The Eagles’ home opener next month will be a massive spectacle for fans of the Super Bowl champions – but the game is expected to a logistical nightmare for supporters.
Around 70,000 fans are expected to pack the stands of Lincoln Financial Field as Philly begins its season against the Cowboys on September 4.
But post-game travel has already been thrown into disarray due to transportation cuts that could leave thousands of fans stranded.
The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) generally runs 10 additional trains for fans after games, with between 14,000 and 17,000 spectators usually relying on the service to get home from the stadium.
However, due to SEPTA’s $213million budget deficit, the organization will now provide just four additional trains following the Cowboys contest – a figure that will only be able to accommodate 4,000 fans, SEPTA general manager Scott Sauer said at a hearing.
‘The opener on September 4th, just to put it bluntly, will be chaotic,’ Sauer said, via ABC6.
Eagles fans are bracing for a travel nightmare for their home opener this season
Saquon Barkley and the Eagles will take on the Cowboys at home on September 4
And while Eagles fans have a couple of weeks to plan ahead – or decide if they even want to attend the game – they already began fuming once the travel fracas emerged this week.
‘Don’t think people are realizing just how big of a disaster this is going to be,’ Eagles Nation wrote on X, in response to Fox 29’s Bob Kelly.
‘If you’ve ever been to a game, and seen what it’s like near the subway station/the spots people try to get Ubers… imagine another possible 8,000+ people there. Netflix might make a doc about this.’
‘Fire the execs at SEPTA…it’s run like a government,’ another fan added.
And a third said: ‘Septa is one of the worst run railways in the country man . In the city of Philadelphia where ppl actually use it to this level there’s no excuse 4 some s*** to b this bad.’
While the SEPTA cuts are set to go into effect this weekend, they could have long-standing impacts well beyond the Eagles’ home opener.
At the Pennsylvania House Democratic Policy Committee hearing, the transit agency also warned that Phillies playoff games and even next year’s World Cup could be affected.
Six games will be hosted at the ‘Linc’ during the tournament, including a round of 16 game on July 4.
SEPTA is said to be in discussions with city officials to figure out contingency plans for the World Cup.
