Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome
The Minnesota Vikings have called the Mall of America Field at the Metrodome their home turf since it opened in 1982. With room for more than 64,000 fans, the Dome has been known to generate some of the loudest crowd noise in the NFL.
Before you visit the Metrodome, take a peek at our guide below to make sure you get the best Dome experience possible.
Coming and Going
You have tons of options for getting to the Metrodome. The Dome's central location in the heart of Downtown Minneapolis makes it easy.
Driving
North of Minneapolis (Duluth): Take Interstate 35W towards the dome. Use the Washington Ave. exit into downtown Minneapolis. Turn right on Washington and drive a half mile. Parking is available along Washington between 3rd and 10th Ave.
East of Minneapolis (St. Paul, Eau Claire): Travel west on Interstate 94, use the 5th St. exit towards downtown Minneapolis. Continue down 5th St. Parking will be available at multiple locations.
South of Minneapolis (Austin, Mason City): Take North I-35W and exit at 5th Ave. Go down 5th Ave to 6th St. Parking ramps are located on 6th St., 5th and Park Avenues.
West of Minneapolis (Wayzata, Willmar): Take Highway 12 until it becomes Interstate 394. Exit at 6th St. into downtown, Go down 6th St. through downtown. There are ramps on 6th St., 5th and Park Avenues.
Northwest of Minneapolis (St. Cloud, Fargo): Travel Easton I-94 and exit on 4th St. into downtown. Proceed down 4th St. to 5th Ave. Parking is available at 5th Ave, 3rd, 4th, and 5th Streets.
Southeast of Minneapolis (Rochester): Head north on Highway 52/highway 55, take Interstate 494 west towards I-35W and then exit on 5th Ave. Go down 5th Ave to 6th St. Parking ramps are located on 6th St., 5th and Park Avenues.
*Reminder:Tailgating is only allowed at specific lots. Click here for information.
Light Rail
Take the Hiawatha light rail line and get dropped off right outside the Dome! Six-hour event passes are available for $3.50. Trains leave various Metro Transit locations every 10-15 minutes. To get to the game, take the train and get off at the Downtown East/Metrodome Station.
If you are coming from the Big Lake are you can also take the Northstar Line to connect you to the Hiawatha Line. Click here to see the Vikings game day schedule.
Bus
Various Metro Transit bus route drop off near the stadium. If you are coming from the north or south take routes 5, 7, 14, 19, 22. Take routes 3, 16, 94 if traveling from east and routes 7, 9 if coming from the west.
Traffic Restrictions
Various roads may be closed on game day. Click here for traffic restrictions.
Tickets
Sold out. That's usually what we hear for every Vikings game. Single game tickets go on sale more than a month before the season. And some people camp out to get tickets to their favorite match-ups. If you're looking to get tickets for a popular game, get ready to buy for more than one game. This season the team sold two-game packages -- Dallas and Detroit or Green Bay and Denver. When you're looking for tickets, the team suggests searching for odd numbers as opposed to twos or fours.
If you didn't plan ahead to get tickets, and don't mind paying an arm-and-a-leg or giving up your first born, you can check out StubHub or other ticket brokers, and if you're lucky you could find a deal on Craigslist.
You could always try your hand, or dialing finger, at winning some tickets from a number of local radio stations. Or head down to the stadium before the game to see if you could score a deal on tickets -- you could even wait until after kick-off when sellers will want to unload their seats for any price.
Seating
If you've got the dough and want to avoid the uncomfortable rows of bright blue seats, there are several ways to check out a Vikings game in style. Membership in the Touchdown Club not only gives you great access on game days in an upscale and comfortable atmosphere but you'll also get perks all year-long. In the Touchdown Club enjoy eider, more comfortable stadium seats or special "Terrace Table" bar-style seating, complimentary food buffet and beverages and flat screen TVs to catch the awesome replays.
New this year, for the Vikings 50th season, is the exclusive the Gridiron Club. Overlooking the plaza at Mall of America Field is this all-inclusive club with a wide variety of food options that goes way-beyond any concession choices. Being a part of the club, you'll also have access to private restrooms, a game day gift and being able to watch all the other NFL games on HD TVs. How exclusive is this club? Only 150 memberships are available.
Another unique Vikings experience is at the Miller Lite End Zone Party Deck where you'll get a panoramic view of game from a sports bar-style venue.
Want a suite experience but need to save a few bucks? Check out the Minnesota Vikings Share-A-Suite program where you can you split the season and the investment with another group, while still getting access to a private suite for five home games, including one of the season's two premier games.
As for the rest of the Metrodome, each lower level section has about 36 rows in the lower level and each upper level section has about 31 rows -- each row has about 35 seats, but varies throughout the stadium. A key to finding your seats -- when you're facing the field, know that the lower numbered seats will start on the right side of the section.
