Lincoln Financial Field
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| Lincoln Financial Field | |
|---|---|
| "The Linc" | |
 .JPG/225px-Philly_(45).JPG) |
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| Location | 1020 Pattison Avenue Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19148 |
| Broke ground | May 7, 2001 |
| Opened | August 3, 2003 |
| Owner | City of Philadelphia |
| Operator | Philadelphia Eagles |
| Surface | Grass |
| Construction cost | $512 million |
| Architect | NBBJ Sports |
| Tenants | Philadelphia Eagles (NFL) (2003-present) Temple Owls (NCAA) (2003-present) |
| Capacity | 68,532 |
Lincoln Financial Field, familiarly known as "The Linc", is the home stadium of the National Football League's Philadelphia Eagles. It has a seating capacity of 68,532 (69,032 with Standing Room Only tickets). It is located in South Philadelphia on Pattison Avenue between 11th and 10th Streets, closer to the area's stretch of Interstate 95 than to Pattison.
The Stadium opened on August 3, 2003 after 2 years of construction beginning in May 7, 2001 and replaced the old Veterans Stadium. While its total capacity barely changed, the new stadium contained double the amount of luxury and wheelchair-accessible seats, along with the newer, more modern services. Like the Vet, Lincoln Financial Field had a jail inside the stadium, that contained four cells. However, this jail was done away within two years as the level of unruly behavior had dropped considerably from the worst days of the Vet. The Linc also plays host to several soccer games each year, and in the past two years it has played host to the NCAA lacrosse national championship.
Naming rights were granted in June 2002 to Lincoln Financial Group for a sum of $139.6 million over 21 years. Additional construction funding was raised from the sale of Personal Seat Licenses to Eagles season ticket holders.
The stadium opened on August 3, 2003 with a preseason friendly match between European soccer giants Manchester United and FC Barcelona. Some matches in the FIFA Women's World Cup for soccer were also played there in 2003. Bruce Springsteen performed three sold-out concerts there in 2003. Also, the NCAA Men's Lacrosse Championship in 2005 and 2006 were held there. The Army-Navy football game is also played at the stadium, and the stadium is scheduled to host more in the future.
Temple University's Division I-A college football team also plays their home games at Lincoln Financial Field, paying the Eagles $1 million a year to do so.
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[edit] Notable Games
- August 3, 2003: Lincoln Financial Field hosts its first ticketed event, a soccer match between Manchester United and FC Barcelona.
- August 22, 2003: The Eagles host the New England Patriots in the first pre-season football game at Lincoln Financial Field.
- September 6, 2003: Lincoln Financial Field hosts its first regular season college football game, a college matchup of city rivals Villanova and Temple. Villanova prevailed 23-20 in double overtime.
- September 8, 2003: The Eagles and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers square off on Monday Night Football in the first regular season NFL game, dubbed the “Inaugural Game” at Lincoln Financial Field. Tampa Bay won, 17–0.
- September 23, 2007: Wearing 1933 throwback uniforms celebrating the team's 75th anniversary, the Eagles set multiple team records in a 56–21 victory over the Detroit Lions, their second most points in team history. It was the first time the Eagles ever had a 300-yard passer (Donovan McNabb), a 200-yard receiver (Kevin Curtis), and a 100-yard rusher (Brian Westbrook) in the same game.
[edit] Eagles Playoff Games
- NFC Divisional Playoff: January 11, 2004 (Philadelphia Eagles 20, Green Bay Packers 17). This game is also known as "The Miracle of 4th and 26". Donovan McNabb connected on a 28-yard pass to receiver Freddie Mitchell on 4th and 26. This led to the game-tying field goal that sent the game into overtime. In the overtime period, Brett Favre tossed an interception to Brian Dawkins, which set up David Akers game-deciding 37-yard field goal that sent the Eagles to their third straight NFC Championship Game.
