New parking rules for Philadelphia Eagles home games could change how fans tailgate

Tailgating is a huge part of Philadelphia Eagles game day culture, but changes are coming that could throw a wrench into some long-standing traditions.

New parking rules at the Sports Complex

In an email to Eagles season ticket holders, the Sports Complex Parking Venture announced new parking guidelines for oversized vehicles at Eagles home games.

Beginning Oct. 4, when the Eagles host the Los Angeles Rams, oversized vehicles will be restricted to designated areas in Lot D and the upper section of Lot N, facing 7th and Pattison.

Parking locations will be assigned by lot attendants and cannot be selected or saved by guests. Oversized vehicle pass holders assigned to Lots E and H may park in those lots.

Tailgaters with oversized vehicle parking passes will receive the standard four parking spaces, with the option to purchase two additional spaces for $100, bringing the maximum to six spaces.

Oversized vehicle pass holders assigned to Lots E or H may park in those lots and will also be assigned a parking space within that area. People with those vehicles will be offered the same opportunity to purchase two additional spots.  

Guests without an oversized vehicle prepaid parking pass will have to pay the $200 oversized vehicle parking fee for the standard four spaces.

How does this impact tailgating?

The biggest change? Along with assigned spaces, guests will be restricted to keeping their vehicles and tailgating equipment within their assigned or purchased spaces.

Standard-sized cars and trucks will not be allowed to park next to oversized vehicles in the designated areas. Drop-offs also will not be permitted.

The price was $50 for a standard-sized car and $100 for an oversized vehicle, with no restrictions on how much space a tailgating setup could occupy. That will change Oct. 4.

The change is intended to help ease traffic flow and keep driving lanes open, according to the Sports Complex Parking Venture.

The organization said the new guidelines were implemented based on feedback from and collaboration with the city of Philadelphia and community stakeholders.

Philadelphia Eagles fans react new parking rules

Birds fans are concerned about how the new parking rules will affect their tailgates that have become a weekly tradition during the football season. 

"It's more than just a tailgate. It's more than just a game. It's us coming together," said Carmen Conti, an Eagles tailgater who has hosted large gatherings for about a decade.

Conti said his tailgates can draw anywhere from 50 to 300 people throughout the day. 

Under the new system, Conti said, large vehicles and the smaller vehicles belonging to their friends and family could be separated.

"It's their way of saying you can't tailgate without telling me I can't tailgate," Conti said.

Conti said his group has gathered in the same general area for years, allowing friends and family members to meet before games. He said he wants to work with the parking operation rather than oppose rules outright.

"I don't want to battle you," Conti said. "But compromise works both ways, and I'm willing to work with you as long as you're willing to work with us."

Conti said he agrees that parking rules should be enforced when vehicles block sidewalks or create safety concerns. But he said the new system goes too far.

"I want to sit down. Let's come up with a resolution that's going to work for both you and me," Conti said.

Other tailgaters are particularly concerned about the cost.

Jeremy Smith said oversized parking previously cost $100 but will now cost $200.

"That's literally double the price from the first week," Smith said. "A lot of people aren't going to be able to afford $200 every week for a home game. It's just not acceptable, especially in this economy."

Smith said the cost is especially difficult for fans who already pay for game tickets and other expenses associated with attending Eagles games.

With the new rules prohibiting vehicles used for drop-offs from entering the designated oversized-vehicle areas, tailgaters said that could make it more difficult to transport grills, tables, coolers and other equipment to their gatherings.

Nick McCarthy, who said his large tailgate draws at least 200 people, said his group typically uses six or seven parking spaces.

McCarthy said he uses a bus to transport people and equipment but previously relied on another vehicle to bring supplies to the lot.

"Now we can't even bring them up to the lot," McCarthy said. "Before, we would drop off and they would go park somewhere else, which is cool. Now you can't even bring them up to the lot. So now it's going to be all this walking and dragging and everything. It's going to be a nightmare."

McCarthy said he worries the new system could make arriving and leaving the complex more complicated rather than less.

"It's going to be more of a headache," he said. "It's going to take longer to set up. It's going to be longer to get out."

McCarthy also questioned how the parking operation will handle large numbers of vehicles arriving at the complex while directing them to specific spaces.

McCarthy said tailgating is an important part of the Eagles game-day experience, including for people who may not be able to afford tickets.

"It's not just about drinking," McCarthy said. "It's everyone coming together. It's everyone having a good time. It's a big vibe. It's a big party."

The Sports Complex Parking Venture said some fans have asked for changes to the current parking system, while others are unhappy with the new restrictions.