GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) – Lambeau Field will welcome back fans this year at full capacity.
The Green Bay Packers made that announcement Thursday afternoon.
“I think everybody at the organization will enjoy having the fans back. I know certainly the coaches and players enjoy that energy, which starts with training camp,” said Packers Director of Public Affairs, Aaron Popkey. “People there supplying that energy and being excited about the season, I think is something we all look forward to…Events take on a different level of excitement. Whether its the annual [shareholders] meeting, Family Night, all of these things we’d normally be excited about has a little extra excitement this year as we plan for full capacity.”
Among the different activities returning is tailgating. Popkey says the tradition will continue in regular fashion for the 2021 season.
WTAQ News found season ticket holder Paul Hilmer in the Packers Pro Shop. He hadn’t heard the news, but lit up when he learned he’d officially be returning to the Lambeau Field bowl this season.
“It’s always great to come back to see the Packers family. It’s always a great thing…It’s a good thing for the Packers, it’s a good thing for the fans, it’s nice to see,” Hilmer told WTAQ News. “It’s going to be especially fun this year after not being able to come last year. I have people come in from all over the country that I bring here, to the greatest place in football. It’ll be fun to be able to do that again.”
Fans who have been fully vaccinated no longer need to wear masks, but the organization will continue to ask guests who are unvaccinated to follow CDC guidelines by wearing masks. Proof of vaccination will not be required.
“By and large, we’re going to be back at full capacity. Approaching more of what we think of as normal, we want people to be aware of recommendations and guidelines that are still out there,” Popkey added. “We all like to think that we are getting closer to normal, or what resembles normal.”
“The Packers are planning for the season and the various activities that annually help all of us get excited for the return of football,” Packers President/CEO Mark Murphy said. “We continue to encourage individuals to follow CDC recommendations, including getting vaccinated, as it greatly reduces risk of viral infection and transmission in fully vaccinated individuals. We look forward to once again experiencing the incredible atmosphere our fans provide at training camp, games and events.”
Signage at Lambeau Field and at Packers events will remind guests that the CDC recommends mask wearing for those who are not fully vaccinated. Signage also will direct guests to current CDC information which includes descriptions of settings that may be experienced at Packers games and events, including crowded outdoor and indoor areas, indoor seating areas, and crowded concession and restroom lines (outdoor and indoor).
“As you make plans to attend Packers events and other large-scale events in the community, know your best protection is to be fully vaccinated,” said Anna Destree, Brown County Public Health Officer. “If you’re not fully vaccinated, continue to wear a mask and know the risk levels in different settings.”
