The Philadelphia Eagles have announced that the eighth annual Eagles Autism Challenge presented by Lincoln Financial will take place on Saturday, May 17, 2025 at Lincoln Financial Field. One hundred percent of participant-raised funds from the team's signature cycling and 5K run/walk event will continue to benefit institutions conducting cutting-edge autism research and care.

Participants can now register for the 2025 Eagles Autism Challenge at EaglesAutismChallenge.org.

Led by Eagles Chairman and CEO Jeffrey Lurie, players, coaches, team legends, Eagles fans, and autism supporters, the 2024 Eagles Autism Challenge – held on Saturday, May 18 – raised a record-setting $8.1 million thanks to 5,647 participants and 38,857 donations. Since the first year of the Eagles Autism Challenge in 2018, a total of 159,395 donations have contributed to the more than $30 million raised through the Eagles Autism Foundation.

"Through the stewardship of Jeffrey Lurie, this signature fundraising event benefiting the Eagles autism community has turned into a 365-days-a-year initiative raising millions of dollars for innovative autism research and care programs," said Ryan Hammond, Executive Director, Eagles Autism Foundation. "The transformational impact of the Eagles Autism Challenge would not be possible without the support of dedicated partners like Lincoln Financial, Five Below, Wawa, FreedomPay, and so many others. Along with our partners, we are grateful for our generous donors and passionate participants who come together year after year to prioritize turning autism awareness into action."

The Eagles Autism Challenge is a one-day bike ride and family-friendly 5K run/walk that begins and ends at Lincoln Financial Field. The event features three levels of cycling registration – 30-Mile Wawa Classic, 10-Mile Wawa Shorti, and 10-Mile Youth Wawa Junior (13-18 years old) – that offer participants a chance to navigate through the City of Philadelphia and its suburbs. The FreedomPay 5K Run/Walk has been mapped and certified by US Track & Field and takes participants on a scenic journey around the neighborhood. For families and participants with sensory challenges, the FreedomPay Sensory Walk provides a shorter course around the outside perimeter of Lincoln Financial Field. For those who want to fundraise but are unable to ride, run, or walk on event day, there is a virtual participant option.

"Lincoln Financial has been proud to partner with the Philadelphia Eagles organization to support our community and identify opportunities where Lincoln and our employees can make a positive impact," said John Kennedy, Executive Vice President, Chief Distribution and Brand Officer, Lincoln Financial. "Our longstanding sponsorship of the Eagles Autism Challenge is a clear example of this partnership, with Team Lincoln raising nearly $500,000 in the past seven years as we work together to support innovative research and care programs for the millions impacted by autism worldwide."

All five routes end at Lincoln Financial Field where participants are welcomed back to an on-field celebration, family-friendly field activities, and an awards ceremony featuring Eagles players and special guests. Participants are also invited to attend the Friday Night Kickoff Party at Lincoln Financial Field on May 16 to commence the celebratory weekend. Additionally, participants will receive a cycling jersey or 5K t-shirt, finish line medal, and a complimentary gift bag. Exclusive experience prizes and autographed memorabilia will be offered to participants who reach specific fundraising milestones during the year.

"Five Below is thrilled to support the Eagles Autism Foundation," said Ron Masciantonio, President of the Five Below Foundation and Executive Vice President at Five Below. "The incredible work the Eagles do to raise support and awareness for the autism community truly inspires us. We're so proud to be part of this mission and excited to keep making a difference in our community. This year, through the Five Below Foundation, we're donating $75,000 and we invite everyone to come together with us to make a lasting impact for those in the autism community."

To help participants meet and exceed their fundraising goals, the Five Below Foundation will match the first $75,000 in online donations, dollar for dollar, as part of the season's first matching gift drive. The matching gift will apply to all online donations beginning Thursday, September 19 at 9 AM and will match each donation up to $1,000.

All participants who sign up by Thursday, October 31, 2024 will have 50% of their registration fee waived as part of the special "Early Bird" promotion. Registrants can use the promo code "earlybird25" when signing up.

Through fundraising efforts associated with the Eagles Autism Foundation, 125 research projects and community grants have been funded for exploratory work in the field of autism since 2018. The funding process for the $8.1 million raised in 2024 is currently underway and will award grants to approved institutions in the coming months.

Through the work of the Eagles Autism Foundation, Lincoln Financial Field continues to expand and meet the needs of the autism community. In addition to the state-of-the-art sensory room, the Eagles, in partnership with Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, have opened a mobile sensory-friendly vehicle located on Pepsi Plaza. This commitment, in collaboration with Kulture City, will be included in Lincoln Financial Field's Sensory Friendly certification. This resource will be used in the community at Eagles Autism and partner events.

"The Eagles and the Eagles Autism Foundation are proud to add this additional resource for all fans with sensory differences. The Sensory Activation Vehicle in partnership with Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, and with help from our friends at KultureCity will create additional opportunities at Lincoln Financial Field for fans to take a break when needed," Hammond said. "We are grateful for CHOP's continued support of creating a more inclusive environment for individuals of all abilities and meeting the needs of our fans."

Other growing areas of our inclusion initiatives include EAF's efforts tackling one of the autism community's biggest challenges – employment – by creating job opportunities at Lincoln Financial Field through their partnership with Popcorn for the People and the neurodiverse Gameday Staff Program. Since the inception of the Eagles Autism Foundation Gameday Staff Program, the foundation has provided resources for over 30 neurodiverse gameday staff members, which includes visual schedules, check-ins, and other accommodations.