Lambeau Field guide: What to know about the Green Bay Packers’ home stadium (2024)

Editor’s note: This article is part of theStadium Guidesseries, a comprehensive guide to your NFL team’s stadium experience.

Buy tickets on StubHub to Green Bay Packers games at Lambeau Field here.

There’s a sign just inside the security entrance at Lambeau Field that reads, “Today is somebody’s bucket list.” One of the most iconic venues in all of sports, not just in the country but worldwide, the home of the Green Bay Packers is the second-oldest NFL stadium. It’s revered for its history, charm and unique location in a regular Midwestern residential neighborhood. The featured attraction of the NFL’s smallest market, Lambeau holds an unmatched aura that you must experience in person to fully understand.

Nestled in the northeast corner of Wisconsin with football lore to last a lifetime, Lambeau carries an old-school feel with its metal bleachers fit for the hardest-core football fans. The team that has called it home since 1957 boasts 13 world championships, some of the greatest players to ever play the game and only six numbers retired in distinctive yellow font on the stadium walls. A giant replica of the Super Bowl trophy, named after the legendary Packers coach Vince Lombardi, stands in a window facing the road and offers a reminder as to where the home of football truly lies.

Whether it’s the iconic cheeseheads, wild fans going shirtless in the dead of winter or a light snowfall during a prime-time game in December, the game day experience in Green Bay almost always delivers for fans who both frequent the stadium and are checking off a visit on their bucket lists. While the stadium itself remains archaic (in a good way), the surrounding areas have modernized to offer the complete experience for sports fans looking to immerse themselves in football’s crown jewel.

The Athletic has compiled 32 stadium guides, one for each NFL team, to give fans vital information about the game day experience. We’ve also asked readers to weigh in on the best food, beer and tailgate options at each stadium, among other things, to help football fans enjoy their visit.

Insider tips

2024 must-watch game at stadium: vs. Miami Dolphins, Nov. 28

This is the Thanksgiving night game at Lambeau Field. That alone is enough reason for this to be a must-watch. Add in that it’s the high-powered Dolphins, and this would be an intriguing game no matter where or when it takes place.

Fan tradition to know: Ultimate pre-gaming

The experience doesn’t start once you get in the stadium. It starts on the ride in, when you see uniquely decorated fences with Packers imagery and wording and rented-out houses for the most diehard football fans lining Lombardi Avenue. You’ll have your pick of pregame tailgate spots, from parking lot to vast sports bar, to get you ready for a memorable stadium experience.

Matt Schneidman’s favorite thing

I enjoy listening to player introductions to see what kind of pop the main guys get. Packers fans bring the juice for player intros and the compact nature of the stadium keeps sound in a relatively confined space. As a reporter, I enjoy covering big games, and pretty much every game at Lambeau feels like a big game.

The Athletic’s stadium ranking: 3

Jon Machota ranked all 30 NFL stadiums in August 2023 and this is what he said about Lambeau Field:

It jumped up one spot from the previous rankings, landing No. 1 overall on six ballots. Lambeau has been home to the Packers since 1957. If watching a game outside in cold weather is a problem, this place might not be for you. But if you like history, it would be difficult to find a better spot to watch a game. They’ve done an excellent job of upgrading the stadium over the years while still providing a historic feel.

“The walk into Lambeau Field is unlike any other in the NFL,” Patriots reporter Chad Graff wrote. “The hearty locals here who own houses so close to the stadium it feels like you could throw a football there will often offer brats and beer to passers-by. Once inside, the deep bowl of rows is inspiring. It’s cohesive and packed with tradition without feeling run down. Visiting here should be a bucket list item for any NFL fan.”

Fans’ game day advice

The Athletic surveyed NFL fans for their feedback on the following questions:

What is the ‘best bang for your buck’ seating section?

Corners (107, 108, 131, 132) and toward the end zones (114, 113, 126, 125). The south end zone’s seats (any section starting with “7”) are usually the cheapest, but those seats get very cold if you’re going to a late-season game. If you’re going to Lambeau for the first time, you have to be in the bowl (the original part of the stadium). — Tom G.

