About 5,500 fans able to enter Linc for Ravens game
With coronavirus restrictions lessened in Pennsylvania, the Eagles expect a crowd of about 5,500 to attend their game Sunday against the Baltimore Ravens at Lincoln Financial Field.
Face coverings and social distancing will be strictly enforced at the Linc, where the total occupancy will be capped at 7,500, a figure that includes players, coaches, team, stadium personnel, media and fans.
It’s a far cry from the stadium’s 69,796 capacity, but better than no fans.
“I’m very definitely going to hear them on Sunday,” wide receiver Greg Ward said. “It’s definitely going to be loud. I know the fans are going to have a lot of energy. We just have to match it and go out there and be ready.”
Tickets will be available starting Wednesday to games with the Ravens (4-1), who are 6.5-point favorites, and the New York Giants (0-5), who the Eagles host the following Thursday night.
Season ticket holders who didn’t opt out of attending games have first dibs. Those tickets will be sold in groups, according to the Eagles, with the ability to purchase as many as six tickets in the same seating pod.
Any remaining tickets for those two games will go on sale later, as will tickets for the rest of the 2020 home games.
Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf, Philadelphia city officials and the NFL approved the Eagles’ reopening plan.
Among other procedures, NFL Policy is that ticket holders cannot re-sell or provide their tickets to anyone other than family with whom the ticket holder has been sheltering or other trusted acquaintances.
Mobile ticketing and contactless parking are in play. No tailgating is allowed in the sports complex area and parking passes are digital, which fans are encouraged
to purchase ahead of time. A game ticket must be presented to purchase parking on site.
Offensive tackle Jordan Mailata is happy to make his first NFL start in front of fans (and his third overall), although it’s going to be awhile before his parents came make the trip from Sydney, Australia, to see him in person.
“I am super-excited to finally play in front of fans,” said Mailata, a one-time professional rugby player who competed in front of
thousands in Australia. “It’s been a long dream of mine to play in front of the home crowd and be starting. So, I’m extremely excited. As for the family COVID restrictions won’t be allowing any travel outside of Australia right now. Especially for my parents health. I’d love them to be here for the first game with fans at home but due to COVID-19 restrictions, it’s just easier to stay at home and support from there.”
The Eagles (1-3-1) are allowing 29.0 points per game. The defen
sive numbers are much more favorable for the Eagles when the Linc is rocking.
Since 2017, the Eagles are 17-8-1 at the Linc in the regular season and 2-1 in the playoffs.
“We could have used their help in the first two games,” Mailata said of the fanbase. “We miss these guys as a lot. Fans are a big part of momentum and causing third-down distractions. So, hopefully, whatever number of fans we have this week will be rowdy as hell.”