Green Bay Packers season ticket holders who haven't been attending games might soon find themselves without their coveted seats. The Packers are set to inform ticket holders about the 2026 ticket prices and notify some fans that their tickets won't be renewed. This move, while controversial among those affected, has been a consistent practice for several years, targeting fans who haven't attended home games in a while.
Aaron Popkey, the Packers' director of public affairs, emphasized the importance of homefield advantage, saying, "If you're a season ticket holder just to sell your tickets, you shouldn't be one. Our fans' energy is crucial for us, and we want to maintain and build on that."
While the Packers haven't disclosed the number of accounts affected, they have reclaimed tickets and moved about 1,000 people off the waiting list. With 38,000 season ticket-holder accounts and 155,000 people waiting, the demand is sky-high. Typically, 99% of fans renew annually, making the wait a lengthy one.
The Packers treat all ticket packages the same, though it's easier to miss all games in smaller packages. Thanks to digital ticketing, the team can track sales and transfers, identifying patterns that might lead to non-renewal.
"Season ticket holders who frequently resell their tickets might face renewal issues," the team stated. The Packers encourage selling to known fans, using platforms like the NFL Ticket Exchange only sparingly.
While the team has reversed some decisions, they don't disclose specifics. Popkey acknowledged that life situations can arise, but individual cases aren't publicly discussed.
Some fans have shared their stories. One former ticket holder, a U.S.
Navy veteran, was unable to attend games and was not renewed despite explaining his situation. Another family, with ties to the team dating back to the 1950s, lost their tickets due to inability to attend games, despite plans to pass them to the next generation.
A Gold package holder noted the difficulty of attending games scheduled at inconvenient times. He argued that he wasn't warned about the potential loss of tickets due to reselling and would have adjusted his actions if informed.
The Packers' agreement allows them to revoke tickets at any time, for any reason. Instructions for appealing non-renewal decisions are included with notices.
Some fans have pointed out the irony of the Packers being pleased when fans fill opposing stadiums, yet trying to limit opposing fans at Lambeau Field. Popkey acknowledged the allure of Lambeau for visiting fans but stressed the desire to keep their numbers low on game day.