4 Helpful Tips to Prep for NFL Gameday

Look, we’ve been there before too—right when you get to the stadium to see your hometown football team, you realize you left your tickets at home. Such a bummer. Thankfully, that moment of frustration will never happen again thanks to Ticketmaster’s SafeTix™, which turns your phone into your ticket.

All you have to do is view your tickets in your Ticketmaster app (Apple • Google Play). And if you want to avoid the hassle of spotty public WiFi on gameday, you can add your tickets to your phone’s digital wallet so that entry is as simple as a few taps.

For the 2023 season, nearly all NFL stadiums are incorporating SafeTix, which uses a unique, automatically refreshing barcode, and is the quickest, safest way in.

Pro tip: Screenshots and printouts will no longer be accepted for entry, so make sure your phone is fully charged or bring an external battery with you.

For more on mobile entry and SafeTix, you can check out this guide.

Check Your Stadium’s Bag Policy

Not all bags can make it through the gameday gates. If you’re bringing things inside, the NFL’s clear bag policy ensures you’ll get to your seats safer and faster. Here’s a quick rundown of the styles and sizes of bags that will be allowed inside the stadium:

• Bags that are clear plastic, vinyl or PVC and do not exceed 12″ x 6″ x 12.
• One-gallon plastic freezer bag (Ziploc or similar)
• Small purse or clutch bag no larger than 4.5″ x 6.5″
• Exceptions will be made for medically necessary items after proper inspection at a gate designated for this purpose

You can buy an official bag here or snag one at the team shops inside the venue.

Pack Your Essentials

Going to an NFL game is more than just watching football — it’s a full-day experience. And while you won’t need to bring as much gear as the visiting team, it’s good to come prepared. Your exact needs will depend on the weather, the stadium and how strong your tailgating game is, but here’s a quick list of ideas of what to bring to a football game to get you started:

• Wallets and cash for concessions and merchandise
• Phone chargers
• Bottled water – sealed, if you want to bring it inside
• Sunscreen
• Binoculars and cameras – leave the bags in the car
• And of course, a football – with a permanent marker for autographs

If you’re tailgating (and you should be), be sure to consult stadium rules and regulations for the type of grills and fuel allowed on site.

Fly Your Colors

You didn’t buy that jersey to wear it at home! Show your pride by getting decked out in your team’s colors. If you need something to wear, you can order official gear from the NFL shop or grab something when you arrive at the stadium. Rocking elaborate face paint is optional, but extremely encouraged.

Tags

• NFL