10 Things You Didn't Know About the Green Bay Packers Stadium
Anybody who’s ever gone to Lambeau Field, the Green Bay Packers stadium, knows that it’s a special place. It’s known for cold-weather games, fans wearing giant hats in the shape of cheese, and for being one of the oldest stadiums in the NFL. But Lambeau Field is so much more than that. At some point, all NFL fans should get their hands on Packers tickets and experience the venue in person. In the meantime, here are 10 interesting things you probably didn’t know about Lambeau Field.
There is a 50-Foot Replica of the Lombardi Trophy
Some stadiums have a trophy case, but the Packers went in a different direction and just created a 50-foot replica of the Vince Lombardi Trophy to display inside Lambeau Field. The trophy was unveiled in 2014 and is made of a combination of metal and foam, weighing 14.5 tons. At night, the trophy lights up and can be seen from the street just outside the stadium. The lobby on the east side of the stadium that holds the massive trophy is also decorated with pictures and quotes from the great Vince Lombardi, who coached the Packers from 1959 to 1967.
It Was Originally Called City Stadium
When it opened in 1957, Lambeau Field was called City Stadium, which was the same name as the team’s previous home. For eight seasons, it was affectionally known as New City Stadium. However, it was renamed in 1965 in honor of Curly Lambeau, who passed away two months earlier. Lambeau coached the Packers from 1919 to 1949, leading Green Bay to six NFL championships. He was also a player from 1919 to 1929 and a member of the NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team.
Only 3 American Sports Venues are Older
As mentioned, Lambeau Field first opened in 1957, meaning only three American pro sports venues are older. Oddly enough, two of them are in Chicago, which is just over 200 miles south of Green Bay. Both Soldier Field, home of the Bears, and Wrigley Field, home of the Cubs, are older than Lambeau Field. The other pro sports stadium that pre-dates Lambeau Field is Boston’s historic Fenway Park.
The Wait for Season Tickets is Half a Lifetime
If you want season tickets to see the Packers at Lambeau Field, you’ll have to get in line. However, you should know that it’s going to be a long line. There are roughly 130,000 people on the waitlist for season tickets with the list getting longer every year. On average, it takes an estimated 30 years to reach the top of the list. Since 1960, every Packers game at Lambeau Field has been sold out, so finding tickets to any game can be a challenge unless you rely on Gametime. Last-minute Packers tickets can be easily found on Gametime at the best price. Just be ready to look out for last-minute deals by ticket resellers!
The “Frozen Tundra” is a Myth
Lambeau Field has long had the nickname of “Frozen Tundra.” The nickname comes from the famous 1967 Ice Bowl between the Packers and Cowboys that was played in temperatures that were 15 below zero and a wind chill around -50. Since then, the Packers have had plenty of other games that were played in sub-zero temperatures in northern Wisconsin. However, while fans must brave the elements from the stands, the playing surface doesn’t actually freeze. In 1967, heating coils were installed under the playing surface to keep the field warm and soft so that it never freezes over. This allows players to keep their footing during the game, allowing the players to be at their best.
The Field Surface is Unique
In 2018, Lambeau Field became the first American sports venue to install polyethylene-based SIS Grass as its playing surface. It took five months to make the transition from polypropylene fibers. The synthetic fibers give the sand underneath the playing surface more stability, preventing bumps of uneven spots from popping up over the course of the season. The new playing surface was already popular among soccer venues in Europe. But the Packers were the first to bring it to an American football stadium.
The Music Selection is Diverse
If you’re lucky enough to attend a game at Lambeau Field, you better have a diverse musical taste. The famous Lumberjack Band at Lambeau Field is a thing of the past. The stadium now plays a variety of songs to keep the crowd engaged. For starters, “Bang the Drum All Day” by Todd Rundgren is played whenever the Packers score. You’ll also hear the polka classic “Roll Out the Barrel.” Needless to say, those songs are much different from House of Pain’s “Jump Around” and Papa Roach’s “Last Resort,” which are also heard at every Lambeau Field game.
It Was Inspired by Michigan Stadium
If you look closely, you might notice that Lambeau Field looks a lot like Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor. Dick Gustafson was one of the original designers of Lambeau Field. He went to school at the University of Michigan and used Michigan Stadium, which opened in 1927, as inspiration for the design. Of course, Michigan Stadium was inspired by the Yale Bowl.
There is a Two-Story Hall of Fame
Since 2003, the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame has been located within the Lambeau Field atrium. The Hall of Fame is two stories and roughly 15,000 square feet. It has over 160 members and counting and should be viewed by any football fan who steps foot in the Green Bay Packers Stadium. It’s also worth noting that the Packers were the first pro sports team to have a Hall of Fame dedicated to a single team.
Stadium Tours Are Available
If you can’t get your hands on Packers tickets, it’s still possible to take a tour of the Green Bay Packers Stadium. In fact, the tour might be a better way to see the stadium than attending a game. The tour lasts an hour and takes you to many places you wouldn’t ordinarily see during a game, including back rooms, suites, and the field itself. You’ll also learn plenty of more fascinating tidbits about the Packers and Lambeau Field.