Things to know for the Packers-Texans preseason game - WBAY

GREEN BAY, Wis. (WBAY) - Football is back in Green Bay. The Packers host the Houston Texans Thursday in the season's first preseason game.

It's the first time fans will get to see new coach Matt LaFleur lead his team during a game.

Kickoff is 7 p.m. at Lambeau Field.

The game is the annual Midwest Shrine Game. It raises money for Midwest Shrine's burn centers and hospitals.

Here are some things to know:

BROADCAST

Television - The game will be broadcast on Packers TV Network stations. CLICK HERE to find your local station.

Radio - The Packers Radio Network can be heard on 50 stations in 4 states and nationally on SiriusXM Satellite Radio channel 229 (or streaming channel 811).

BRING IT WITH YOU

"Print at home," or PDF, tickets are no longer accepted. You must have printed NFL tickets or mobile tickets. Click here to learn about mobile ticketing.

PRE-GAME

All fans entering through a gate will receive a magnetic game schedule from Cenex.

Packers and WPS Health Solutions will honor American Legion members through Operation Fan Mail.

Former Shrine Hospital patient Janine Brass will perform the National Anthem. The Packers say Janine has been a fan favorite at the Shrine game for years.

There will be no flyover.

HALFTIME

Players from Milwaukee Riverside Tigers and Milwaukee King Generals compete in the High School Quarterback Challenge.

The Wittenberg-Birnamwood Chargers Junior Pee Wee team will take part in Play Football. The Packers are recognizing Play Football Month. They've donated 1,900 tickets to youth football programs.

GETTING INTO LAMBEAU FIELD

At 1:00 p.m.

...Lambeau Field Atrium opens to ticketed guests through the American Family Insurance gate, with access to atrium eateries until the end of the game.
...1919 Kitchen & Tap opens until 10 p.m.
...Packers Pro Shop is open to ticketed guests until one hour after the game ends
...Hall of Fame is open until kickoff
...Ticket office is open until halftime
...Guest Services Desk is open until one hour after the game
...Johnsonville Tailgate Village is open to all fans -- you don't need a ticket -- until one hour after the game

At 3:00 p.m.

...Lambeau Field parking lots open to permit holders
...Game Day Store on the west side of the stadium is open to ticketed guests only until one hour after the game ends.

At 5 p.m.

...all stadium gates and seating areas open

GETTING THROUGH SECURITY

Banned from Lambeau Field

Large purses, bags, backpacks, duffel bags, fanny packs

Coolers, food, beverages

Strollers

Umbrellas

Selfie sticks, video cameras, still cameras with lenses over 12 inches

Guns, knives, switchblades, and other weapons

Allowed inside Lambeau Field

Clear bag that is 12x6x12 inches or one-gallon plastic bag

Blankets or additional clothing (carried loosely or in a clear bag)

Small clutch purse (4.5 x 6.5 inches, or no larger than a woman's hand)

Small cameras, binoculars, cell phones

Stadium seats with backs and seat pads (no larger than 18 inches wide) with no pockets or zippers.

Not sure? Click here for the carry-in and security policy.

Stadium seats (portable seat backs) are available for rental in the lower concourse.

TRAFFIC

Timesaver Traffic interactive map

Visit 511wi.gov for additional travel incident and weather-related road condition reports.

If you need driving directions to Lambeau Field, click here.

Around the stadium
Oneida St. between Lombardi Ave. and Mike McCarthy Way as well as Armed Forces Dr. are closed to through traffic from 3 p.m. until 2 hours after the game ends. Lombardi Ave. will be closed from Oneida Street to Ridge Road. Only motorists who show a valid stadium parking pass will be allowed to enter.

Vehicles going north on Ridge Road can drop off passengers in the designated area before the game -- but passenger pick-up after the game is not allowed because of traffic congestion and pedestrian crowds through this area.

After the game, Mike McCarthy Way becomes one-way eastbound from Oneida St to Ashland Ave. Oneida St is one-way northbound from Lombardi to W. Mason St. Ridge Rd is one-way northbound from Valley View Rd. to W. Mason. Ridge Rd is one-way southbound from Valley View to Cormier St.

Pedestrians are strongly urged to follow the directions of police and parking lot attendants and only cross the street at crosswalks.

TRANSPORTATION

Click here for the Game Day Routes schedule and maps

Lamers Bus Lines offers Lamers Express Game Day shuttle or bus service to and from stops around Brown County. The cost is $7 each way (cash only). No reservations are required. Game day transportation is also available from Appleton, Oshkosh, Wausau and Milwaukee with prices ranging from $25 to $75. Reservations are required for these. Click here for all Lamers Game Day Express stops and schedules.

The Packers and its partners have a Designated Driver program. Fans can register at kiosks in the atrium, Sections 109 and 112 on the lower concourse and on the 6th and 7th floors in the South End. Suite and club guests can register at concierge desks.

PARKING & TAILGATING

The Packers have parking areas off Ridge Road for $40 with portable toilets and charcoal bins. Park for free on residential streets (obey street signs) or a fee in lots and yards near the stadium.

Lambeau Field has a designated drop-off zone on the west side of the stadium. Drivers must be going north on Ridge Road to access the drop-off area. (The drop-off area will NOT be a pick-up zone after the game due to heavy congestion; make arrangements to meet your passengers elsewhere after the game.)

Tailgaters can use grills with charcoal or L.P. gas, but no wood, fryers or open flames. Grills must be at least two inches above the pavement and have adult supervision at all times. Everything must be extinguished before you leave it unattended. Charcoal can be disposed of in receptacles provided in the parking lot.

Waste Management placed green dumpsters throughout the parking lot for recyclable aluminum and tin cans; beer, wine, and liquor bottles; paper and cardboard.

HEALTH

Nursing rooms are available in the main atrium and fourth-floor club level. Chairs and electrical outlets are available in family restrooms as well. Nursing mothers may bring supplies such as a pump and bottles through security, but no coolers or glass items.