The Eagles and Lincoln Financial Field

Official Review by Andrew Van Cleve, Stadium Journey Special Correspondent

Lincoln Financial Field is smashed in between several NFL venues built along the East Coast within the past 15 years. But, Lincoln Financial Field puts together the best game day experience for all fan types - both those who want to tailgate, those who want to hit a bar or restaurant before the game or those who want to enter the stadium early.

Consider this of the four competing East Coast NFL stadiums - MetLife Stadium (built in 2010), Gillette Stadium (built in 2002) and FedEx Field (built in 1997) are built far away from their respective cities. The only option is to tailgate and that is if you are able to buy your way into a parking lot. Plus, food and drinks are expensive once inside. On the contrary, M&T Bank Stadium (built in 1998) is located in downtown Baltimore. Thus, the only pre-game option is to eat at a restaurant before the game unless you know someone who has a parking permit or buy one on the secondary market.

However, Lincoln Financial Field gives you the best of both worlds and could be the best NFL venue in the Northeast. There are a handful of bars and restaurants to choose from within the immediate vicinity and, if you want, you can plan a tailgate late Saturday night and actually pay for parking on the day of the game. Plus, food and drinks are relatively cheap once you enter the stadium.

Food & Beverage    5

Food and beverage options at Lincoln Financial Field are a great bargain. First and foremost, beer is only $6.50 "?? cheap compared to most professional sports venues, let alone NFL venues.

Of course, all the classic Philly fare is here "?? cheesesteaks, hoagies and soft pretzels. And, even though it seems expensive, the crab fries ($8.50) from Chickie's & Pete's are not to be missed. The only reason not to buy them is if the line is just too long to wait for them. If that is the case, head over to the actual Chickie's & Pete's before or after the game.

If you want to enter the stadium early, head to the Miller Lite Tailgate Zone "?? avoids crowded bars and the hassles of tailgating on your own.

Atmosphere    3

Atmosphere for any stadium is generally based on how the team is performing. A playoff team brings a more intense atmosphere but with the Eagles playing surprisingly poorly in 2011, Lincoln Financial Field was not as electric as it could be or what one would expect. The best part of the experience is listening to "Fly, Eagles, Fly"?? (the Eagles fight song) after the Eagles score.

Neighborhood    3

When you first arrive at Lincoln Financial Field, one may think the only option for a pre-game meal is to tailgate. However, once the neighborhood is explored there are several options for those who do not or cannot tailgate. These are listed in order of preference:

1) Chickie's & Pete's "?? Definitely the best restaurant within a reasonable distance of Lincoln Financial Field. You can park for $15 and take the "Taxi Crab" to the stadium. As written in the food section the crab fries should not be missed.

2) Stadium Sports Bar and Restaurant "?? They have the best deal in the "??neighborhood"?? with $2.50 Miller Lite drafts. This is a great price for a bar within walking distance. The food is not the best, but what would you expect from a place so close.

3) McFadden's Restaurant and Saloon is directly across Pattison Ave. from Lincoln Financial Field and is definitely the closest bar and restaurant to the stadium. You cannot go wrong with an Irish Pub on a Sunday morning.

4) Medora's Mecca is an Italian restaurant located at the end of the stadium complex parking lots on the corner of Packer Ave and 13th St. If you are looking for a calm meal come here before the game.

Fans    4

Philadelphia fans have a bad reputation but every team has terrible fans. When you walk into Lincoln Financial Field you will witness passionate fans for their team but nothing scary.

In fact, I would argue that Lincoln Financial Field is one of the best NFL stadiums where you can actually bring a child. First, kids under two are free. Second, the stadium has tons of room in which your toddler can explore while you still have a great view of the game. Third, the stadium feels safer than other NFL venues. Of course, that is because you are not crammed into a seat with a lap child.

At my latest visit in December of 2011, there were a lot of empty seats so the fans have obviously spoken their feelings on the 2011 season.

Access    5

Parking is easy at Philadelphia's sports complex and prices are reasonable at $20 or higher. Plus, you can decide you want to drive on game day and can still park in the main parking lots or at the Holiday Inn. If you do not want to drive, then the subway stops a short walk from the stadium complex.

Return on Investment    5

Never believe that a game is actually sold out. There is always the secondary market. And, just because it is sold out does not mean tickets will cost more than face value. When the team has a poor season, all the tickets may be sold but the season ticket holders do not want to attend. Their loss is your gain. For my most recent visit, I bought a ticket for $10. At a cost cheaper than a movie why wouldn't you attend an Eagles game?

