U.S. Bank Stadium Grand Opening

(Minneapolis, MN) July 22, 2016 - After 30 months of construction, the Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority (MSFA), Minnesota Vikings, state and local leaders celebrated the opening of the $1.1 billion, 1.75 million square foot U.S. Bank Stadium today with the official ribbon cutting event.

Paul Allen, the Voice of the Vikings, kicked off the program, and Coach Zimmer and Bud Grant sounded the Gjallarhorn from its permanent platform on the west side of the stadium. Speakers focused on the successful public/private partnership that spurred economic development around the stadium, details of the design and construction, and the successful equity program.

"This amazing project could not have happened without the full support of all of the partners on this project," said Michele Kelm-Helgen, chair of the MSFA. "From the legislators who helped pass the stadium bill, to the Governor who signed it into law, to the Wilf family and the Vikings organization, to the MSFA board - all of these partners helped us get here today."

U.S. Bank Stadium will host the X Games in 2017 & 2018, Super Bowl 52 in 2018 and the NCAA Men's Final Four in 2019. U.S. Bank Stadium is one of the most versatile stadiums in the world. It can host baseball, basketball, football, international and U.S. soccer matches, concerts, private and corporate events.

"U.S. Bank Stadium will provide tremendous benefits to our state. It will be a place for Minnesotans to gather for professional and amateur sporting events, concerts, and conventions," said Governor Mark Dayton. "I thank the thousands of Minnesota construction workers, contractors, manufacturers, and engineers, who delivered this project on time and on budget. This stadium will truly be Minnesota's town square for generations."

The stadium features the closest seats and suites to the field in the NFL, more than 2,000 televisions, a team store, and a museum quality, Minnesota-made art collection made up of more than 600 pieces of art and photography.

"This has been a true team effort by state and local leaders, stadium partners and the broader community," said Vikings Owner/President Mark Wilf. "U.S. Bank Stadium has helped reshape the East Town neighborhood and has already secured major events that will bring national and international attention to Minnesota. We appreciate the loyal Vikings fans for their unending support throughout this process and cannot wait to provide them with the best fan experience in the NFL and an electric game day atmosphere."

U.S. Bank Stadium has the largest operable doors in the world. Five doors span in height from 95 feet tall and 55 feet wide to 75 feet tall and 55 feet wide. The stadium also has the largest installation of ETFE, a translucent polymer in North America. The ETFE make us 60% of the roof, at 240,000 square feet, enabled the architects to use less steel in the roof structure.

"The design reflects the true story of the Minnesota community with its international style driven by climatic response and energy conservation," said Bryan Trubey, executive vice president/director of HKS Sports & Entertainment Group. "The interior volume makes it the most versatile, multi-use building in the country with the most advanced digital age technology."

About U.S. Bank Stadium

U.S. Bank Stadium, owned and operated by the Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority, is a multi-purpose stadium and home to the Minnesota Vikings. The 66,400 seat stadium is located in the heart of Minneapolis, Minnesota. With 137,000 square feet on the stadium floor and six club spaces throughout the building, this state-of-the-art facility will host prominent national and international programming including the Minnesota Vikings, concerts, family shows, sporting events, conventions, trade/consumer shows, and corporate or private meetings and events. U.S. Bank Stadium opened in July 22, 2016 and has been chosen as the site of the X Games in 2017 & 2018, the Super Bowl LII in 2018 and the NCAA Men's Final Four in 2019.