Levi's Stadium ready to go for regular season debut

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ByLilian Kim KGO logo
Friday, September 12, 2014
Levi's Stadium ready to go for regular season debut
The Niners' Levi's Stadium makes its regular season debut on Sunday and the 49ers have an elaborate opening ceremony planned.

SANTA CLARA, Calif. (KGO) -- The Niners' Levi's Stadium makes its regular season debut on Sunday and the 49ers have an elaborate opening ceremony planned.

But when ABC7 News asked by e-mail whether NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell would attend, a team spokesman responded, "not sure."

Either way, the new sod is in place, the field is painted and ready to go. The neighborhood is bracing for a huge onslaught of 49ers Faithful.

The details are being kept secret, but the pre-game show is supposed to be spectacular. Clearly, the 49ers want Sunday to be a memorable experience.

The field is just about done. Nearly 2.5 years since breaking ground, Levi's Stadium appears to be ready for the big stage.

The 49ers say they've learned a lot from the stadium's four pre-season events, which included two soccer matches and two Niners games.

The turf has gone through a complete overhaul and traffic plans and signs have been tweaked.

"We are ready. That's what we've been doing for the last four events we've hosted at the stadium, is tweaking and preparing and planning and I think the NFL regular season is the time we've all been shooting for as our grand unveiling," 49ers spokesperson Bob Lange said.

Fans are being urged to arrive as early as 1:30 p.m. for the home opener, 3.5 hours before the not-to-be-missed pre-game show.

The 49ers say there are plenty of things to do to keep busy.

Fans can walk around the stadium, tour the museum or tailgate at the faithful mile.

"I'll never forget that day we bought those tickets and we've been pumped about it ever since," Tony Mendoza

Mendoza and Ray Gutierrez paid $400 each for their tickets to Sunday's game.

They say the home opener at a brand new stadium is a once in a lifetime opportunity.

"Absolutely, absolutely. I mean at a regular game, maybe hard to do, but big games like this, it's priceless," Gutierrez said.

As for the people who live near the stadium, many are just as excited, but they're hoping things don't get out of hand.

Those attending the games aren't supposed to park in the neighborhoods, but during the pre-season events many still found their way in, littering and urinating along the way.

"We just want people to be more aware and self-conscious about our residential areas and just being courteous," Santa Clara resident Es Esposo said.

A simple request to the tens of thousands of fans who plan to be there for the 49ers very special day.

Everyone who attends Sunday's game will be getting a special commemorative ticket. Among those, there'll be 501 golden tickets that can be redeemed for a $50 gift card to any Levi's store.