Packers playoff game could cost $900 and up, excluding airfare, for out-of-town fans

GREEN BAY – It wouldn't take much for this weekend's Green Bay Packers-Seattle Seahawks game to cost out-of-town fans $900 or more.

The estimate is based on driving to Green Bay for the game. If flying to the game, add an extra $600 to $1,200, depending on too many variables to account for, including buying tickets at the last minute.

The NFC divisional-round playoff game is scheduled for 5:40 p.m. Jan. 12 at Lambeau Field.

The two biggest expenses, of course, are a hotel room and ticket. This estimate assumes two hotel nights. For the Chicago Bears game on Dec. 16, the average rate on Saturday was $276 and on Sunday night $264, according to the Greater Green Bay Area Lodging Association.

Fans might cut costs if they can secure a short-term rental, such as through Airbnb, but those are likely to be in short supply, which could force prices higher.

RELATED:Green Bay Packers playoff ticket prices could increase once opponent is known

RELATED:Coming to Green Bay for Packers playoff game Sunday? Here's what the forecast says

Secondary market ticket prices change daily. As of Monday, some tickets were still available in the $155 to $165 range in the upper south end zone, which, although high in the bowl, have the advantage of being real seats as opposed to benches.

Marty Piette, director of Green Bay Austin Straubel International Airport, said a few seats might still be available on flights into Green Bay this weekend or out of Green Bay on Monday, but that they would cost more because of demand and the short timeframe.

Piette said the airport has contacted the airlines serving Green Bay to see if they can use larger jets to increase the number of available seats.

“Friday, Saturday and Monday, every seat is going to be full and it will be a challenge to get in and out (of the airport), but we will be ready for the traffic,” Piette said.

There are other things to do this weekend that will not cost a lot.

Activities in the Packers' Titletown District include ice skating, snow tubing and an opportunity to create your own snow art.

The city of Green Bay will host a pep rally at 3:30 p.m. Friday at North Washington and Cherry streets.

RELATED:Downtown Green Bay to host Packers pep rally ahead of team's playoff game

Fans who aren't rallied out can attend a Packers Everywhere event at 6 p.m. Saturday at The Turn restaurant in the Titletown District.  

That pep rally will include Packers President/CEO Mark Murphy greeting fans and participating in a question and answer session with Wayne Larrivee, the radio voice of the Packers. Fans also can win giveaway items and take photos with Packers alumni James Jones and Al Harris. Packers.com’s Mike Spofford and Wes Hodkiewicz will preview the next day’s game to conclude the event.

Jones and Harris will sign autographs in the Lambeau Field Atrium from 11 a.m. to noon on Saturday. Also, Jones will be at various places around Lambeau from 4:10-5:10 p.m. Sunday, while Harris will meet fans in Lambeau Field's club level at the same time.

Harris and Jones, along with Antonio Freeman and Pro Football Hall of Fame finalist Leroy Butler will participate in stadium tours Saturday. Harris will be on the tour from noon to 1 p.m., Jones from 12:15-1:15 p.m., Freeman from 12:30-1:30 p.m. and Butler from 2-3 p.m. Tours are $59 per person and should be booked in advance. Do so at packershofandtours.com/explore/stadium-tours.

The Gilbert Brown tailgate party will kick off at 3 p.m. Sunday at Stadium View Bar, Grill & Banquet, 1963 Holmgren Way, Ashwaubenon. Packers alumni Santana Dotson and Dave Robinson will meet fans and sign autographs. Autographs are $25 per player, with $10 inscriptions.

Freeman will be at the Event USA tailgate party at Green Bay Distillery at 2:40 p.m. Costs are $25 or $45. Freeman will pose for photographs and sign autographs for a fee.

Here are the estimated costs. Wisconsin-based Packers fans are notable for being thrifty, so individual results might vary.

The costs:

Hotel: One room, two nights, $540 (based on average per night price in Brown County).

Ticket: Upper south end zone, $160.

Parking: Lambeau Field lot, $40. Parking can be cheaper at neighborhood homes, generally from $20 to $40.

Food at Lambeau: Beer, $8.25; regular soda, $5.25; brat, $7; hot chocolate, $4.75.

Other food: $100, assuming two restaurant meals, free hotel breakfast, two fast-food or bar lunches.

Beverage consumption: A highly individual estimate.

Contact Richard Ryman at 920-431-8342 or rryman@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @RichRymanPG, on Instagram at  @rrymanPG or  on Facebook at www.facebook.com/RichardRymanPG/