Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia Eagles

Official Review by Geoff Crawley, Stadium Journey Correspondent

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Lincoln Financial Field is the home of the NFL’s Philadelphia Eagles. Built across the street from the former spot of the not at all missed Veterans Stadium, it is part of the massive Philadelphia Sports Complex, which includes Citizens Bank Park, home of the two time defending National League Champion Phillies, and the Wachovia Center, home of the NHL’s Flyers and the NBA’s 76ers.

The second of the three to be built, The Linc is a vast improvement over the Vet.

Food & Beverage   5/5

There is nothing missing here. You have all your ballpark classics, along with standard Philly classics like hoagies, cheesesteaks, soft pretzels and water ice, which is like the best Italian Ice you’ve ever had, only better. They offer veggie burgers (pretty good) and Vegan hot dogs (gross, don’t bother. I had to get a Tony Luke’s roast pork sandwich to wash it down). There is really good BBQ, and even turkey legs.

Do not, under any circumstances, leave the stadium without getting an order of Crab Fries from the mini Chickie’s and Pete’s. You will regret it for the rest of your life (unless you go to the big Chickie’s and Pete’s after the game- more on that later).

The beer selection is very good and well priced. There are none over eight bucks, and most are around seven.

Atmosphere   5/5

The atmosphere here is amazing. Tailgating is crazy, and it can be very difficult to play here for visitors. The stadium has special metal flaps over the top of each side which are designed to reflect the crowd noise back onto the field. When the Eagles score a touchdown, the fans sing the Eagles’ fight song, “Fly, Eagles, Fly.” (You saw “Invincible.” You know the words, don’t lie.) When the stadium is full, which is always, it gives you goose bumps. Unless you are a visiting fan.

Neighborhood   1/5

In the voice of Jim Mora, “Neighborhood? Don’t talk to me about neighborhood, are you kidding me?” There isn’t one. The stadium is part of the Philadelphia Sports Complex as mentioned above, which consists of three full sized sporting venues (four, if you count the Spectrum, now closed and soon to be demolished) and parking for each. There is a run of the mill Irish pub attached to Citizens Bank Park across the street (yawn) and one attached in the hotel behind Citizens Bank Park (YAWN.) The closest neighborhood bar, Chickie’s and Pete’s, is a 20-30 minute walk, which is, let’s be honest, impossible after an Eagles game. But it might be worth it. More on that later, but not close enough to really be considered part of the stadium’s neighborhood. A special mention goes to the Chickie’s and Pete’s Taxi Crab, which will drop you off before and pick you up after games if you valet park with them for ten bucks.

Fans   5/5

The fans are loud and rowdy, but actually much better behaved than they were at the Vet. Sort of. During my visit, which was during the soon to be legendary Blizzard of 2009, there were a lot of visiting fans, most of whom were vigorously hassled. There is the small matter of a couple of snowballs that were tossed harmlessly at visiting fans.

Ha ha, all in good fun. Seriously, don’t wear opposing jerseys here unless you are buying beers for everybody in your section. Or are a girl. Clinton Portis’ mom doesn’t count as a girl.

And contrary to legend, there is no jail in the stadium. That was at The Vet.

Access   3/5

The stadium is right off I-95, the main interstate on the East Coast. It is easy to find. Public transit is excellent. There is more parking than you will know what to do with, and it starts at $15. You may be able to get a special pass from a, uh, broker, to park in the lot right next to the stadium. Like with most of the new ballparks, bathrooms are plentiful, with family changing rooms in select locations. They were surprisingly clean.

The stadium is dinged two points here due to the fact that the entire upper level is not connected. So before you make the long, long, LONG trek to the upper level, MAKE SURE you are going to the right section, or you are going to be very angry (and tired) when you get up there.

Return on Investment   4/5

Sold out every week, the stadium has no tickets available except via, uh, brokers. But once you get in, there is a ton of stuff to do. You can make a recording of yourself singing the Eagle Fight Song, sample from tons of food, and there simply is not a bad seat in the house.

Extras   5/5

Chickie’s and Pete’s (www.chickiesandpetes.com) gives this the full 5 points here, in fact, if I could give more, I would. Not really close enough to walk (and not really feasible, either, you WILL be towed if you park here and go to the game), it really can’t be included in the neighborhood. (Its website claims to be walking distance. It’s not. To quote the comedian Steven Wright, “Everything is within walking distance if you have the time.”) But it is absolutely part of the whole picture. As mentioned above, you can valet park your car here for $10. The Taxi Crab will drive you to the Linc, then pick you up and bring you back after. The Crab Fries must be eaten to be believed. If you like seafood, this is the spot. If you like bar food, this is the spot. If you like giant TV screens almost one and a half stories tall, this is the spot.

How about video game playing pods? The new addition, PLAY2, has Amusement Pod Entertainment Centers, or apecs. You can reserve an apec and play PS3, Wii, or Xbox 360 games with your friends or against groups in other apecs. Or you can just hang out at the bar and watch people play in the apecs, or listen to the DJ. Seriously, this is a crazy great place.

It was rated “Best Sports Bar on the East Coast” by ESPN, and it lives up to it. They have “Beer Towers,” a three foot (or so) tall container of beer with a tap on it. It holds 120 ounces for $25 (domestic) or $30 (imported). It is ESPNZone without all the annoying glitz. It is your neighborhood bar with lots of makeup on, looking all hot at the club on a Friday night. You have to come here. Forget the stadium. Just come here.

Final Thoughts

The lack of a neighborhood notwithstanding, Lincoln Financial Field is an overall great place to see a game. Beyond the upper levels not being connected, which is really annoying, because it is not always obvious, the stadium really has no major flaws. Plus, you can always go to Chickie’s and Pete’s.

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