[...]DHB, receivers catching on – Inside the Oakland Raiders – A look inside the world of the highly classified Oakland Raiders from the writers of Bay Area News Group[...]…

[...]DHB, receivers catching on – Inside the Oakland Raiders – A look inside the world of the highly classified Oakland Raiders from the writers of Bay Area News Group[...]…

Club seats are worth the price…but, if you want the rowdy Raiders crowd experience, maybe the stands are the place for you — especially if you actually like being outside.

The Black Hole is a blast…but it’s packed, and scalped tickets on sold-out games are expensive. West side is the place to be in late afternoon, if you don’t like the sun in your eyes. The high-up “Mt. Davis” East-side seats are waaaay high, but you can see everything. And I mean everything.

There are great seats all over, though, high and low. Some of my faves are in the corners, on either the 1st or 2nd levels. Great crowds in those sections, too — not too many costumes to peek-around, either!

Many Saturday nights before Sunday games (and some Sunday nights after wins)…the Oakland Airport Hilton bar is the place to be to get a hat or shirt autographed…bring your own marker!

But seriously seeing my first game live is going to be huge, I’ve been there for Plunkett, suffered through Mark Wilson, Jay Schreoder, Steve Buerlein, Hos, almost got there in 02, but finally my first game, and I don’t want to miss a thing!

What do I have to check out at the tailgate party? Where is the best section to see the game? If not the Black hole? Where should we stay? How should we get to the game? Taxi? Rental? Any advice at all!

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Roch — You either bring your tailgate party with you, or you join somebody else’s.

There are plenty of Official Raiders Booster Clubs listed @ Raiders.com…pick one of the local clubs (Vaca-Valley is one of my faves for out-of-towners) and see about joining their party. You’ll be well taken care of…and you’ll meet life-long Raiders friends.

As for hotels near the stadium…there are a few decent places to stay…but not much “activity” around them for tourists. Make sure the hotel you pick has a restaurant (and bar!), or has one next to it. If you’re staying for more than an overnight…a rental car is in order. Multiple taxi rides can get expensive, since most tourist-friendly things to do are not near the stadium.

The Raiders (and frequently their opponents) stay in a sequestered part of the Oakland Airport Hilton. You may find ex-players and coaches (even HOF’ers) wandering the grounds/rest/bar there. Autographs happen! The Hilton’s a bit more expensive than a few other hotels nearby…but they’ve got all you need.

Here are a few hotels that are prepared to handle Raiders fans for game weekends…and they have shuttles to/from games, and sometimes other game-weekend activities.

Be careful picking a hotel in Oakland, only a handful nearby the stadium are worthy of referal. Hook-up with a club to tailgate, and make a reservation to one of these places, and you’ll be set-up!

Oakland Airport Hilton…510-635-5000
Oakland Park Plaza…510-635-5300
Oakland Holiday Inn…877-410-6681

Go Raiders!

What do I have to check out at the tailgate party? Where is the best section to see the game? If not the Black hole? Where should we stay? How should we get to the game? Taxi? Rental? Any advice at all!

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sure… you’re canadian right???

wear blue and orange…

happy colors…

everyone will absolutely adore you…