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Readers ask about Lambeau cover and cost of watching NFL games
TL;DR
Fans are inquiring about the feasibility and cost of adding a roof to Lambeau Field. Reporter Richard Ryman indicates that it would be challenging and expensive to implement such changes.
Green Bay Press-Gazette reporterĀ Richard RymanĀ responds to fans' questions about theĀ Green Bay Packers. This is a regular feature published weekly as long as there are questions to answer.
You can send questions toĀ rryman@usatodayco.com.
Paul: How difficultĀ would it be to put a roof overĀ LambeauĀ Field?
Jeff: Would the Packers ever enclose, in glass perhaps, the lower exterior of Lambeau Field? Have they considered it as part of prior renovations/expansions?
Richard Ryman: If would be difficult to put a roof on the existing Lambeau Field, I expect. And more than that, expensive.
I did ask Somerville Architects & Engineers, who designed the original new City Stadium, later named Lambeau Field, about your question. Their response was:
"Given our long history with Lambeau Field, we understand the curiosity around whether it could be enclosed. In broad terms, enclosing an existing stadium, particularly one with Lambeauās history, structure, and scale, would require a significant and highly detailed feasibility study. Factors such as the existing structural system, foundations, wind and snow loads, mechanical systems, historic considerations, and construction phasing would all need to be carefully evaluated. Itās not something that can be meaningfully answered without that level of analysis."
I answered a question like this before, but had not had a chance to inquire with the Somerville folks. Could it be done, probably, but the two key points remain cost and acceptance. It likely would cost more than the Packers would be willing to spend and the pushback from fans would be severe.
More: Readers wonder about dome on Lambeau, or team flying to games earlier
But never say never as technology marches on. An interesting idea was suggested for Solider Field using ethylene tetrafluoroethylene, also called ETFE, a durable, lightweight, transparent fluoropolymer film.
You can see a video on the Soldier Field pitch here.
The Bears, who want to have a new stadium, reportedly are planning that it be covered, which would leave Lambeau as the only non-covered stadium in the NFC North.
There is advantage in that for the Packers. When Chicago, Detroit or Minnesota play at Lambeau in December and January, the Packers would seemingly have an edge, and when the Packers play at their opponents' places, it would always be on more equal footing.
Jeff, as to enclosing the exposed concourses at Lambeau Field, that's not on their to-do list. It's another case where cost would be a factor, and given that the stadium is open anyway, it might not accomplish much. But I do agree, those open concourses can become cold, uncomfortable wind tunnels when the wind is blowing the right way. We asked the question, so maybe now they'll think about it.
Mike: Iām almost 77 years old, live by myself, and, naturally, on an extremely fixed income. I have cable TV, but itās almost getting too costly. The only reason I keep it is because Iām a sports fan, but Iām getting more and more frustrated. Christmas Day, Iām all by myself and want to watch NFL football, but canāt do it because itās not over the air or on my cable. [I can not] afford to pay extra for these streaming services.
Richard Ryman: Mike, some members of Congress apparently share your concerns.
I wrote a story recently about the Packers' concerns about a congressional committee possibly reconsidering the Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961, which gives NFL teams limited anti-trust immunity to collectively negotiate contracts with broadcast television networks, as opposed to requiring every team to do so individually. I read that the act does not extend to streaming services, but the NFL proceeds in the same way when dealing with YouTube and Amazon and others. That allows the league to have revenue sharing, which is critically important to the continued existence of the Packers.
More: Packers concerned about possible changes to NFL media legislation
U.S. Rep. Scott Fitzgerald, a Wisconsin Republican, is chairman of the Regulatory Reform and Antitrust Subcommittee of the House Judiciary Committee, which reportedly is looking into the act, in part because colleges and universities want to now have the same permission to negotiate collectively.
