Bay, WIXX-FM, 101.1, carries the game. Wayne Larrivee and Larry McCarren call the game.

What's the Lambeau Field carry-in policy?

The Packers carry-in policy limits items that can be brought into the stadium and how they can be carried.

On the no-go list are bags, backpacks, coolers, strollers, umbrellas, duffel bags, large purses, noisemakers of any kind, fanny packs, food and beverages, selfie sticks, video cameras and still photo cameras with lenses over 12 inches.

What is allowed are clear bags not exceeding 12-by-6-12 inches or a 1-gallon, clear plastic bag, additional clothing, blankets, small clutch purses the size of a woman's hand, small cameras, binoculars and cellphones if carried loosely or in an approved clear bag.

The Green Bay Police Department offered this information after Sunday's game versus the New Orleans Saints: "Officers are continually turning away prohibited bags and items at the gate that will slow the lines down and cause fans to return their vehicles or discard the prohibited items."

Contact Richard Ryman at rryman@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @RichRymanPG, on Instagram at @rrymanPG or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/RichardRymanPG/.

This article originally appeared on Green Bay Press-Gazette: Packers-Lions game has some changes at Lambeau Field fans should know