Lions fans swarm Lambeau: Are Milwaukee-based Packers fans to blame?
GREENFIELD, Wis. (CBS 58) -- The main topic Friday afternoon on sports talk radio station, '97.3 The Game,' wasn't why the Green Bay Packers lost Thursday to the Detroit Lions. Rather, it was why a sea of Honolulu Blue blanketed the bleachers at Lambeau Field.
The phone lines lit up at the station's Greenfield studio during the 5:00 p.m. hour, and fans were split over whether those who resold their tickets should be shamed.
"I've got multitudes of Packers fans here that want tickets," said a caller named Bob from Indiana, who introduced himself as a three-year season ticket holder. "I only sell to other Packers fans."
"If Packers fans are upset that there were, there were fans there in blue cheering on the Lions, then they should've bought the tickets themselves," a caller named Mark from Waukesha said. "I mean get over it. Cry me a river."
Some fans have directed their ire at holders of the 'Gold Package,' which is two games reserved for fans in the Milwaukee area. The policy dates back to when the team played at least two home games a year at Milwaukee County Stadium from 1953 until 1994.
James Bryce, Jr., a co-owner of TicketKing, a broker in Milwaukee, said it's typical to see more seats up for resale when Gold Package games fall on weeknights.
"It's a big factor because of just- people are like, 'it's more work,'" Bryce, Jr. said. "Having a Monday night, a Thursday night with people working and not really wanting to have to deal with the commute on the way back."
Still, it was jarring for many Packer Backers to see so many visiting team supporters at Thursday's game, which the Lions won 34-20. Longtime observers, including Kevin Brandt, a co-host of the 'Drew & K.B.' show, said they'd never seen Lambeau overtaken in such a way.
#AllUs | #OnePridepic.twitter.com/88hJJVfxTa
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) September 29, 2023
"It's everyone's right to do what they want with their tickets," Brandt said. "I don't necessarily like to see it. I'd like to see fans keep the seats, but if that's what they're gonna do, there's not much you can do to stop it."
How the 'Gold Package' works
Aaron Popkey, the Packers' director of public affairs, confirmed Friday the team always dedicates the second and fifth home dates to Gold Package ticket holders.
The National Football League then sets the slate, and Popkey said the team has no influence over how those two games are scheduled.
Here are the dates and opponents for Gold Package games over the past 10 seasons:
- 2014: Vikings, Thursday, 7:25 p.m. & Eagles, Sunday, noon
- 2015: Chiefs, Monday, 7:30 p.m. & Lions, Sunday, noon
- 2016: Giants, Sunday. 7:30 p.m. & Colts, Sunday, 3:25 p.m.
- 2017: Bengals, Sunday, 3:25 p.m. & Lions, Monday, 7:30 p.m.
- 2018: Vikings, Sunday, noon & Dolphins, Sunday, noon
- 2019: Broncos, Sunday, noon & Raiders, Sunday, noon
- 2020 (no fans): Falcons, Monday, 7:15 p.m. & Bears, Sunday, 7:20 p.m.
- 2021: Steelers, Sunday, 3:25 p.m. & Rams, Sunday, 3:25 p.m.
- 2022: Patriots, Sunday, 3:25 p.m. & Titans, Thursday, 7:15 p.m.
- 2023: Lions, Thursday, 7:15 p.m. & Chargers, Sunday, noon
Of those 20 games, eight were at night, and six were on weeknights.
Unique circumstance or a sign of what's to come?
Bryce, Jr. said a number of both Gold Package and Green Package ticket holders put their tickets up for resale during the offseason. He attributed that to fans' uncertainty about just how good these Packers will be post-Aaron Rodgers.
"I think there were people, whether they had the Green or the Gold, that were like, 'Well, we want to sell some games because it might not be a great year,'" he said.
As for whether there could be similar Lambeau invasions this season, Bryce, Jr. pointed to the Minnesota game next month, should the 0-3 Vikings get their act together. Then, there could be lots of red in the stands when the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs visit for a Sunday night game in December.
At the same time, Bryce, Jr. said Thursday might've been unique. The Lions have long been the doormats of the NFC North, but with dominant offensive and defensive lines, Detroit fans now have a team worth planning a trip to see.
"Historically, the team has been so bad for so long," he said. "I think fans finally have a reason to feel confident and go on the road."
Brandt and several of the callers Friday also noted much of the frustration over the audible 'let's go Lions' chants wouldn't exist had the Packers prevailed.
"It only sucks because we got our butts kicked. That's why it sucks," a caller named Robert from Brookfield said. "If we pounded Detroit, nobody would be giving a damn how many fans were there."