150K Vikings Fans Tour U.S. Bank Stadium
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- More than 150,000 people have tickets to see inside U.S. Bank Stadium this weekend.
After years of debate and construction surrounding the $1 billion stadium, many Minnesotans were curious to get a first-hand look at the state-of-the-art building.
The open house continues Sunday with some tickets available at the gate.
Outdoor activities in the plaza outside the stadium are meant for the whole family and will not require a ticket, according to stadium officials.
While games and concerts do not kick off until late August, Vikings fans like T.J. Day had rave reviews from simply walking through the concourses and seats of the stadium.
"It is beautiful," Day said. "I'm just happy the Vikings have their home again."
The stadium seats some 64,000 people. State money funded nearly half the stadium.
Mike Treppa of Blaine says he wanted to see what his tax dollars helped pay for.
"The building is architecturally beautiful and impressive," Treppa said. "I don't agree with spending that kind of money for private industry when the NFL spends billions per year."
Day says he thinks it is worth it.
"This place is huge. I heard you can fit two Metrodomes in here," Day said.
Organizers for the stadium say Minnesotans will get back more than they put in for the state's economy in the long run through development around the stadium and major scores, like the 2018 Super Bowl.