Guess Who's on the Front of the Packers-Vikings Tickets?

Favre or no Favre, Packers Opening Night Tickets Still in Demand

Fans have begun pondering a pilgrimage to legendary Lambeau Field as the 2008 NFL schedule approaches, hoping to snare seats to the start of a new era in Green Bay Packers history.

For the first time since early in the 1992 season, the Packers will have someone other than Brett Favre starting at quarterback on September 8. While the game with the Minnesota Vikings was originally billed as Brett Favre Night, when the club would retire the jersey of the future Hall of Famer, Favre’s decision to return and his subsequent trade to the New York Jets hasn’t dampened enthusiasm among Packer fans.

PackFanatics, a website which brings Packer tickets and memorabilia on eBay to one central location, reports that there were over 550 completed auctions for Packers-Vikings tickets during the first 3 ½ weeks of August, with tickets selling for roughly double to triple their face value.

Ironically, it is Favre’s face which adorns the front of the tickets for the game.

Not long after Favre announced what would be a short-lived retirement, the Packers designed and ordered the printing of their 2008 game tickets. Like many NFL teams, the Packers have turned their game tickets into collector’s items with special designs commemorating a specific moment, personality or season.

Favre, perhaps the team’s greatest ever legend, was set to have his jersey retired that night and it was only logical that the long-time veteran’s image grace the ticket for the season opener against the Vikings.

The Packers will indeed open the season on September 8th against Minnesota, but Favre won’t be in the stadium. With Aaron Rodgers set to debut as the team’s new leader and the game set to be broadcast as the first of an ESPN Monday Night Football doubleheader, excitement is high.

Over 230 active listings for Packers-Vikings tickets were on eBay as of late August, with that number expected to grow in the days leading up to the opening game.

“Regardless of who is playing quarterback, a Packers season opener is always special,’ said PackFanatics.com founder Rich Mueller. “When it’s against the Vikings and played on national TV, it just adds to the excitement. Packer fans have been waiting months for this game and they’re anxious to see if the Packers can match last year’s incredible season.”

While ticket prices aren’t nearly selling for what they would have if Favre had kept his retirement promise, the absence of Favre—either as a player or honored guest—has meant tickets to a season opener are still relatively affordable for fans without a big bankroll.

PackFanatics.com is all things Packer and tickets are at the top of every fan’s wish list,” Mueller said. “The tickets themselves will be collector’s items because they show Favre on the front. It’s really a unique piece of Packer history and if you can buy tickets to watch the new era start, it’s the best of both worlds.”

And if you’re still a Favre fan at heart?

“We’ve got links to Favre Jets jerseys too.”