Packer Fan Tours In the News
Bears, Vikings games increase in appeal
By Maureen Wallenfang, Post-Crescent staff writer
Posted April 27, 2006
The Web site for www.packerfantours.com started getting hits at 11 p.m. Tuesday, minutes after fans learned that Brett Favre was returning to the Green Bay Packers this season.
Once the Packer Fan Tours phone lines opened Wednesday morning, all hell broke loose.
"We sold hundreds and hundreds of packages in the first several hours," said Dennis Garrity, owner of the official tour company for the Packers, reached at his Green Bay office early Wednesday afternoon. "It could hit 1,000 by the end of the day."
What a difference a day made.
Sales had been lagging up until the star quarterback made his decision public. Garrity called the fan reaction "an explosion of interest."
Every game was selling, he said, but the two hottest home tickets were the opener Sept. 10 against the Chicago Bears and season finale Dec. 21 against the Minnesota Vikings.
"Those two are leading the pack," he said. "The most popular is the last game against the Vikings."
Packer Fan Tours offers a variety of packages for home games that range from a ticket plus pre-game tailgating party ($139 for the Lions game) to an elaborate weekend package that includes a game ticket, two nights of lodging and weekend activities, including an exclusive cocktail party where fans rub elbows with current players ($589, also for the Lions.)
Those prices, set before Favre confirmed his return, likely will rise because of supply and demand, Garrity said.
"We have a certain body of products committed to us, but the market will fluctuate. We've got to pay what the market will bear. Prices are going to start rising," he predicted. "We're relying on season ticket holders for tickets, and a lot are going to say 'hmmmmm.' Or 'we want more money for these tickets.' We're going to try to keep prices modest as long as we can."
Garrity said they're still finalizing details for road games, and those packages will be available in the coming days.
"Clearly, there's going to be a lot of interest seeing Brett Favre at Lambeau or on the road," Garrity said. "Brett Favre transcends the Packers. He's up there with Michael Jordan. If this is your final chance to see this gentleman play, any true sports fan is going to do it, Packers fan or not."
Source: Appleton Post Crescent