Last Monday, Conti took to social media to express concerns about the tradition\u2019s future. In a post that read \u201cSave Philadelphia Tailgating,\u201d Conti explained the changes that could be coming to the South Philadelphia<\/a> sports complex. <\/p>\n \u201cIncreased restrictions in the parking lots threaten the larger tailgates that have become part of the Eagles game-day experience,\u201d Conti wrote on Facebook.<\/a> \u201cWe are being told that tailgating should be limited to the space directly in front of or behind a vehicle. But larger, organized tailgates often require four to six parking spaces for tents, tables, grills, food preparation, entertainment, equipment, and most importantly, room for people to safely gather.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd now there is another major concern: hand parking. Under this system, parking attendants would direct vehicles into specific spaces instead of allowing fans to park in the locations they have used for years. That might sound like a small change to someone who simply arrives, parks, and walks into the stadium. For established tailgates, it is anything but small.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00bb READ MORE: Inside the tailgates for the Eagles\u2019 home opener<\/a><\/p>\n Conti first learned about the news when security guards approached him at his tailgate during Week 1 vs. the Washington Commanders<\/a>. <\/p>\n \u201cThey try to do this like every three years,\u201d Conti said. \u201cThey try to implement something where it cracks down on the tailgate. It\u2019s a Philly tradition, you know, it\u2019s something my family has been doing since before I was born. Tailgating brings people together. It doesn\u2019t matter what team you\u2019re on. \u2026 It\u2019s our way of standing behind our team and bringing everybody together.\u201d<\/p>\n The new rules would crack down on the bigger tailgates, adding new restrictions on oversized vehicles. The Inquirer reached out to SP+, the parking management company, on Friday and have yet to receive a response. <\/p>\n However, SP+ did make an announcement on new guidelines, sent via email, that would be enforced \u201cin an effort to provide a smoother, more convenient parking experience for guests.\u201d<\/p>\n Here\u2019s what it said:<\/p>\n Oversized vehicles will be directed to park in designated locations by lot attendants. This new policy is designed to help ease traffic flow, keep lanes clear, and preserve parking availability for guests. <\/p>\n Guests with oversized vehicle prepaid parking passes will receive their standard four parking spaces with the option to purchase two additional spaces for $100 total, bringing the maximum number of spots to six. Guests without an oversized vehicle prepaid parking pass will be required to pay the $200 oversized vehicle parking rate upon arrival for the standard four spots, with the option to purchase two more spots for an additional $100.<\/p>\n Sports Complex Parking Venture<\/p>\n The designated parking for oversized vehicles will be in Lot D in the Xfinity Mobile Arena and the upper section of Lot N. Parking locations will be assigned and cannot be saved by guests. All equipment and vehicles must stay within the purchased space, and companion standard-sized cars and trucks will not be permitted to park in the areas designated for oversized vehicles.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t think it\u2019s terribly surprising, although it does stink for the bigger tailgates that rely on being grouped together,\u201d said Dylan Marck, a self-taught chef who has been serving high-end cuisines<\/a> at tailgates since 2022. \u201cBut getting in and out has always been a mess, even with permits, so it\u2019s not really surprising that they\u2019re trying to change it up and maximize that space.\u201d<\/p>\n Changes will be enforced for the next home game scheduled for Oct. 4 vs. the Los Angeles Rams \u2014 leaving some tailgaters worried about the communities that have been built in the parking lots of the South Philadelphia sports complex. <\/p>\n \u201cI do think it could effectively end a lot of the bigger tailgates and little micro communities that developed,\u201d Marck said. \u201cPersonally, not looking forward to potentially being whisked to a random spot and then having to figure it out from there, but we will adapt. We always do.\u201d<\/p>\n \u2018Ready to fight\u2019 <\/p>\n On Wednesday, Conti and other tailgaters affected by the change held a news conference at South Philly Boxing Gym in South Philadelphia. <\/p>\n \u201cWhere are we at? A boxing gym,\u201d said Louis Jordan, a member of Hungry Dawgs tailgate. \u201cWe\u2019re ready to fight for what we believe in and what we love.\u201d <\/p>\n Conti emphasized that the tailgaters wanted a \u201cseat at the table\u201d to discuss the upcoming changes. To do so, the tailgaters moved to organize. <\/p>\n \u201cWe are starting a committee so we can actually sit down on the board,\u201d Conti said. \u201cThat\u2019s going to be chosen right after here, after we get done. It\u2019s going to be called the Philadelphia Tailgaters Association for Tailgate. We have to do something. We have to stand together.\u201d <\/p>\n Affordability was a major topic of the news conference. Multiple tailgaters emphasized that tailgating offers a low-cost alternative for families who cannot afford to attend an Eagles game. One noted he regularly gets \u201cheartfelt messages\u201d of gratitude from mothers who take their children to tailgates to get a game day experience. <\/p>\n This September, a single ticket to an Eagles game cost an average of $523. <\/a> <\/p>\n \u201cYeah, there\u2019s a lot of kids that come to the tailgates and the parents bring them just because they know it\u2019s safe,\u201d Kellie Berrios, a tailgate DJ, said. \u201dThey can walk around. There\u2019s food everywhere. Everyone\u2019s having good time. It makes you feel welcome.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00bb READ MORE: Vic Fangio says safety starters are staying put, won\u2019t increase Cooper DeJean\u2019s snaps at the position<\/a><\/p>\n Multiple tailgaters present also pointed out that FIFA bent its rules to allow tailgates outside of Lincoln Financial Field for the World Cup<\/a> this summer. At the time, a spokesperson for Philadelphia\u2019s local organizing committee told The Inquirer<\/a> that it was \u201ccommitted to delivering a World Cup that is authentically Philadelphia.\u201d <\/p>\n \u201cWe told FIFA we wouldn\u2019t change our tailgate culture for them,\u201d Jeremy Smith, a tailgate chef, said. \u201cSo why are you actually changing it for us? We don\u2019t understand. We like have a seat at the table.\u201d <\/p>\n Listen to the latest episode<\/p>\n The Eagles survived — again. This time, instead of holding on for dear life as they did in their opener against Washington, the Eagles came from behind in the final minutes to pull out a gutsy win at Tennessee, with their quarterback leading the way. With the Eagles 2-0, The Philadelphia Inquirer\u2019s Jeff McLane and Mike Sielski examine Jalen Hurts\u2019 promising performance through two games, and dig into the uneven play of the defense.\u00a0Listen here.<\/a><\/p>\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/1790221329_656_circle_outline_footer_light_theme.png\"\/)
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