Extras    3

One extra point for children under the age of 2 not needing a ticket and plenty of room for them to roam. This makes for a great experience for anyone who still wants to attend an NFL game with their toddler before having to buy them a ticket.

A second extra point for those Chickie's & Pete's Crab Fries. Did I mention they are not to be missed?

Third extra point is for being such an accessible venue while still being relatively close enough to enjoy the city of Philadelphia. The stadium and the city are both at your disposal.


**Andrew Van Cleve is a sports travel expert and is the Ultimate Sports Fan.

I have yet to go to an Eagles game but I do know how their fans are. My question for anyone who can

I have yet to go to an Eagles game but I do know how their fans are. My question for anyone who can help out, if I go in my Vikings jersey with my Wife, how much harrassment am I looking to get, including my wife? All I keep hearing from friends and family is to not go in my jersey for the simple fact that I'm not going to enjoy the game from the beginning to the end. Another thing with my Wife being an Eagles fan and myself a Vikes fan, would she be included in the potential harrassment from the crowd? Thanks for the help!

by ViciousVikes28 | Aug 14, 2010 10:10 AM

You are going to get a lot of harrassment. If it were reversed and you were the Eagles fan and your

You are going to get a lot of harrassment. If it were reversed and you were the Eagles fan and your wife was the Vikings fan, I'd say you'd be ok, as women tend not to be hassled as much. You might be ok because you will be with an Eagles fan, but you will definitely enjoy the game more without wearing a Vikings jersey. It is definitely a roll of the dice. Some fans may just harass you good naturedly, but if you are in the wrong spot, and the Vikings are winning, you might have a serious problem.

There are a handful of towns where you don't want to wear an opponents' jersey and be obnoxious about it. Philly is one of them. Those stories you hear are real. But there are also lots of times that don't get reported where there are no problems at all, just good-natured fun. However, the typical Philly fan likely has a different definition of "good-natured fun" than most. I would do it, but I am an obnoxious jerk and I can handle it. Most people can't, or, more accurately, don't want to. In short, if you go with a Vikings jersey on, don't be surprised by anything that happens.

by gtcrawley | Aug 18, 2010 01:04 AM

Too many Philadelphia fans are absolute morons

I just wanted to share with you my experience in Philadelphia. On November 7, 2011, We went to Lincoln Financial Field to watch the Bears/Eagles game. I'm from New York and I wanted to enjoy the game with my friend from Chicago and wore a Walter Payton jersey to support him. What's up with the Philadelphia fans? From the seats, some people behind us who were extremely supportive of our troops and veterans, but those bigots directed homosexual jokes at us, calling us, "Fags" and a number of variations of this same sort of profane language from the very beginning, and they wouldn't let up the whole game. They then proceeded to call us Taliban terrorists and did a very poor job imitating the Afghanistan accent. Apparently, not being an Eagles fan makes us terrorists. We then on two occasions left our seats to get beers and both times, other fans threw things at us. In the bathroom, other fans proceeded to tell me that the Bears "suck" and then made masturbation jokes outside my stall, implying that I was "playing with it". These are just a few examples, but to put a long story short, the Bears won, to my satisfaction. Although the Bears beat the the Eagles and the dog murdering, Michael Vick, that those morons so emphatically support, it doesn't change the fact that I really have a negative impression of Philadelphia fans and even Philadelphia in general. Where do these people come from!

by drbill | Nov 08, 2011 01:31 PM

RE: Too many Philadelphia fans are absolute morons

Thanks for sharing the experience Dr Bill. I haven't ever been to Lincoln Financial Field personally, but did enjoy my time at Citizens Bank Park a few years back. I think it sucks when good-natured heckling crosses the line of decency as it seemed to be the case in your experience. I hope Philly fans will chime in as well as I would be curious to hear their experiences...

by paul | Nov 08, 2011 02:29 PM

RE: Too many Philadelphia fans are absolute morons

I really can't defend the actions of idiots. All I can say is that it is rarely a good idea to wear a visitors jersey to the Linc. Having said that, the record of some over the line Eagles fans is well documented and will not be defended here. I have been wearing Philly jerseys in opposing stadiums for well over twenty years and have never - not once - been treated with anything but respect. I think some of them revel in the reputation and do what they can to further it. I have defended it before in other articles, but this isn't the venue. I honestly don't know what it would be like to wear an opponent's jersey in Philly, so I can't say I know how you feel. I will, however, apologize on behalf of the majority of Eagles fans that don't behave that way.

Advice for visiting fans? Don't wear a jersey, and don't test the reputation.

by gtcrawley | Nov 13, 2011 12:39 PM

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