The 600 level in the “new” south end zone is the best value at Lambeau. Not only do you get a dedicated seat (as opposed to bleacher space) and shelter from most of the elements due to the level above you, but you also get great sight lines. But the best part: That section was designed with plenty of concessions and restrooms. I can use the restroom and buy a beer and a hot dog and be back in my seat before the media timeout is over. — Phillip C.

What’s the can’t-miss food?

Brat or sausage. Specifically from Usinger’s. I don’t think they have Usinger’s in the stadium, but you can find them at someone’s tailgate. — Tom G.

Half the fun of going to a Packers home game is chowing down on the stadium bratwurst. I plan meals around this thing when I’m in town. It’s just an oversized, flavorful Johnsonville brat, to which I add mustard and onions — absolutely delicious. I can barely even finish one of those monsters sometimes, and yet I can’t stop eating. — Kevin G.

What’s the best beer option?

Spotted Cow. — Jacob P.

Leinenkugel’s. — Connor D.

Packers Pilsner. — Robert F.

Where is the best spot to take a photo?

Take a photo at the top of the Oneida gate or at the foot of the Lombardi statue. Oh, and if it’s a winter game, bring a kitchen rug for under your feet! — Susan C.

If you’re bringing first-timers, go into the bowl and get a video of them walking into the stadium. The awe and excitement on their faces is something you can’t fake. — Heidi N.

What are the kid-friendly activities/options at the stadium?

Titletown District. They have a sledding hill, skating rink and a football field. — Tom G.

Listening to the Tundra Line drummers in the tailgating lots. They rock. — Heidi N.

Where is the best place to tailgate?

The best tailgates are someone’s yard/garage. Lambeau is surrounded by neighborhoods, and some of the homeowners go all-out with their houses for tailgates. — Tom G.

No real wrong answer here. Actual tailgate parties in parking lots surrounding the stadium are great and generally friendly. Places like Stadium View and Anduzzi’s will have live music and often former players make appearances. If you’re not set on hosting your own tailgate, my recommendation would be to get parked early and wander for hours pregame before heading into the stadium. Maybe wander a little postgame as well while traffic disperses. — Kevin K.

What to know if you go

Stadium address: 1265 Lombardi Ave., Green Bay, Wis. 54304.

Year opened: 1957.

Roof?No roof.

Playing surface: Grass.

Stadium capacity: 81,441.

2023 average attendance per game (per Pro Football Reference): 77,830.

Tickets: $375 is the average StubHub ticket cost at Lambeau Field for a 2024 NFL game, according to StubHub. Lambeau Field has been sold out for season tickets since 1960. People wait for years on the team’s waiting list.

Bag policy: Bags that are clear plastic, vinyl or PVC and do not exceed 12 by 6 by 12 inches are allowed. This includes clear backpacks, clear fanny packs and clear cinch bags that fit within the permissible dimensions. No buckles, grommets/hardware or décor can be concealing any part of the bag. Small, non-clear bags that do not exceed 4 1/2 by 6 1/2 inches in size, with or without a handle or strap, can be taken into the stadium with an approved clear plastic bag. All other bags are prohibited.

Outside food policy: Bringing in food and beverages is prohibited.

ADA information: The Americans with Disabilities Act requires at least 1 percent of stadium seats to be wheelchair accessible. For more information on all accessibility services at Lambeau Field, click here.

Tailgating policy: Tailgating is permitted in Lambeau Field parking lots and some private lots around the stadium. Tailgating setups must be within a 9-by-6-foot space behind your parked vehicle to allow for pedestrian and vehicle traffic. Recreational fires such as wood fires and turkey fryers are not permitted, but charcoal or propane gas grills are allowed.

Transportation options: Green Bay Metro buses have routes that begin four hours before kickoff and run for approximately one hour following the game, leaving Lambeau Field every 30 minutes. Rideshare drivers meet at the corner of Mike McCarthy Way and Holmgren Way. All parking spaces in the lots surrounding Lambeau Field are sold out to holders of season parking passes. Free parking is available on many residential streets within walking distance of Lambeau Field.

Learn more: https://www.packers.com/lambeau-field/

The Stadium Guides series is part of a partnership with StubHub.

The Athletic maintains full editorial independence. Partners have no control over or input into the reporting or editing process and do not review stories before publication.

(Top illustration: Dan Goldfarb / The Athletic; photos: David E. Klutho / Sports Illustrated via Getty Images and Michael Reaves / Getty Images)