The lots opened at 1:20 p.m., and thousands of fans poured in, bringing food, flair, and high hopes for the season. For many, the excitement felt like a holiday.
"I can't wait. I couldn't sleep all night. Two, three o'clock in the morning waiting for this game," said Dwight Williams of South Philadelphia.
Some fans began preparing their meals the night before. Eric Wayne, an Eagles fan, said, "I have a 72-pound pig in the smoker... ready at 5:30 tonight." Another fan added, "Right now we are firing up the kielbasa."
Jay Pearson of Cherry Hill, New Jersey, hosted dozens of fans outside his RV, named Snowballs at Santa. He described the pregame ritual as a slow build-up.
"It's just like practice, you know... you prepare yourself during the week. And then when you get here... it's a crescendo... when you get here you gotta unpack and it's a slow burn right to when we go in," Pearson said.
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Fresh off a Super Bowl victory, fans expressed confidence in the team's chances this season. With key players like Saquon Barkley, A.J. Brown, Jalen Hurts, and much of the defense returning, expectations are high.
"I see another run for the championship and another trophy for the shelf," said Gregory Stuart of North Philadelphia.
The evening's festivities will include the unveiling of the Super Bowl banner - a moment fans hope sets the tone for another championship season.
"We got here about 2 a.m.," said Carmen Conti, of Washington Twp. "Been setting up. Meeting and greeting everybody. It's like a big family reunion out here. We love it."
Countdown to kickoff for Eagles home opener against the Cowboys at the Linc
But he didn't get here as early as Bill Grover, who was first in line for K Lot with the RV.
"I gotta about 50 people showing up. I hired a band. They are coming. So it's a big tailgate," Grover said.
Eric Wayne, Jeremy Smith, and their tailgating crew kicked off preparations 24 hours early, with a menu that includes smoked brisket egg and cheese sandwiches, crab cakes, and a 50-pound pig roast.
Eagles fans already begin tailgating preps outside Linc
"My tailgate partner is doing the pig, and our pig's name is Jerral Hogfather Jones," said Smith, of Port Richmond. "This is like Candyland. This is a trifecta: we have the Cowboys, the home opener, and we get to drop a banner on Jerral. You can't go wrong with that."
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Eagles fans ready for season opener against Cowboys at the Linc
"This is an epic event right here," said Gregory Stuart, of North Philadelphia. "We get to drop the banner, the Super Bowl Champs. We are playing one of the most relevant teams in football. So it's time to show what real stars are."
Excitement is high as the reigning Super Bowl champions begin their quest for a repeat.
"We gotta bring our best and be ready for it. We're gonna win some, we're gonna lose some. At the end of the day, I think we'll be back in the Super Bowl," said Wayne of Media.
Ticket demand is already breaking records.
Eagles season opener is 'hottest ticket this NFL season'
"This is the hottest ticket this NFL season," said Kyle Zorn of TickPick.com. "It's the most expensive Eagles game on record for a regular season game."
Standing-room-only tickets are going for around $280, with the average fan spending about $774. Roughly 8% of ticket sales are coming from Texas, while the majority are from the tri-state area.
Some fans say the price is worth every penny.
Eagles fans tailgate early for season opener against Cowboys at Linc
"I would pay a thousand dollars just to see a Cowboys fan cry - let alone get in the stadium," said Mike Nappi, who was filming videos in the parking lot.
Cowboys fans, like Jimmy Woodson of Houston, Texas, are gonna have to just sit and watch. But he's taking it in stride.
"If anybody is going to win it, let it be a team from the NFC East," Woodson humbly said.
Fans from across the country were spotted at the Eagles Pro Shop, stocking up on merchandise ahead of the banner unveiling.
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"I'm expecting to cry because I'm so happy to be here," said Julie Bellone of Syracuse.
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