September 26, 2025/Midnight
Erie, PA. – For the first time in my life, I was able to watch my favorite NFL team, the Green Bay Packers, play regular season football in person in Cleveland. After watching TV at home every Sunday for the past seven years, this was an incredibly unique and exciting experience. With increasing prices, traveling time, and a high view, is the effort of attending an NFL game worth it?
While I had attended Packers preseason games in Green Bay, Buffalo, and Cleveland in the past, this was the first time I attended a game during the regular season. It was my first experience in six years, when I attended the Cleveland Browns vs Cincinnati Bengals game in 2019. Tickets were a lot cheaper back then when, according to Cleveland 19 News, tickets were as low as $9.
Our seats, which were remarkably high up, cost around $126. That was only the starting price, as this didn’t include parking, food, and gas money. Our parking fee was approximately $20, but it was a mile away from Huntington Bank Field. Additionally, we had to walk up a very long ramp to access the 500-level seating. It took nearly three hours from leaving the house to sitting down for the first time just before kickoff.
While the view was towering, it allowed us to see all the action from above, especially since it was close to midfield. The atmosphere was incredible, and it brought back memories of my first trip to the stadium. While the Browns fans were passionate, I was thrilled to see so many Packers fans chanting “Go Pack Go.” One of the cons of attending a game is the inability to keep up with the action across the league. Fortunately, it was hard to be distracted as every play appeared crucial as you felt a part of the team.
Despite a low scoring effort by both teams, the game came down to a Browns game-winning field goal as time expired. While most fans wouldn’t be happy following a heartbreaking loss, I was overjoyed with my experience. It was definitely a moment I would never forget. While I prefer the comfortable feeling of watching football at home, especially NFL RedZone, I loved being in the crowd.
If you are on the fence of attending an NFL game, I would encourage you to do so. While it might be a lot more expensive than in years past, the experience is unlike any other sport. Erie is fortunate to have three NFL teams in the tristate area, and I look forward to my next trip to Cleveland.
