To enrich the game-day experience for their fans, the Baltimore Ravens have added some new and helping enhancements in and around M&T Bank Stadium beginning in the 2009 season.
Following is a list of what is new and different at the stadium:
Recycling Program – Throughout the season, Ravens fans will be able to recycle their used plastic beverage bottles in more than 400 Coca-Cola Recycling bins and barrels placed around M&T Bank Stadium as part of the recycling and education program supported by Coca-Cola. To kick off the program, the Coca-Cola Recycling Educational Vehicle will be in front of M&T Bank Stadium before the pre-season game against the New York Jets on Aug. 24, 2009. The Vehicle will inform and entertain fans with contest, videos, music and prizes. During each home game, a video will be shown that encourages fans to recycle.
"We envision a world where our packaging is seen as a valuable resource that can be re-used to produce a number of products, from new beverage containers to shirts and bags," said Dori Silverman, area vice president, Coca-Cola North America. "No matter what the score is on the field, the Ravens and the community win each time a fan recycles at the stadium and reduces the amount of trash that ends up in local landfills."
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Renovated North Club Level – The Ravens have fully renovated the North Club Level during the offseason -- replacing the existing carpet and hard surface flooring with new carpet and terrazzo flooring that features a magnificent Ravens bird head logo inlayed on the 50 yard line. The Ravens have swapped out all of the existing furniture with new updated seating and lounging furnishings. The Ravens have also added 24 new LCD TV monitors to the north club level, which now brings the total monitor count to 76, and added multiple drink rails throughout the lounge. The Ravens repositioned some of the concession areas to allow for larger lounging spaces and more eating areas on the North Club. The Ravens have also enhanced the size of the team retail store on the North Club. This completes the final phase of a three-year project that totally renovated both the North and South Club Lounges at M&T Bank Stadium. The first phase of the project involved adding artwork that depicts the history of football in Baltimore, celebrates the on-field successes of the Ravens franchise, highlights current and past player performances, and displays fan quotes that provides a sense of the Ravens' game-day experience. The renovations were completed at a cost of $5 million.
Club Level – In addition to the newly renovated Club Level, the Ravens have upgraded the four small corner bars on the Club Level with a specific theme for each bar to include a Patron Bar, Crown Royal Bar, Bacardi Rum Bar and Stolichnaya Vodka Bar.
Lottery Ticket Sales – The Ravens have entered into an agreement with the Maryland Lottery to partner on a scratch off ticket. In addition to traditional retail sales, this ticket will be sold in and around the stadium on game days. The Ravens will have 10 hawkers roaming the lots prior to the game and then moving inside as the crowd enters the stadium. The Ravens will have up to six stationary vending stations on the lower concourse, three stationary vending stations on the Club Level and four stationary vending stations on the upper level. The stadium should also provide fans with the ability to redeem tickets up to $600. **
Text for Help – The Ravens have established a text number for fans sitting in the seating bowl to report fan behavior that is not in keeping with the Ravens Fan Code of Conduct. Text to 78247 the word "Ravens" the specific issue requiring assistance and the seat location. The Ravens included the "Text for Help" information in ticket packets sent to season ticket holders and there is signage throughout the stadium seating bowl to inform fans of "Text for Help" line.
Talon Pub (Lower Concourse) –Talon Pub will add Jack Daniels spirits along with Guinness beer products to its list of offerings.
Ravens Ticket Exchange –As part of "My Ravens Account," PSL Owners will have the opportunity to post tickets for sale for games they cannot attend. The Ravens Ticket Exchange will also provide a safe place for fans to purchase tickets to sold-out games.
Gate Openings –The Ravens will adjust the gate opening times for games from two hours prior to kickoff to 90 minutes prior to kickoff. Parking lot opening times, which are set at five hours prior to kickoff, will not change.
Park & Ride –The Ravens are working with a consortium of local charter bus companies to provide affordable bus service to home games. Ravens fans can purchase passes in advance for the entire 2009 regular season or just pay by individual game. Park and Ride pick up locations include White Marsh Park & Ride, Carney Park & Ride, Southwest Park & Ride, Dorsey Rd. Park & Ride, Rohrbaugh's Terminal in Manchester, Md., the Target in Westminster, and Hyatt Place in Owings Mills. Call 410.391.8700 to make reservations or for more information.
Closed Captioning – Through a new partnership with Colorado Captioning, a word-for-word transcript of all public address and referee announcements is transmitted, virtually instantly, to any web-enabled hand-held device. Fans may use their own hand-held device, or with proper identification, pick one up at Guest Services on Game Day and return it at game's end. There is no charge for this service.
Ravens Walk – To add to the pre-game experience, the Ravens are adding a 15' x 8' large screen LCD TV on Ravens Walk, which is located north of the stadium through parking lots B/C. The Ravens will also be enhancing the areas between the food and beverage stations on Ravens Walk with branded barricades.
