The 161st Lafayette vs. Lehigh football game has sold out, the first home Rivalry sellout since 2012. The past four Lafayette College-hosted matchups came close, but never reached Fisher Stadium’s 13,132-person capacity.
“Having both Lafayette and our rival enjoy standout seasons and competing for a Patriot League championship certainly has raised the level of interest in the game,” Director of Athletics Sherryta Freeman wrote in an email ahead of the college’s first home Rivalry game since 2022.
Phil LaBella, the college’s director of athletic communications, wrote in an email that the college will compile a list of fans interested in purchasing standing room tickets to the game. Anyone interested in a standing-only ticket can email [email protected], according to LaBella.
The game has drawn strong interest as both teams come into the game undefeated in Patriot League play, with a championship and automatic bid to the NCAA FCS postseason at stake. The last time the two teams met at Fisher Stadium, the Leopards were 3-7 overall, and the Mountain Hawks were just 2-8.
“It doesn’t get much better than this,” said John Troxell ‘94, the head football coach. “When you’re in the moment of coaching and playing, you really don’t even notice it, but hopefully for our kids and our staff, they see how many people are out to support what we’ve done.”
The college’s tailgating rules, according to LaBella, will be the same as the college’s past five home games, though Jeff Troxell, the college’s director of public safety, said that Public Safety will end tailgates around 12:15 p.m. and gradually move fans into the stadium.
“We’ll have an increased security police presence down here as well,” he said.
Multiple parking areas, including the Markle Parking Deck and lots located at March Field, Kirby Hall and Watson Hall, among others, will be closed over Rivalry Weekend. Public Safety has around 150 alternate spots for students seeking new parking, including at the Leopard Deck, Clinton Terrace and the arts campus, according to Troxell.
Students had mixed responses to the stricter security accompanying the sold-out game.
“They seem aimed at mitigating the possibility of a bad situation,” Annabel Hooey ‘28 said of the increased security measures. “I understand why they’re in force.”
Christo Maheras ‘26 said he plans to attend with family and friends and expects the home crowd to matter during the game.
“Going to Lehigh has been a pain, so having it here feels like a good opportunity for school spirit,” Maheras said. He added that parking worries persist because of changes to nearby parking decks and limited street access.
Other students said they are looking forward to the tailgate scene despite Public Safety’s presence.
Tom Contrucci ‘27 said the on-campus setting makes the rivalry more accessible and social.
“This is new for me,” he said. “Being on campus means we can just walk down the street and be part of everything.”
Makenna McCall ‘27 contributed reporting.