Fans will pack Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday for the first time since 2019 to watch their beloved Philadelphia Eagles take on the San Francisco 49ers in the season’s home opener. But first came the form of tailgating, which was missing from last year’s COVID-19 restricted games.
Parking lots around the stadium filled up early as tailgaters found their usual spots and often greeted each other with the Eagles cheer. Optimism is high after the Eagles beat the Atlanta Falcons, 32-6, in the season opener in Atlanta.
Many fans said that they were happy to be back in the parking lots — grilling, drinking and hanging out with friends. Smoke from grills, some commercial grade, filled the air as music blared from various tailgate parties.
The next home game will be Oct. 3 against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Eagles fans tailgate before the home opener against the San Francisco 49ers at Lincoln Financial Field, Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021. Tim Hawk | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
Brock Anderson, of Delaware County, Pennsylvania, dances while tailgating before the Eagles home opener against the San Francisco 49ers at Lincoln Financial Field, Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021. Tim Hawk | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
David Beak, of Telford, Pennsylvania, walks a SanFrancisco 49ers helmet before the Eagles home opener at Lincoln Financial Field, Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021. Tim Hawk | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
Eagle fans tailgate before the home opener against the San Francisco 49ers at Lincoln Financial Field, Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021. Tim Hawk | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
Eagles fans tailgate before the home opener against the San Francisco 49ers at Lincoln Financial Field, Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021. Tim Hawk | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
Markee Robinson grills chicken as part of The Driveway Team tailgate before the Eagles home opener against the San Francisco 49ers at Lincoln Financial Field, Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021. Tim Hawk | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
Eagles fans tailgate before the home opener against the San Francisco 49ers at Lincoln Financial Field, Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021. Tim Hawk | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
Eagles fans and 49ers fans from South Jersey tailgate before the home opener against the San Francisco 49ers at Lincoln Financial Field, Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021. Tim Hawk | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
Eric Wayne, of Media, smokes a pig before the Eagles home opener against the San Francisco 49ers at Lincoln Financial Field, Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021. Tim Hawk | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
Eagles fans tailgate before the home opener against the San Francisco 49ers at Lincoln Financial Field, Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021. Tim Hawk | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
Eagles fans tailgate before the home opener against the San Francisco 49ers at Lincoln Financial Field, Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021. Tim Hawk | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
Chris Buzzuro, of Middletown, Delaware, plays washers before the Eagles home opener against the San Francisco 49ers at Lincoln Financial Field, Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021. Tim Hawk | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
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Tim Hawk may be reached at thawk@njadvancemedia.com. Follow Tim on Instagram @photog_hawk.
