It’s a Philly Thing: Eagles fans take tailgate to a whole new level ahead of NFC Championship

Eagles fans partied hard – in the South Philadelphia stadium parking lots and elsewhere – hours before the Birds kicked off against the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship Game on Sunday.

According to 94 WIP, fans started showing up to South Philly around 4 a.m. to get a kickstart on tailgating.

By 10 a.m., the smell of barbecued meat floated in the air amid dozens – perhaps hundreds – of games of cornhole outside Lincoln Financial Field. DJs played music for impromptu dance parties, and people attempted to meet up with friends.

Multiple RVs advertised cigars for sale, and at least one group of Girl Scouts appeared to be doing well hawking cookies.

Lines for the porta-potties stretched nearly a block, though seasoned tailgators brought their own pop-up tents.

Sunday morning, Center City was quiet, except for pedestrians strolling in Eagles jerseys and other green gear. Barricades were set up on Market Street and other nearby roads.

At SEPTA’s City Hall Station, spontaneous Eagles chants erupted, and young fans drank hard seltzers and light beer on the packed Broad Street Line trains to NRG Station.