Lambeau Field has some new features for fans to explore, plus other things to know for the Packers-Rams game
GREEN BAY – Green Bay Packers fans have some interesting new features to check out in the upper concourse at Lambeau Field during upcoming home games.
The Packers host the Los Angeles Rams at noon Sunday. The Packers are 2-5 and the Rams 3-5. Both teams lost games last weekend, so if the on-field play isn't thrilling this Sunday, the upper concourse might be a fun alternative for fans.
The Packers completed renovation of the upper concourse and many of its concessions stands before the season. Upgrades included new signs, LED video screens to convey information, advertising and on-field action, and a bolder, eye-pleasing green and gold color scheme, all while retaining the industrial/factory theme put in place when Lambeau was renovated in 2003.
Ten new grab-and-go concession stands were added to the concourse. Checkout scanners have tap-to-pay technology, which provides an alternative to swiping or inserting a card into a card terminal and can process transactions up to four times faster.
The Packers say the upper concourse served over 10 percent more fans during the first home games than during the same number of games last year. Some of the new locations, such as the beverage market at section 302 and the Miller Lite Endzone Bar, serve the fastest drinks in the building on gameday, the team said.
The new grab-and-go stands also allow fans to take a quick break from the weather, which might be more important in a few weeks.
Weather will be much like it was for the Vikings game
The weather forecasts are not much different than they were last week. They call for cloudy skies with a chance of showers and a high in the upper 40s.
Parking prices range from $15 to $60
Parking in the Lambeau Field lots is $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 $15 to $60, depending on proximity to the stadium. The $15 lots can be about a half-mile from Lambeau.
While Packers' operations are cashless, including for everything in Lambeau Field, yard and business-lot parking often requires cash.
Lambeau Field parking lots open four hours before game time, which for Sunday's game will be 8 a.m.
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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 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. and again from the end of the game until 4:30 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.
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 previously mentioned, there is no available last-minute stadium parking, but if there was, that would be cashless, too. However, if you are parking in the yards or lots not operated by the Packers, your cash will be accepted, and in most cases, preferred.
How to watch or listen to the game
The game will be broadcast on Fox network. Announcers will be Adam Amin doing play-by-play and Daryl Johnston providing analysis.
Fans 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-by-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: "Officers are continually turning away prohibited bags and items at the gate that will slow the lines down and cause fans to return (to) their vehicles or discard the prohibited items."
Population
Green Bay is the smallest market in the NFL, with a metro area population of 321,591, compared to Los Angeles' 13.3 million.
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/.
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 take on Rams in Green Bay. Here's what to know if you go
