From three prime-time games on Sunday night to a matchup with the Bears on Monday night, the 2010 Packers’ schedule packs an interesting punch.
After returning to the playoffs last year and recovering some key players from injuries, there is a strong feeling that the Pack could have a memorable season.
Ticket prices are up a bit this year at Lambeau Field, but the four-game preseason and 16-game regular season offer plenty of opportunities to see Green Bay in action, home or away. Some games will offer easier access to tickets than others. Whether you’ve never been to a game at Lambeau Field or have made a sport of it by getting tickets on sale to almost every contest, it’s worth getting an idea of how the schedule will play out.
The preseason kicks off, as usual, with the Midwest Shrine Game on August 14. The Cleveland Browns are coming to town and giving fans their first look at some of the guys looking to make the roster. It’s a chance to say ‘welcome back’ to the Pack, have a nice evening and check out the newbies. No pre-season games are mandatory, but a lot of people like to get to that first game on the 2010 schedule. You’ll face a little competition for tickets, but it shouldn’t be hard to get some relatively cheap seats.
After a trip to Seattle, he returns home to face the Indianapolis Colts in what will be the last really significant preseason game (if there is such a thing). The starters are likely to play at least half, and that goes for the Colts, too. Let’s hope Peyton Manning is healthy. It’s a tie and that could push prices up a bit. The Pack wraps up preseason in Kansas City, and if you’re in the area, it’ll probably be the cheapest ticket you’ll see all year. KC isn’t good and the final preseason game doesn’t offer much excitement.
The regular season opener is Sunday, September 12, in Philadelphia. Tickets to the first game are tough and the fans love their Eagles. It’s also a new team, so if you’re looking to see this one in person, you’ll be up against not only a hostile home crowd, but plenty of other interested buyers from that area.
The Packers met Buffalo on Sept. 19 at noon in the home opener…always a tough ticket. You can take in the Packer-Bear game in Chicago on what should be a nice Monday night in late September, but don’t forget your helmet. The Lions come to town the following week in what could be a ‘cheat game’. Coming off a Monday night in Chicago, the pack could find themselves in trouble. This could also be your first chance at relatively cheap tickets, since the Lions aren’t much of an attraction.
The Pack then go to Washington, where the Skins have a new coach and a new QB in Donovan McNabb. Seats at Redskin games are the most expensive in the NFL. The Miami Dolphins have a huge following across the country and rarely come to Green Bay. Expect plenty of Florida Dolphin fans to travel for a Sunday afternoon showdown at Lambeau. After that, it’s the first of two with Brett Favre and the Vikings. Last year tickets to this game sold for hundreds of dollars and we expect the same this time. Just saying ‘I was there’ at what could be Favre’s last game in Green Bay will be worth it.
The Packers then travel to face the New York Jets. Again a tough spot for rival fans and a great test for the Greens and Golds. From there, comes November and a visit from the Dallas Cowboys. Again, expect an influx of fans from Cowboys country who want the Lambeau experience and are willing to pay impressive prices to do so. The visit by the Packers will be one of the biggest events on the Cowboys’ 2010 schedule.
After a bye week, the Packers visit Minnesota. Could this be the last connection between Favre and the Pack? It’s always fun for Packer fans to visit the Metrodome since it’s relatively close, but the tickets will be uptown again.
From there, it’s off to Atlanta to face the Falcons in late November. Since it’s Thanksgiving week, you might be in luck with a cheap ticket, but airfare could be a different story. There’s no need to worry about the weather with the game in the comfortable confines of the Georgia Dome.
After that, it’s Packer weather. The 49ers come to Lambeau as the Packers hope to start their playoff campaign. Sometimes tickets are a little cheaper in December and the Niners won’t be much of an attraction. From there, it’s off to another indoor venue, Ford Field in Detroit. That one might be worth hanging around for a Packer road trip.
The game of the year could be on December 19 when the Pack take on the New England Patriots on the road. It’ll be in prime time, but it could also be a classic if you’re looking for a Christmas trip to the Boston area.
The New York Giants will fly to Green Bay on Christmas Day and play the Packers on Sunday, December 26 at 3:15. There’s not much doubt that the Packers’ cheap ticket hunter could have things going for him for this one. Many people will be in vacation mode, spending time with friends and family or out of the area. It’s also a doubleheader game, which means TV will draw a lot of people.
The Packers end the season with a noon game at Lambeau against the Bears on January 2. Ticket demand could depend on whether anything is on the line, but Bears fans will travel and rivalry always means strong demand. Again, if it’s too cold, it might be a good time to shop, assuming you can handle it!
