Lambeau Field gets set for soccer match between European giants

July 20, 2022 3:07 PM

Kyle Jones,

Posted: July 20, 2022 3:07 PM

by Kyle Jones

GREEN BAY, Wis. — Saturday will be a historic day in Green Bay and Lambeau Field is getting ready for the occasion.

European powerhouses FC Bayern Munich and Manchester City will meet for the first-ever soccer match at Lambeau Field. The two squads last met in a friendly in 2018, with City taking a 3-2 win.

A near-capacity crowd is expected at Lambeau Field for the match, which kicks off at 6 p.m. Officials said that fans from 19 different countries and all 50 states, Puerto Rico, Guam and Washington D.C. have bought tickets for the event.

The Packers gave fans headed to the match some reminders to make the day go smoothly.

Parking for general ticket holders is $20 and first-come, first-served in the Lambeau Field parking lots. The lots open at 2 p.m. and the gates to the stadium open at 4 p.m. Lambeau Field is entirely cashless, except for parking which is cash-only.

Green Bay Metro will offer free bus rides on matchday following the regular Packers gameday bus routes.

The carry-in policy for Saturday’s match will be the same as a regular Packers gameday. Flags carried in cannot be attached to any poles and cannot obstruct others’ view of the match. Obstructive banners, signs and noisemakers, including vuvuzelas, are not allowed. Purses and bags are prohibited unless they are smaller than 12 x 6 x 12 inches.

For fans looking to purchase alcohol at the match, an ID is required. International fans must use their passport or passport card for identification.

The Lambeau Field Atrium will be open at noon on Saturday and fans can head to the Packers Hall of Fame, Pro Shop and 1919 Kitchen and Tap. Exit and re-entry scanning for the atrium will be available until 2 p.m. The Johnsonville Tailgate Village will be open to ticketed and non-ticketed fans at 2 p.m. featuring live entertainment, food and beverages.

Merchandise for both squads will be on sale in the Packers Pro Shop.

Both Bayern and City will host fan events ahead of Saturday’s match. Bayern will hold an event with club legend Giovane Elber on Friday from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Hagemeister Park. City will hold a free youth clinic at Titletown on Friday from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. featuring appearances from Premier League winners Pablo Zabaleta and Joleon Lescott.

On Saturday Bayern will have prematch festivities at their Fanzone on the east side of Lambeau Field near the Oneida Nation Gate from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Fans will have an opportunity to take a photo with players, Elber, mascots and the Bundesliga trophy.

City will have a prematch party from noon to 5 p.m. at the Tundra Trio, where fans can get pictures with Zabaleta, Lescott, the mascots Moonchester and Moonbeam and the Premier League trophy.

There will also be pre- and post-match ceremonies with fireworks.

Both Bayern Munich and Manchester City are coming off of title-winning seasons. City took home the English Premier League crown on the last day of the season, with a dramatic comeback win over Aston Villa sealing their spot at the top of the table. Bayern also won the German Supercup in a 3-1 triumph over archrival Borussia Dortmund.

The two teams are considered favorites to win their respective leagues again this year, with City adding world-class striker Erling Haaland at the beginning of the summer transfer window.

Bayern’s star striker Robert Lewandowski left for FC Barcelona this week, but the German giants replaced him with Liverpool star Sadio Mané. The Bavarians also added Juventus standout Matthijs de Ligt, with the club announcing the signing on Tuesday.