After 2 Years Of Construction, U.S. Bank Stadium Finally Opens
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – The U.S. Bank Stadium officially opened Friday morning.
The new Vikings home is set to host the 2018 Super Bowl, NCAA Final Four in 2019 and concerts.
The grand opening and ribbon cutting was held at 11 a.m. Friday. Guest speakers included Gov. Dayton, top Vikings officials and Mayor Betsy Hodges.
The Eden Prairie marching band kicked off the ceremony as the students marched onto the field.
On Tuesday, the media was invited to tour the stadium.
After two years of construction, the stadium has a $1.1 billion dollar price tag. It's 1.75 million square feet, twice the size of the Metrodome. It has a little over 66,000 seats, but can expand to 70,000.
It features six different club spaces and more than 8,000 club seats. There are also areas available to rent for private events on non-game days.
The stadium is equipped with a LED lighting system; the first of its kind in a NFL stadium and flexible for pre-game and halftime shows.
Something that's also unique, the Vikings are the only NFL team to use displays that are made in the same state. Daktronics out of Redwood Falls manufactured all of the displays.
When it comes to game days, fans have the opportunity to be up close and personal with the players.
That's because there's only a 41-foot distance from front row to turf, making it the most intimate bowl in the NFL.
The ribbon cutting was not be open to the general public. However, if people would like a look there will be an Open House on July 23 and 24. Tickets are free.
The tour includes access the main concourse, Hyundai Club and upper concourse, as well as a peak of the field.
The first event to take place at U.S. Bank Stadium is an international soccer match between Chelsea and AC Milan. The match is set for 8 p.m. on August. 3.