APPLETON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Packers fans may have to find a new spot for game days.
A team spokesperson says tailgating in the Lambeau Field lots might not be allowed this year.
The organization also announced everyone will be required to wear a mask at games, unless they are eating or drinking.
FOX 11 spoke to Appleton Packers fans about game days without tailgating.
Austin Henkel spent 2019 rooting for the packers from Afghanistan.
“Last year I deployed with my unit and we watched every single Packer game from overseas, so we spent most of our time at night whenever we got a chance to staying up all night if we could.. or whenever we had the opportunity.”
Henkel is in the National Guard.
“Tailgating is always kind of a big part of any sport, so it’s a big let down,” he told FOX 11.
He says when it comes down to it, watching a game at home is good enough for him.
“Especially during COVID right now, it’d be a big way to kind of keep bringing everyone together and kind of forget what’s going on.”
Miranda Gorges is a big Packers fan.
“I don’t think you could live in Wisconsin and not be a Packers fan. I just love to be a part of the whole experience of being down around Lambeau field when there’s a game going on. So if I’m going with friends who are parking nearby, absolutely stopping and tailgating. If not, usually hitting up one of the bars that’s nearby and just being in that atmosphere on game day.”
She says she won’t let any game day changes get her spirit down.
“The way the world is, we’re just going to find a way to make it work.”
Henry Uslabar says tailgating feels like reliving a past time.
“It’s the closest you get to a college experience with the NFL. There’s a lot of people, it’s huge tailgates all over the place,” Uslabar said.
He plans to keep rooting, just in a quieter way.
“We’ll probably get some people together and grill out and stuff like that,” Uslabar said.
Tailgating in the heat, bitter cold or not at all, Packers fans have one thing on their mind: cheering on their team.
