Some fans say they’ll be headed to Santa Clara, while others plan to attend watch parties or watch from home.
STOCKTON, Calif. — Saturday is shaping up to be a big day for the San Francisco 49ers, and that excitement is already being felt in Stockton as fans prepare for a matchup that will decide the NFC West title.
The 49ers face the Seattle Seahawks in Santa Clara, with a division championship and a chance at home-field advantage throughout the playoffs on the line. For many fans in the Stockton area, that means travel plans, watch parties, and plenty of food.
Guillermo Rodriguez of Stockton said he and his group will be in Santa Clara to watch the 49ers take on the Seahawks.
“I think it’s really important just to have that home-field advantage,” Rodriguez said. “I mean, you think about it, right? You can go to any kitchen and cook. The kitchen might have all the ingredients, but not having everything where it’s supposed to be, it can just delay your game a little bit.”
Because of that, Rodriguez said he won’t be cooking at home.
“We’re going to tailgate, about to get some meat right here,” Rodriguez said while waiting in line at El Ceja’s Meat Market. “We’re going to probably get some rib eyes, probably get some shrimp to make some shrimp shish kabobs.”
Meanwhile, for Israel Sevilla, planning for food won’t be an issue.
“The seats where we have, they have food and everything all included in,” Sevilla said. “We’ll probably be in the middle, at the 50-yard line, and so I’m really excited, going with my son and a friend of mine.”
While some tickets include food, others are still shopping, and El Ceja’s Meat Market said it’s ready for the rush.
“We have our Niner game day special right here,” said Jesse Hernandez of El Ceja’s Meat Market. “This is an amazing special, under $50.”
Hernandez said big sporting events tend to drive business.
“Especially with fight nights, whether it’s UFC, boxing, soccer games, the Super Bowl, stuff like that, we definitely show a big increase in our sales because people are hanging out and getting together,” Hernandez said.
Not everyone is leaving town. Israel Nava said he and his group will be staying home.
“If it’s not with my friend, I’ve got my cousin so it’s usually something small, but we are big fans, lifelong fans,” Nava said. “Usually for game night, it’s pizza because I don’t like to cook a whole lot on game night —and some wings as well.”
Whether plans involve a couch or a tailgate, the anticipation sounds much the same.
“I really hope that we can fire on all cylinders from the beginning,” Nava said. “Just take their hope away from the first quarter.”
The game kicks off at 5 p.m. and will air on ABC10.
Watch more from ABC10: Sacramento 49ers fans get ready for tomorrow’s game