SAN DIEGO – “You’re sitting in 
Rachael Riley’s face brightened.
“I don’t know all of the players, but I do know who Philip Rivers is and I was excited,” the young fan said with a giggle.
Two rows behind her, a middle-aged man asked Pagano how the team planned to get more pressure on opposing quarterbacks next season.
The close interaction was part of an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of the team’s practice facility offered to season ticket holders.
The exclusive group of less than two dozen explored the weight room and locker room where their favorite players spend hours of time during the season, learning tidbits about the team’s history along the way.
“I believe they care about us as season ticket holders,” said Bryan Riley, taking the tour with his daughter Rachael. “They want to obviously retain us, but this is a great opportunity to see some things that I’ve never been a part of. It connects you with the team in a way that you haven’t been connected before.”
In an effort to show gratitude to the team’s loyal supporters, the organization has expanded benefits with a Renewal Sweepstakes for season ticket holders.
A week after NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell spoke of the ongoing challenge of keeping the in-stadium experience competitive, San Diego revealed in more detail its benefits package for 2012 season ticket holders, designed to offer the most value ever in franchise history.
Earlier this offseason, the Chargers announced ticket prices will remain unchanged, marking an unprecedented fifth consecutive season with the same prices.
Fans that renew season ticket accounts by the first renewal deadline will receive a special Chargers mini helmet and automatically be entered into the sweepstakes as part of the team’s aggressive sales effort.
Prizes include trips for two to Super Bowl XLVII in New Orleans or Chargers regular-season road games in Pittsburgh, New Orleans and New York (see below).
The team also has introduced a new payment option featuring five installments to allow for greater financial flexibility.
Season ticket holders have access to exclusive, interactive and live conference calls with Chargers players, coaches and front office personnel throughout the season. Some previous guests include Chargers President Dean Spanos, General Manager A.J. Smith and quarterback Philip Rivers.
Other benefits include an exclusive invitation to a 2012 training camp practice as well as the opportunity to visit Chargers Park or Qualcomm Stadium for a behind-the-scenes tour.
San Diego has not raised prices since after the 2007 season and last year lowered the price of 6,500 season tickets by nearly 15 percent.
San Diego’s 2012 regular-season home schedule includes 2011 playoff participants Denver, Baltimore, Cincinnati and Atlanta as well as Kansas City, Oakland, Tennessee and Carolina.
San Diego’s ticket prices remain on par with the NFL average. General season tickets range from $48 to $90 and offer a savings of $60 to $140 compared to the cost of purchasing the same seats on a single-game basis.
Sweepstakes Prizes
(1) Grand Prize – Trip for two to Super Bowl XLVII in New Orleans, which includes round-trip commercial air transportation, hotel accommodations for up to four nights and two tickets to the game.
(1) Trip for two to the Chargers’ regular-season road game in New York, which includes round-trip commercial air transportation, hotel accommodations for two nights and two tickets to the game.
(1) Trip for two to the Chargers’ regular-season road game in New Orleans, which includes round-trip commercial air transportation, hotel accommodations for two nights and two tickets to the game.
(1) Trip for two to the Chargers’ regular-season road game in Pittsburgh, which includes round-trip commercial air transportation, hotel accommodations for two nights and two tickets to the game.
(10) Four-packs of luxury suite tickets to a designated Chargers home game.
(10) Four-packs of pregame field visits to a designated Chargers home game.
(20) Seasonal parking passes for all regular-season home games.
(20) Two-pack invite to watch practice “Inside the Ropes” at training camp.
(8) Two VIP passes to the Chargers’ pre-game tailgate event, the Bud Light Power Party, at the 2012 Chargers home opener
(5) Dinner for two with Coach Norv Turner at Donovan’s Steak and Chop House.
(10) Autographed panel footballs with signatures from 2011 Chargers players.
(2) $500 gift cards for the Chargers Team Store at Qualcomm Stadium.
(3) Autographed jerseys – player to be determined.
(3) Autographed helmets – player to be determined.
(5) Autographed footballs – player to be determined.
SATURDAY SHOW PACKED: Several headliners will appear on an hour-long Chargers Post-Season Special produced by KFMB-TV, Channel 8 in San Diego and set to air 4 p.m. Saturday.
The show includes exclusive interviews with Chargers President Dean Spanos, Head Coach Norv Turner, quarterback Philip Rivers, linebacker
