As the NFL season kicks off and football fans across the country gear up for game-day travel, thousands will be heading to Green Bay for a bucket-list stadium experience. When my 80-year-old dad and I set out on our own bucket-list trip last year to see the Cincinnati Bengals take on the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field, we were prepared for cold weather, legendary crowd energy, and classic football nostalgia. What we were not prepared for was the intense physical challenge of simply reaching our seats.

When it comes to game-day experiences, Green Bay’s Lambeau Field tops almost every sports fan’s bucket list. The open-air bowl, the traditional bleachers, and the sheer historical atmosphere make it a true cathedral of football. However, the exact features that make Lambeau quaint and legendary for some fans render it exceptionally inaccessible for anyone living with a mobility issue or disability.

I took my mobility scooter and my dad walked from the parking lot. There was surprisingly ample handicap parking, which helped cut down on the walking distance to the entrance. Big plus for Green Bay for having enough available spots!

The harsh reality of navigating the historic main bowl was brought home when my dad took a tumble while trying to get to our spot. The traditional seating bowl relies heavily on original-style bench seating where the steps are unusually high, steep, and completely lacking hand railings. I needed help from an usher to hold onto to simply get down the scary steep stairs to our seats.

Paired with narrow bleachers that offer minimal allotments per person and zero back support, getting up and down the bowl is a high-risk obstacle course for aging fans or anyone with limited mobility. The charm of “vintage football” quickly disappears the moment a loved one takes a dangerous spill just trying to watch a game. It’s important to note, that the seats we had were a gift, and not handicap accessible ones. However, having gone to other NFL stadiums, the main seating area at Lambeau is especially inaccessible. And that was disappointing.

Where to Find ADA-Accessible Seating

Lambeau Field does offer designated handicap-accessible seating, but to ensure a safe trip, fans must secure these specific spots in advance and bypass the general bowl entirely:

• 100 & 300 Level ADA Sections: Integrated around the main concourse perimeter (notably Row 61 platform areas) and upper bowl transitions, these spots offer flat, elevated views accessible via wide ramps and concourses.

• South End Zone (600 & 700 Levels): Constructed during stadium expansions, these sections feature dedicated elevator access, proper individual seats with backrests, and wider pathways.

• Indoor & Outdoor Club Levels (400–600 Levels): Climate-controlled environments with dedicated wheelchair/companion spaces and direct elevator service.

Navigating a historic venue requires moving strategically. As highlighted in Going to a Sporting Event: What People With Mobility Issues Need to Know, attending a live game with mobility challenges is entirely achievable with proper preparation, studying accessibility maps, and utilizing stadium resources. For places like Lambeau Field, booking these specialized accommodations isn’t just about extra comfort, it is an absolute necessity for safety. If you find yourself in a situation where you need to change your accommodations, resources like this guide on how to switch tickets can provide valuable help navigating ticketing options for accessible seating.

Sports fans with mobility issues deserve full access to sporting events and stadiums. As these new modern stadiums get built, we can hope that they take into considering accessibility for all. As for Lambeau, it’s rich in history, but lags far behind in accessibility.