- NFC Championship: January 18, 2004: (Carolina Panthers 14, Philadelphia Eagles 3). Eagles lose their third straight NFC Championship Game.
- NFC Divisional Playoff: January 16, 2005: (Philadelphia Eagles 27, Minnesota Vikings 14). Eagles advance to their fourth-consecutive NFC Championship Game.
- NFC Championship: January 23, 2005: (Philadelphia Eagles 27, Atlanta Falcons 10). Eagles advance to the Super Bowl for the first time since 1980.
- NFC Wild Card Game: January 7, 2007: (Philadelphia Eagles 23, New York Giants 20). David Akers wins the game with a field goal as time expires.
[edit] Controversies
- For the inaugural season at Lincoln Financial Field (2003), the Eagles imposed a ban on hoagies and cheesesteaks being brought into the stadium, citing security concerns related to the events of September 11. The ban only lasted one week after much debate by fans and radio personalities.[1]
- During the 2006 season, fans reported swaying on one of the pedestrian bridges that connects the upper levels. Articles were written in local newspapers, and broadcast on the local news. Outside parties tested the bridges' stability and found no problem.[2]
- On the first home game of the 2007 season, a ruling was brought down upon a Philadelphia and national tradition, tailgating. While the Eagles did not officially ban the act, they did ban the use of tables and tents, and purchasing the parking spot adjacent to their own. Prices were also doubled to forty dollars for RVs and buses, and twenty dollars for cars. Fans have been reported to be upset.[3][4][5]
[edit] Suites
There are 172 Luxury Suites at Lincoln Financial Field. They range in capacity from 12 to 40 people and cost $75,000 to $300,000 per year or $20,000 for a single game rental. They include 12-20 tickets per game, 2-4 valet parking passes, and additional perks such as private restrooms and visits from the Eagles cheerleading squad. Catering costs an additional $1500 per game. There are usually 12 fixed seats, 6 bar stool seats, and sofas for the remaining people. The suites are located in six separate areas throughout the stadium:
71 Lower Level Suites (34 rows off of the field on the east and west sides of the stadium)
10 Red Zone Suites (HeadHouse)
14 Presidents Club Suites (stacked on top of the Lower Level Suites on the West side of the stadium) Food and non alcoholic drinks are free in these suites.
77 Club Level Suites (above the Club Level seating on the East & West sides of the stadium).
All suite holders have access to all of the club lounges and all of the other suite levels in the stadium.
[edit] Club Lounges
There are 2 exclusive 40,000 sq ft club lounges in the stadium. The lounge on the west side is the "Chrysler Premiere Lounge" and the one on the east side is the "SCA Club Lounge". They are heated and offer upscale food. Also have exclusive bars with top shelf liquor. Suite holders and club seat holders have access to these 2 lounges.
[edit] External links
[edit] References
- ^ Jeff Taylor, "Meal Ticket", Reason, July 22, 2003. Accessed 19 December 2007.
- ^ Philadelphia Will Do, "Good Lateral Vibrations", Philadelphia Weekly, October 10, 2006. Accessed 19 December 2007.
- ^ Krista Hutz, "Unfazed fans party on as usual", Philadelphia Daily News, September 18, 2007. Accessed 19 December 2007.
- ^ "Eagles Fans Endure New Tailgating Rules", CBS 3, September 17, 2007. Accessed 19 December 2007.
- ^ "Eagles Fans Find New Surprises Parking and Partying at The Linc", MyFox Philadelphia, September 17, 2007. Accessed 19 December 2007.
| Preceded by Veterans Stadium |
Home of the Philadelphia Eagles 2003 – present |
Succeeded by current |
| Preceded by Veterans Stadium & Franklin Field |
Home of the Temple Owls 2003 – present |
Succeeded by current |
| Preceded by M&T Bank Stadium |
Home of the NCAA Lacrosse Final Four 2005 – 2006 |
Succeeded by M&T Bank Stadium |
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