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

GREEN BAY – Green Bay Packers fans, and anyone else attending Sunday's game against the New Orleans Saints, are advised, warned even, to download the latest version of the Packers Mobile App.

The Packers advise fans to update or download the Packers Mobile App on their cellphones and electronic devices before the game Sunday, otherwise they'll find themselves trying to do it while standing in line, which might not work and, in any case, will take longer to get into the stadium.

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.

To avoid internet connectivity issues, Packers fans should download the latest version of the app before arriving at Lambeau Field. The app is available for download in the Apple App Store for iOS devices or the Google Play Store for Android phones.

Additionally, iPhone users must ensure that no tickets within their Ticketmaster account have been downloaded to another user’s Apple Wallet. Ticketmaster accounts can only be linked to one Apple ID. If ticket holders want to allow someone else to use their tickets, they should transfer the tickets using the instructions listed at packers.com/tickets/mobile-ticketing.

Once the app is updated, fans should verify they are logged in to their account by tapping “Account” at the top right of the app and selecting “My Packers Account.” The location of the “Account” button was moved from the app’s bottom tile to the upper right corner in the new version. Next, tap “Sign in to Packers” and follow login prompts using Ticketmaster account information.

Game attendees should add any tickets they plan to use for upcoming games to their smartphone’s digital wallet if available to ensure tickets are accessible regardless of the internet connection at the stadium gates.

Users should ensure mobile devices have the most up-to-date operating system installed before coming to Lambeau Field; iOS 16.4 or later and Android 8 or later are required to use the "Add to Wallet" function. If mobile tickets are not saved to a digital wallet, fans can still access their tickets via the Packers app or a web browser.

So, once you actually get into the stadium, here are some other things to know:

The Saints are still undefeated

The New Orleans Saints are one of two teams remaining on the Packers' schedule that are undefeated. The other is the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Packers lead the all-time series 17-10-0, but New Orleans won three of the last four games, including 38-3 in 2021 in a New Orleans home game played in Jacksonville, Florida.

Green Bay weather forecast

The weather forecast vacillates between partly sunny and cloudy skies with a high of 70. That's pretty good football weather if showers hold off until later in the day.

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 Sunday's game will be 8 a.m.

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.

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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 is 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

What times does Lambeau open?

The Lambeau Field Atrium opens to ticketed fans at 8 a.m. To enter the atrium before the stadium seating areas open (two hours before kickoff), enter at the American Family Insurance Gate on the east side of the stadium.

All other gates, including the Miller Lite Gate and Oneida Nation Gate, open two hours before kickoff.

Leave cash at home

Lambeau Field is cashless. Everywhere.

Restaurants, Pro Shop, 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.

Digital ticket information

The Packers use pedestal-style ticket scanners that should speed up the time it takes for fans to enter Lambeau Field (assuming they followed the instructions at the start of this story), which means less time standing in line waiting to get in and possibly more time tailgating beforehand.

The scanners work with Apple products, such as iPhones and Apple watches, and Android phones, using the Wallet function or QR codes.

Scanners also are installed at the entrances to suites.

Fans are asked to go to gates noted on their tickets to make entrance into the stadium faster and more efficient.

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.

How to watch or listen to the game

The game will be broadcast on Fox. Kenny Albert (play-by-play), Jonathan Vilma (analyst) and Shannon Spake (in-game reporter) will call the Packers game for the second weekend in a row.

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.

Population

Green Bay is the smallest market in the NFL, with a metro area population of 321,591, compared with New Orleans' 1.27 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/.

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This article originally appeared on Green Bay Press-Gazette: Lambeau Field things to know: First, update Packers app on your phone