GREEN BAY – While Lambeau Field is still closed on game days to ticketed fans, Sunday’s game between the Green Bay Packers and the Chicago Bears will host a small group of Packers employees and their household family in the stadium bowl to help evaluate COVID-19 protocols being implemented.
The team is hopeful hosting ticketed fans will be possible in the coming weeks, so the small group invited to Sunday’s game will be part of the process of evaluating the enhanced protocols for fan attendance.
The guests – approximately 500 – will model operations such as concession stand and restroom usage, signage effectiveness and positioning and distancing of seating pods throughout the stadium bowl.
“We want to ensure we’re ready to host fans if that time comes,” said Packers President/CEO Mark Murphy. “We’ve worked closely with Bellin Health and local public health leadership to implement protocols that have been refined over the last few months. These protocols have been successful at other NFL facilities, and we are confident in our operations and this small group of staff and family members will follow the protocols.”
Gameday guests must comply with the new seat policy, which requires attendees to remain within their socially distanced household pod of seats unless using the restroom or purchasing food or beverages.
Other protocols include the use of mobile tickets as the method of entry, enhanced cleaning measures, hand sanitizer stations throughout the concourse, cashless concession locations and required face coverings unless actively eating or drinking.
Tailgating in the Lambeau parking lots is also prohibited for Sunday’s guests.
While COVID-19 cases are trending upward nationally, no local COVID-19 case clusters have been traced to NFL games, according to the relevant health departments in NFL cities.
Through week 10, the NFL had a total of 65 games with more than 550,000 fans in attendance.
The Packers will also not host ticketed fans at the Philadelphia Eagles game Dec. 6.
If the team can host ticketed fans later this season, season ticket holders who have opted in for the opportunity to purchase tickets will receive instructions about the ticket-purchasing process at a later date.
Titletown happenings
The ice rink at Titletown is now open.
Masks are mandatory for every person over the age of 2 at Titletown and must be worn at all times throughout the park unless actively eating or drinking, including while skating and tubing.
Other procedures aimed at limiting the spread of the virus include reduced ice-rink capacity to maintain physical distancing, frequent sanitation of rental skates and tubing equipment and no lockable storage lockers available this season.
To avoid having large groups inside the admissions building, guests are also being asked to complete their waivers at home or before, visiting Titletown.com/waivers from their computer or smartphone.
Each adult must complete their own waiver, with every adult able to add up to 10 minors per waiver.
A new waiver must be completed for every visit unless the visitor has a season pass.
Following the completion of the waiver, guests will receive a QR code to scan upon check-in and payment at the admissions building.
To minimize wait times, an express entry tent north of the ice rink will be offered for tubing and skating admissions on weekends for those who don’t need skate rentals.
Season passes are now available in person at admissions and require a one-time waiver and one-time payment for each pass-holder.
Guests are also reminded that Titletown is cashless, with credit/debit cards and Titletown gift cards the only forms of payment accepted.
A free, cash-to-card conversion station is available inside 46 Below for convenience.
Ariens Hill, the tubing hill adjacent to the ice skating rink, will open in the weeks ahead when sustained weather conditions are favorable for making snow.