My spouse and I visited Lincoln Financial Field
(nicknamed “The Linc”) on a Sunday morning in late July 2017. The evening
prior, we attended a concert at the Wells Fargo Center, and we had stayed
overnight at the nearby Courtyard by Marriott Navy Yard. (See our separate
reviews for the Wells Fargo Center, Citizens Bank Park, Courtyard, Navy Yard,
XFINITY Live!, NBC Sports Arena, 1100 Social, and Bar Amis.) We had heard on
the television news that the Eagles were holding an open practice session
(training camp), so we felt compelled to attend since we were close by.
In 2012, the Eagles moved their training
camp from Lehigh University in Bethlehem back to Philadelphia. Several of the
training camp practices are open to the public, but most are closed and take
place across the street at the NovaCare complex.
Lincoln Financial Field is home to the
Philadelphia Eagles NFL team and the Temple University Owls football team, but
it also hosts special events. Lincoln Financial Field is part of the South Philadelphia Sports
Complex, which also includes the Wells Fargo Center, Citizens Bank
Park, and XFINITY Live! The stadium opened in 2003 on the site of the former multi-purpose
Veterans Stadium (“The Vet”). The Eagles play from September through
January, but also offer occasional open practices to the public in late July
and August. The stadium seats nearly 70,000 guests, including 172 luxury suites
and nearly 8,800 club seats. We were pleasantly surprised that many concessions
on the main level seemed to be open on the day that we visited, considering
that it was not a usual game day. Food options include Tony Luke’s, Rick’s
steaks, Chickie & Pete’s, Quick and Carmichael’s BBQ, McNally’s Tavern,
Planet Hoagie, Johnson’s Popcorn, and Federal Donuts. Private venues include
Pizzeria Vetri and Paesano’s at the Tork Café in the SCA Club, and the Market
in the Panasonic Club. You can also buy items from the food trucks (Dapper Dog,
Chewy’s) parked in HeadHouse Plaza, which is a stand-alone, 100,000-square foot
building where you can buy tickets and merchandise, watch the game on the jumbo
TV, eat and drink at the Miller Lite Tailgate Zone, or play games and enjoy
entertainment at the Interactive Zone. On training camp day, you could participate
in numerous special events like autograph sessions, cheerleader photos, make-your-own
ticket souvenirs, merchandise stands, and games. We had to pass through metal
detectors to enter the field; however, for training camp, we did not need to
abide by the NFL “clear bag” policy. Smoking is permitted in designated areas
only. Parking costs $25 per car and $50 per oversize
vehicle.
We enjoyed our morning watching Eagles open
training camp at Lincoln Financial Field!
