Bright lights, crowds, sudden cheering — even for a neurotypical person, a sporting event can be a lot to take. But for those with sensory sensitivities, it can be beyond overwhelming.

Philly Eagles’ Sensory-Friendly Room

Since 2019, the Philly Eagles have been able to add themselves to the list of Philly sensory-friendly attractions. The Philadelphia Eagles have made attending football games a little easier for families with autistic kids. The Philly Eagles became one of the first sports franchises to build a state-of-the-art sensory room in its home venue of Lincoln Financial Field.

The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), a founding beneficiary partner of the Eagles Autism Challenge, helped create the 500-square-foot sensory room. Medical professionals helped design the room to ensure a quieter and more secure environment for those with sensory challenges.

Guests who are having difficulty can retreat to this room at the stadium and find a quiet place to sit, play, and relax. The walls have fun tactile surfaces that can be manipulated by guests, and there are plenty of soft seating areas and resources available like fidgets, noise-canceling headphones, and weighted lap pads. The space was renovated entirely and reopened in the fall of 2023. 

Jeffrey Lurie, Chairman and CEO of the Philadelphia Eagles, remarked, “It is truly heartwarming to know that this state-of-the-art sensory room will now provide a sense of ease and comfort for families and loved ones who may be experiencing sensory challenges at Lincoln Financial Field. In this moment, we are creating a major shift from autism awareness to action, and it is all thanks to our compassionate and caring fans, Eagles Autism Challenge supporters, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, and the autism community around the world.”

In addition to the creation of the sensory room, Eagles employees and Lincoln Financial Field staff Eagles employees and Lincoln Financial Field staff underwent training by medical professionals on how to recognize guests with sensory needs and how to handle a sensory overload situation. Sensory bags are also made available to all guests as part of their experience.

To make their stadium and game experience more inclusive, the Eagles also reached out to KultureCity, a non-profit recognized nationwide for using its resources to revolutionize and effect change in the community for those with sensory needs. Prior to attending an event at Lincoln Financial Field, guests are encouraged to download the KultureCity app to gain a better understanding of what sensory features are available and where they can be accessed. An interactive social story on the app will provide a preview of what guests can expect while enjoying the stadium experience at Lincoln Financial Field.

The 2025 Eagles Autism Challenge

The sensory room is yet another step the Eagles are taking to help change the lives of those with autism. Every year, the Birds host the Eagles Autism Challenge, an event dedicated to raising funds for innovative autism research and programs. The event features a one-day bike ride and a family-friendly 5K run or walk. One hundred percent of participant-raised funds will go toward autism research and programs.

The next Eagles Autism Challenge Philly event will be held on Saturday, May 17, 2025.

“As a founding beneficiary of the Eagles Autism Challenge and committed partner of the Eagles, CHOP’s year-round support enables us to do great things for the Philadelphia community,” said Ryan Hammond, Executive Director of the Eagles Autism Challenge. “Thanks to their collaboration and overall investment in our new sensory room, the lives of thousands of families attending an event at Lincoln Financial Field will now be fully transformed.”

Photographs courtesy of the Philadelphia Eagles. This post was originally published in 2019 by Laura Swartz, and has been updated to promote the upcoming Eagles Autism Challenge.