Eagles tailgating: New parking rules coming for oversized vehicles outside Linc

Tailgating is a Philadelphia tradition, but fans who bring an RV, bus or trailer to Eagles games will soon face new parking rules and higher costs.

The Sports Complex Parking Venture is changing its oversized vehicle parking policy beginning Oct. 4, when the Eagles host the Los Angeles Rams. The changes apply only to Eagles home games.

Under the new policy, oversized vehicles will be directed to designated parking areas by lot attendants outside Lincoln Financial Field. Those areas will be in Lot D and the upper section of Lot N.

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Fans will no longer be able to choose or save their parking spots. Oversized vehicle pass holders assigned to Lots E or H will still be able to park in those lots but will also be assigned a specific space.

The changes also come with a higher price.

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Oversized vehicles will pay $200 for four parking spaces, with the option to purchase two additional spaces for $100, bringing the maximum to six spaces.

Standard-sized companion cars and trucks will not be permitted in the designated oversized vehicle areas. Drop-offs also will not be allowed.

All vehicles, equipment and tailgating activities must remain within the assigned or purchased parking area.

“The fabric of Philadelphia is tailgating,” said Carmen Conti, who has hosted Big Carm’s Tailgate in Lot F for about a decade.

Several longtime tailgaters who spoke with Action News on Tuesday said they are concerned the new rules could change the way they gather before games.

“The hand parking – there’s people that have literally been coming here since the day the Linc opened and have been parking in the same spot for that amount of time,” said Jeremy Smith of Port Richmond.

John Huber of Hockessin, Delaware, said he believes the changes could take away from the tailgating experience.

“I think it’s a money grab, and it’s gonna get in the way of the fun,” Huber said.

Andy Myers of Phoenixville said being assigned a spot could make it harder for groups of friends to tailgate together.

“We really like to be able to choose our own spots,” Myers said. “We have friends that we meet up with. If you put us in a certain spot at a certain time, we might not be able to tailgate together.”

Conti said he typically arrives around 3 or 4 a.m. to set up his tailgate. Smith said he arrives at 10 p.m. the night before day games to start cooking.

Conti worries the changes could make it more difficult for fans who rely on the parking lots as a way to experience game day without going inside the stadium.

“This is our culture, and they’re trying to break it up,” Conti said.

The Sports Complex Parking Venture wrote in an email to season ticket holders that the new policy is designed to ease traffic flow, keep lanes clear and preserve parking availability for all guests. They also wrote the changes were made based on feedback from and collaboration with the city and community stakeholders.

Some tailgaters said they would like to see more discussion before the new policy takes effect.

“Don’t just throw these without actually talking to the tailgaters,” Conti said.

Smith said he hopes the parking venture will give longtime tailgaters an opportunity to weigh in.

“We would love it if they would just come and sit down and talk to us,” Smith said. “Let us have a voice and just be heard.”

The new oversized vehicle parking rules take effect Oct. 4 for the Eagles’ home game against the Rams.