Generic Green Bay Packers game, Lambeau Field. PC: Fox 11 Online
GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — The Green Bay Packers’ NFC North rivals Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings have already been to Lambeau Field this season, leaving what many are calling “the best for last.”
“Unbelievable that the Bears are the one seed. Who would’ve ever thought that? But more importantly, this is the oldest rivalry and the best rivalry,” said Charlie Andrews, a Packers fan.
“I don’t think there’s anything that compares in the NFL, in terms of the history and tradition of the rivalry,” said Cliff Christl, team historian for the Packers.
According to Christl, this rivalry just might be the reason the Packers are still around.
“If not for the Packers-Bears rivalry, I don’t think the Green Bay Packers would exist today,” he said, citing the fact that these games were often sold out and drew heavy interest.
Christl highlighted 1929 to 1944. During that span, the Packers and Bears combined for 11 NFL championships. In 1941, the Packers played the Bears for a spot in the NFL championship game against the Giants. The Bears won, but the title matchup had an attendance that was just one-third of what it was when the Bears played the Packers.
“In essence, at that point in time, the Packers-Bears rivalry was bigger than the NFL championship game in a season when the two leagues’ two biggest cities squared off,” said Christl.
In the years since, the rivalry hasn’t carried the same excitement.
Christl said, “There haven’t been a lot of games with a lot of meaning for, I mean, we’re talking almost 50 years. It’s a long time in a rivalry.”
The Packers are just half a game behind the Bears for first place in the NFC North — all while they both fight for better positioning in the postseason.
“This Sunday’s game is a real shot in the arm for this rivalry. And I think it’ll revive the hate and interest,” said Christl.
But getting to experience Sunday’s rivalry won’t be cheap.
“For this time of year, it’s significantly higher. We haven’t had a game with this magnitude, this late in the season, at Lambeau in a long time. Let alone with your division rival with the Bears,” said Ticket King Manager Travis Loftus.
As of Monday evening, the cheapest tickets across platforms like Ticket King, Ticketmaster, Seat Geek and Stub Hub are all over $300. However, Loftus says the cold weather forecasted for the game could bring prices down throughout the week.
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