PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Tailgating changes at Eagles games will take effect this Sunday, but not without strong input from die-hard fans.
Tailgaters were quick to voice their outrage over the changes when they were announced last month.
Starting Sunday, tailgaters with oversized vehicles, like RVs, buses and trailers, will be directed to dedicated lots and assigned parking spots. In the past, fans could pick where they wanted to park.
The reaction from fans was swift. They assembled the Eagles Tailgating Association to discuss the planned changes with the Eagles organization.
At a press conference outside the South Philadelphia Sports Complex on Friday, fans and officials with the Eagles and Comcast Spectacor said they have had constructive discussions on how best to implement these new rules.
Comcast Spectacor Chief Operating Officer Phil Laws said the talks have been a productive way to protect tailgating traditions, while also providing more space for others to park during games.
“We met earlier this week with the tailgating community and we’ve answered hundreds of emails and inquiries about the process in an effort to both make it a smooth operation and remove any pain points that we can,” he said.
Dwayne Ross, spokesperson for the Eagles Tailgating Association, said he and others in the group will spend Sunday paying attention to how the rule changes will affect fans.
“We know what to expect with our tailgate. We’ll have a good time no matter what,” he said, “but I think this is a little bit more important to get as much feedback as we can from as much as the tailgaters … so we have a full sheet to discuss going forward.”
Ross said he will spend Sunday talking to tailgaters about how they are managing.
“You’re kinda close together,” he noted. “Sometimes you have extra space; now you’re limited to six spaces. So we’ll see how that works out.”
Those six spaces need to be purchased — four for $200 and an additional two spaces for $100.
Instead of parking anywhere, people with oversized vehicles will be directed to Lots D or N; those with passes for Lots E or H will be assigned a place to park in those lots.
Frank Gumienny, chief operating officer for the Philadelphia Eagles, said the decision was made to implement changes over time.
“We’re trying to take everything we can to make the environment better for Eagles tailgaters,” he said. “Our goal is to get everybody, 70,000 people, down here safe, park, have a great time, keep the culture, and fill up the Linc for kickoff on Sunday.”
Overall, the tailgaters said they are pleasantly surprised by how open the Eagles have been to listening to their needs. The Eagles are scheduled to meet with the association again next week.
Tailgaters say talks with officials about new parking rules at the Linc have been productive
Tailgaters say talks with officials about new parking rules at the Linc have been productive
