Metropolitan Stadium

Lore & Background

The stadium was built on a plot of farmland in Bloomington, inspired by the Boston Braves' move to Milwaukee. Construction began in 1955 after a dispute with property owners was settled. The stadium opened on April 24, 1956, with a minor league game between the Minneapolis Millers and the Wichita Braves. It was not officially named "Metropolitan Stadium" until July of that year. The Minnesota Vikings played their first home game at the Met in 1961, a 37-13 victory over the Chicago Bears, sparked by rookie quarterback Fran Tarkenton's four touchdown passes off the bench.

In Their Own Story

The wind howled across the empty bleachers before kickoff, carrying flakes of snow that stung exposed skin. A fan pulled their scarf tighter, breath visible in the frigid air as they walked past the turnstiles. Inside, the grass was a patchwork of green and white under the floodlights. On the sideline, players in purple helmets huddled, steam rising from their shoulders pads. The roar of the crowd cut through the cold, a testament to loyalty that no weather could extinguish.

Reader's Guide

The Met was known as a hitter's park with short foul lines. For football, the gridiron ran from around third base to right field, with wooden bleachers brought onto the field during football season. In 1965, a large double-decked grandstand was installed in left field, paid for by the Vikings in return for reduced rent. The stadium had a disjointed feel, with no concourse connecting the bleachers to the grandstand, so fans in the bleachers had to leave the stadium to reach the grandstand.

Did You Know?

• The stadium hosted the Minnesota Kicks of the North American Soccer League from 1976 to 1981.
• The Chicago Cardinals moved two of their 1959 regular season home games to Metropolitan Stadium.
• The stadium's diamond was aligned southeast, though the recommended alignment is east-northeast.