U.S. Bank Stadium

Lore & Background

While the Vikings' owners wanted an outdoor stadium, state and local governments would only fund an indoor stadium capable of hosting major events like the Super Bowl and Final Four. A retractable roof was considered but deemed too expensive to operate in a Minnesota winter. Architectural firm HKS designed a skylit roof made of ETFE and glazed entrances with giant pivoting doors to maximize natural light. The roof is 60% ETFE, the largest in North America, supplied and installed by Vector Foiltec. Its slanted design, inspired by Nordic vernacular architecture, allows snow to accumulate in accessible areas and drain via a heated gutter to the Mississippi River. The glass operable wall panels provide views of downtown Minneapolis and allow some outdoor elements while protecting from snow, rain, and cold. Conservation groups requested bird-safe glass, but designers used highly reflective glass for aesthetic reasons, leading to bird deaths double that of any other Minneapolis building. A bird fatality study financed by the Vikings and the Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority was completed in 2019, recommending treating the glass to decrease reflectivity and turning off lights during high migration. The synthetic turf field received a B grade in the NFL Players Association's 2026 report cards, the highest among artificial turf surfaces in the league and higher than seven natural grass stadiums.

In Their Own Story

The air inside U.S. Bank Stadium hums with anticipation as the sun filters through the translucent ETFE panels, casting a golden glow on the vibrant purple turf. Thousands of fans clad in purple and gold chant in unison, their voices echoing off the sleek steel beams that cradle the arena. As the Vikings take the field, the contrast between the crisp winter chill outside and the electric warmth within creates a palpable energy, a testament to the enduring spirit of Minnesota football.

Reader's Guide

The usual seating capacity is 66,860, expandable to 73,000. The Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority (MSFA) owns and operates the stadium. Established in 2012 by the Minnesota Legislature, the MSFA succeeded the Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission (MSFC), which oversaw the Metrodome. Three of its five members are appointed by the Governor of Minnesota, the remaining two by the mayor of Minneapolis. The Vikings' lease with the MSFC (signed August 1979) kept them in the Metrodome until 2011; it was considered one of the least lucrative NFL leases. The commission waived the team's nearly $4 million rent for several years before demolition. The Vikings paid 9.5% of ticket sales to the commission, which controlled advertising, parking revenue, and kept roughly 35% of concessions sold during Vikings games. The team was 30th out of 32 NFL teams in local revenues in 2005. A joint Vikings/University of Minnesota stadium plan failed in 2002 due to design and budget issues; the university opened TCF Bank Stadium in 2009.

Did You Know?

• U.S. Bank Stadium's roof is made of 60% ETFE, a fluorine-based clear plastic, and is the largest such roof in North America.
• The stadium's reflective glass has caused bird deaths double that of any other building in Minneapolis, due to its location along the Mississippi Flyway.
• The synthetic turf field received a B grade in the NFL Players Association's 2026 report cards, the highest among artificial turf surfaces in the league.
• The stadium hosted Super Bowl LII, the ESPN X Games, and the 2019 NCAA Final Four.