5 Most Fan-Friendly NFL Training Camps
Basketball and hockey have come to an end and the baseball season is well underway. That means that we are getting closer to football season, which also means that this American favorite sport will soon be beginning training camps. Starting in late summer, fans can gather to watch their favorite football team practice. Many travel to experience the thrill of watching their favorite players work on their skills before the season officially begins. Others who already live in areas where there are football camps make plans to adjust their schedules to make time to attend these training camps
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tampa knows how to host a training camp and how to take care of their fans. This training camp the Tampa Buccaneers will be hosting several opportunities for fans to be a part of their pre-season training. Fans will have plenty of opportunity to get autographs from players, meet the cheerleaders and shop from Buccaneer exclusive merchandise. Fans will be able to attend one (or more) of the 11 practices that will be open to the public. These sessions include three Saturdays and a joint session with the Cleveland Browns.
Camp practices are scheduled early in the morning, starting at 8:45 a.m. and lasting until approximately 10:50 a.m. This is to help the team and the fans beat the heat. Camp kicks off with a practice on July 28 and will be dedicated as Kids’ Day. This training camp experience will include an expansive Kids Zone featuring interactive football skills stations and other activities kids love. Military Appreciation Day will be held on July 29. The joint practice with the Cleveland Browns will be on Aug. 24 from 9:45 a.m. until approximately 11:50 a.m.
Related: Best Sports Bars in Tampa
Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys start off their training camp in Oxnard, California, but move mid-way through pre-season games back to Dallas. This makes it difficult for local fans to enjoy the pre-season, but those who make the effort to go to Oxnard will be able to enjoy performances put on by Rowdy, the team’s mascot. Not to mention special appearances and performances by the world-famous Dallas Cowboy cheerleaders.
Admission to the 2016 Dallas Cowboys Training Camp in Oxnard is free with a small fee for parking. Make sure to arrive early, because training is first-come, first-served until the facility reaches full capacity. Fun activities during the camp include a Kids Zone, the Hall of Fame Trailers will be on site, live radio remotes, team merchandise and appearances by players and coaches will be planned. Training camp officially kicks off on July 8, 2016 when the players arrive in Oxnard and the opening ceremony will be held on July 30.
Indianapolis Colts
The Indianapolis Colts opens up all of their training camp practices to the public for free. This means that even those fans on a tight budget can have the opportunity to watch their team practice and get ready for the upcoming season. When there, make sure to check out the camp’s most enticing feature, Colts City. This is a fan zone dedicated to diehards, giving them the opportunity to meet the players, have their pictures taken with the cheerleaders, get autographs, buy team gear and jump around in Colts-themed inflatables. There is even a special day planned dedicated to the kids in Colt City. Other themed days planned during training camp include BBQ Bash, Community Take Back Day and Armed Forces Day.
The players are set to arrive on Aug. 1, 2016, however, Colts City will be closed on this day. The festivities and fun begin on Aug. 2, Kids' Day, starting at 12:30 p.m. Training will be held on this day from 1:55 p.m. until 4: 40 p.m. Camp will be held approximately 45 minutes away from Indianapolis at the Division III campus at Anderson University
Green Bay Packers
Training camp for the Green Bay Packers allows fans to enjoy an opportunity to meet their favorite players without suffering through the bitter cold experienced during football season in Wisconsin. The best thing is that the Packers host their training camp approximately two hours from the Wisconsin Dells, making it possible for out of town fans to enjoy a family vacation before or after they stop by and watch the team practice. Training camp is hosted at St. Norbert College in De Pere, which is approximately a 10-minute drive from Lambeau Field.
The Packers will be hosting morning and night practices and many of these practices will be open to the public. Training camp for the Green Bay Packers is set to begin on July 26 at 8:15 a.m. Packers Family Night will be hosted on Sunday, July 31, 2016 at 6:25 p.m. at Lambeau Field.
San Diego Chargers
Training camp in San Diego offers fans beautiful weather, tons of area attractions and a chance to enjoy watching the Chargers get ready for the regular season. Training camp is being hosted at Chargers Park and will feature 11 public practices starting July 30, 2016 at 9:30 a.m. There will even be a joint practice with the Arizona Cardinals at Qualcomm Stadium in the evening of Tuesday, Aug. 16. Parking and admission to the training camp practices are free, including Fanfest on Aug. 6 and the joint practice with the Cardinals.
Gates will open an hour before practice begins and offer the fans an opportunity to find the perfect seat and time to walk around. There will be fun activities and the merchandise shops will be open
