Wisconsin will hold one of its practices at the Green Bay Packers practice facility this spring, according to a Wednesday release.
In preparation for its Sept. 3 season opener against LSU at Lambeau Field, UW will practice at the Don Hutson Center in Green Bay April 2.
“I’m excited for our players,” head coach Paul Chryst said in the release. “Lambeau Field is one of the great places in our sport and we’re really looking forward to playing there in September, but this gives them a chance to take some time and really see what it’s all about.”
Following practice, the Badgers will tour Lambeau Field and the Packers Hall of Fame.
“I have to say thank you to everyone in the Packers organization for helping give our players the opportunity,” Chryst said. “The hospitality from the Packers has been first class.”
Wisconsin’s third-consecutive season opener at a neutral-site stadium against an SEC opponent is part of its initiative to bolster the strength of its schedule, according to a February release.
“I think it sends a message that we want to schedule stronger,” UW Athletic Director Barry Alvarez said in the release. “Our league has made a commitment that we’re going to improve our nonconference games."
"I think it’s healthy,” Alvarez added. "I think it’s good for our players and staff to really focus in the offseason. I think that it’s fun for our fans—especially this one because you’re playing in-state.”
The Badgers have 40,000 tickets to distribute for the game, LSU gets 20,000 and the Packers handle allocation for the rest of the tickets.
The Athletic Department will make 7,500 tickets available to UW students. Student tickets will cost $48, and the allocation process for those tickets will be announced at a later date.
The Badgers’ spring practice and matchup with LSU further develops the trend of Wisconsin’s professional teams strengthening its ties to the state’s flagship university. The Milwaukee Bucks held a portion of its training camp in Madison in September and hosted a preseason game in the Kohl Center in October.
Although the Packers were technically unaffiliated, former Green Bay quarterback Brett Favre hosted a charity flag football game at Camp Randall Stadium in July, drawing fans from all corners of the state into Madison.
