Things to know for Sunday's Packers game: Forecast is cloudy with a chance of Vikings fans
GREEN BAY – The good news is, the chance of rain on Sunday seems to be diminishing. The bad news is, the Minnesota Vikings seem to be going the other direction after defeating the San Francisco 49ers Monday night.
Packers fans attending Sunday's noon game at Lambeau Field should come prepared for the Vikings — and/or nature — raining on their parade. The Packers are 2-4 and struggling, the Vikings are 3-4 after defeating one of the NFL's better teams. But the Vikings also will play on a short week, for what that might be worth.
According to ticket marketplace Vivid Seats, about one-third of fans at the game might be wearing purple and white instead of green and gold.
On the plus side, the Packers are 3-1 against the Vikings at Lambeau since Matt LaFleur was named head coach. But — and it's a big "but" — that was with future Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers and a cast of mostly veteran receivers.
Forget sunny fall weather for Sunday
The weather forecast calls for cloudy skies, with a chance of showers and a high in the mid-40s. Depending on whose forecast you consult, the chance of showers may or may not be dropped.
Remember that umbrellas are not allowed in Lambeau Field.
Parking prices range from $20 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 $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 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. and again from 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.
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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 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 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 Fox network. Announcers will be Kenny Albert doing play-by-play, Jonathan Vilma doing analysis and Shannon Spake on the sidelines.
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-6-12 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."
Population
Green Bay is the smallest market in the NFL, with a metro area population of 321,591, compared to Minneapolis/St. Paul's 3.6 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/.
This article originally appeared on Green Bay Press-Gazette: Green Bay Packers face Minnesota Vikings in first home game in a month