Fitzgerald's response to inquiries about what the committee was doing, was: "The Judiciary Committee is examining how the Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961 affects fan viewership options, particularly as college NIL issues continue to evolve. I am committed to ensuring Wisconsin sports fans have access to their teamsā games without having to pay for multiple cable and streaming packages.ā
Former Green Bay Packers receiver Randall Cobb talks to the media at Lambeau Field before departing on the annual tailgate tour on April 14, 2026, in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
Former Green Bay Packers running back Brandon Jackson talks to the media at Lambeau Field before departing on the annual tailgate tour on April 14, 2026, in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
Green Bay Packers linebacker Edgerrin Cooper talks to the media at Lambeau Field before departing on the annual tailgate tour on April 14, 2026, in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
Former Green Bay Packers receiver James Jones talks to the media at Lambeau Field before departing on the annual tailgate tour on April 14, 2026, in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
Former Green Bay Packers linebacker Desmond Bishop talks to the media at Lambeau Field before departing on the annual tailgate tour on April 14, 2026, in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
Green Bay Packers President and CEO Ed Policy, left, talks to former Packers receiver Randall Cobb at Lambeau Field before departing on the annual tailgate tour on April 14, 2026 in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
Green Bay Packers bus departs Lambeau Field for the annual tailgate tour on April 14, 2026 in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
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Packers Tailgate Tour kicks off with thoughts of what's ahead for team
Former Green Bay Packers receiver Randall Cobb talks to the media at Lambeau Field before departing on the annual tailgate tour on April 14, 2026, in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
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Packers Tailgate Tour kicks off with thoughts of what's ahead for team
Former Green Bay Packers receiver Randall Cobb talks to the media at Lambeau Field before departing on the annual tailgate tour on April 14, 2026, in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
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Green Bay Packers tailgate tour departs Lambeau Field
Former Green Bay Packers running back Brandon Jackson talks to the media at Lambeau Field before departing on the annual tailgate tour on April 14, 2026, in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
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Packers Tailgate Tour kicks off with thoughts of what's ahead for team
Green Bay Packers linebacker Edgerrin Cooper talks to the media at Lambeau Field before departing on the annual tailgate tour on April 14, 2026, in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
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Green Bay Packers tailgate tour departs Lambeau Field
Former Green Bay Packers receiver James Jones talks to the media at Lambeau Field before departing on the annual tailgate tour on April 14, 2026, in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
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Green Bay Packers tailgate tour departs Lambeau Field
Former Green Bay Packers linebacker Desmond Bishop talks to the media at Lambeau Field before departing on the annual tailgate tour on April 14, 2026, in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
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Green Bay Packers tailgate tour departs Lambeau Field
Green Bay Packers President and CEO Ed Policy, left, talks to former Packers receiver Randall Cobb at Lambeau Field before departing on the annual tailgate tour on April 14, 2026 in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
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Green Bay Packers tailgate tour departs Lambeau Field
Green Bay Packers bus departs Lambeau Field for the annual tailgate tour on April 14, 2026 in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
The risk, of course, is that they do something to screw up the NFL's revenue sharing program, and by extension, the salary cap, which has made the NFL the most competitive and most successful professional sports league. And made the Packers' continued competitiveness, not to mention their existence, possible.
Football teams' games are always available over free television in their home markets. For the Packers, that's the Green Bay and Milwaukee markets. But to your point, Mike, that doesn't help if you want to watch other games, or you're a Packers fan in, say, Chattanooga. Or western Wisconsin, for that matter.
So I would say, stay tuned.
Contact Richard Ryman atĀ rryman@usatodayco.com. Follow him on X atĀ @RichRymanPGĀ and on Instagram atĀ @rrymanPG.
This article originally appeared on Green Bay Press-Gazette: Readers ask about Lambeau cover and cost of watching NFL games
Q&A
What are the challenges of adding a roof to Lambeau Field?
Adding a roof to Lambeau Field would be difficult due to structural limitations and high costs.
Has the Green Bay Packers considered enclosing Lambeau Field in glass?
There have been questions about enclosing the lower exterior of Lambeau Field, but it has not been confirmed as part of any renovations.
How much would it cost to put a roof over Lambeau Field?
While specific costs are not detailed, it is expected to be very expensive to add a roof to the existing stadium.
Who can I contact with questions about Lambeau Field renovations?
Questions about Lambeau Field renovations can be sent to reporter Richard Ryman at rryman@usatodayco.com.