Be careful when you purchase tickets and be sure you know whether or not you have "limited view" tickets in your hands. There are several concrete pillars circling the stadium in the upper level, so you could get stuck behind them. All obstructed view Vikings tickets are stamped "limited view" and have a cheaper face value than their non-obstructed view seats.
At The Stadium
Miller Lite Party On The Plaza
Get your pregame party on outside on the northwest side of Mall of America field with the Party on the Plaza. You'll find interactive games, Vikings alumni autographs, live bands, Vikings cheerleaders and live pregame covering from KFAN. The best part -- it's all free. Plus, it is the only spot outside the stadium where fans can buy food and drinks before the game. It all starts 2 1/2 hours before kick-off.
Tailgating
Join fellow Vikings fans at official Vikings tailgate lots located around the Dome. The official Vikings tailgate lots provide die-hard fans with the tailgating experience that's closest to Mall of America Field. Season passes are available for three Vikings tailgate lots, just click here for more information.
Miller Lite Party Deck
If you're a lucky winner and a big Vikings fan, you could enjoy a game at the Miller Lite End Zone Party Deck -- four suites in Section 103 that were combined to create a unique and festive atmosphere. Tickets are given away by the Vikings Street Team throughout the season. Check out vikings.com/endzone for more information and to find out when and where the Street Team will be appearing.
Food and Drink
Hand-Carved Sandwich Platters -- Turkey or Beef
Get away from the typical hot dog or hamburger at the Minnesota Carving Board, where the freshest hand-sliced meats are piled high on a nice, egg bun. The carved turkey is a fan favorite, served in such a juicy and succulent manner that condiments are actually frowned upon. A nice, crisp Caesar salad is served on the side to complete the meal.
$7.95 for the combo -- Sections 131, 21
Famous Dave's Beef and Pork Platters
Enjoy the slow-roasted pork that Famous Dave's is, well, famous for even at the Metrodome. With your choice of beef or pork -- or a chicken club wrap for the healthy eaters --Famous Dave's offers stadium-goers that tasty barbecue at the convenience of an indoor snack shack.
Sections 103, 115, 135, 228
Brats and Brew
Those looking to upgrade their typical hot dog can do so at Brats and Brews, where jumbo Chicago Dogs and Cheddarbest Bratwursts are offered piping hot.
Sections103, 115, 135, 228
Ice Cream Galore
Whether it's a typical cup of your favorite soft serve or your very own mini pint from Kemps, the Metrodome has plenty of options when it comes to that creamy treat. Kemps Kabin offers a variety of its flavors in pints, novelties and sports bars. At North Shore Freeze, root beer floats and walkaway sundaes are sure to hit your sweet spot. Or if a fresh fruit smoothie is more your thing, Maui Wowi offers 14 oz or 20 oz treats in different fruity combos.
Kemps Kabin -- Sections 123, 138, 212
North Shore Freeze -- Sections 121, 130, 203, 221
Maui Wowi -- Section 116
Beer
The Metrodome offers Budweiser, Bud Light, MGD, Miller Lite, Summit, Finnegans Irish Amber, Michelob Golden Draft Light, Mike's Hard Lemonade and a selection of wine throughout the stadium. Check out Beers and Wines of the World in Section 140 to choose from a wide selection of beers and wines from around the globe. Or head to Leinie Lodge, in Section 135, for your favorite Leinenkugel creation. If you're looking for a tropical getaway, head to the Corona Cabana for some fun in the sun and an ice cold Corona. Corona Cabana is located in Section 128.
Surprises
The Metrodome has been standing for almost three decades but there are still some unique surprises you might not know about the Vikings home field. Here are some things you might need to know or just want to know:
• The Dome of the Metrodome is 10 acres of Teflon-coated fiberglass and it's held up by 20 electric fans -- that's why you get "pushed" out of it when you leave.
• Viktor the Viking has been the team's mascot since 2007 when, according to legend, he thawed on the shores of Lake Superior after being frozen in ice, waiting to fulfill his destiny.
• The Dome has deflated once. Forty-eight days after an elaborate ceremony marking the inflation of the Metrodome, 10.2 inches of heavy snow of arrived, completely collapsing the roof.
• The Metrodome is the only stadium in the world to have hosted all of the following: the NFL Super Bowl (1992), MLB's All-Star Game (1985), two World Series (1987 and 1991), and the Final Four of the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championship (1992 and 2001).
• There's a list of items you can't bring to the Dome. Some of the more "interesting" ones include: laser pointers, noise makers, whistles, air and bull horns (of course, bring your Vikings' horns) and any clothing containing inappropriate language.
• If you go to any game, you might want to know the lyrics to the Vikings fight song, "Skol Vikings":
Skol Vikings, let's win this game,
Skol Vikings, honor your name,
Go get that first down,
Then get a touchdown.
Rock 'em . . . Sock 'em
Fight! Fight! Fight! Fight!
Go Vikings, run up the score,
You'll hear us yell for more. . .
V-I-K-I-N-G-S
Skol, Vikings, let's go!
