As fans are preparing for Friday night's preseason game against the Oakland Raiders, the Packers are reminding game attendees that enhanced safety measures, implemented by the NFL last season, limit the type and size of bags and stadium seats that can be carried into Lambeau Field.
As was previously announced, no bags or purses will be allowed inside Lambeau Field unless they are clear plastic, vinyl or PVC and are no larger than 12" by 6" by 12". Small clutches that do not exceed 4.5" by 6.5" are permitted. Stadium cushions are also not allowed, however, stadium seats and stadium pads that contain no pockets or zippers and are 18" wide or smaller are allowed. For more information on the NFL's safety policy, please visit nfl.com/allclear.
It is recommended that fans allow an appropriate amount of time for entry into Lambeau Field. Gates open two hours prior to kickoff. The new American Family Insurance Gate will also be open for fans with seats on the east side of the stadium. Fans are reminded to enter at the gate printed on their ticket.
Law enforcement officials are reminding fans to use caution while driving through construction zones on the way to and from Lambeau Field. To avoid congestion at the Hwy. 172 interchange, fans heading south on Hwy 41 after the game should use Ashland Avenue through the roundabout in De Pere to reach the highway. For more information, visit the Wisconsin DOT's website at www.511wi.gov/web/default.aspx or by dialing 511.
Friday's game will continue the Packers' recognition of USA Football Month as the Packers have invited four teams from the All-American Youth Football League in the Milwaukee area to play each other on the field during halftime. The teams will also be on the field during the national anthem. In addition, the Packers have donated more than 3,000 tickets split between the team's preseason home games to youth football leagues throughout Wisconsin.
USA Football is the official youth football development partner of the Green Bay Packers, the NFL, the NFL Players Association and the league's other 31 teams. 'USA Football Month,' a national campaign that takes place throughout the NFL preseason, incorporates youth football scrimmages at NFL stadiums and shares USA Football messages during network preseason telecasts.
USA Football also developed the Heads Up Football program in order to address the complex challenges of player health and safety in youth and high school football. It also hosts player safety clinics to help coaches implement safety initiatives. Additional details can be found online at usafootball.com.
The Packers will also recognize two groups of soldiers from the Wisconsin Army National Guard before Friday's game. One group of soldiers will complete their commissioning program next August and the other group will take an oath of extension on the field before the game, formalizing continued service for the next three to six years.
The Green Bay Metro gameday bus service is available again this year, with extended service to several areas of Green Bay. Further details and gameday route information is available at greenbaymetro.org/en-us/packers/default.aspx.
Friday's game is the annual Midwest Shrine game.Since its inception in 1950, the game has raised more than $3.4 million for the Midwest Shrine's burn centers and hospitals. Janine Brass will be performing the national anthem. Brass is a former patient of the Shrine Hospital and has been a fan favorite at the Shrine game for many years.
Also taking place at Friday night's preseason game is the premier gameday tailgate party in the Tundra Tailgate Zone (TTZ) in the Lambeau Field parking lot. Activities include photo opportunities, interactive games and food and beverage sampling. More information on the Tundra Tailgate Zone can be found online at packers.com/gameday/gameday-information.html#s3.
Friday's game will feature magnetic game schedules as the game giveaway, compliments of Cenex.
The Packers Pro Shop will be open to all guests through the entrance facing Lombardi Avenue between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. TheLambeau Field Atrium and guest relations desk will open at 3 p.m. for ticketed guests only. The Lambeau Field parking lot will open at 3 p.m. along with the Tundra Tailgate Zone. Gates will open at 5 p.m. For more gameday information, visit packers.com/gameday/gameday-information.html.
