U.S. Bank Stadium Sold Out For European Soccer Match
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- The countdown is on as the new home for the Minnesota Vikings prepares to host its first significant sporting event that's not an NFL game.
Two of the top soccer teams in the world will square off Wednesday night at U.S. Bank Stadium. Chelsea faces AC Milan as part of the International Champions Cup. It's a preseason tour for elite international teams. The two championship teams haven't played against one another since 1999.
Fans started showing up in downtown Minneapolis early Wednesday morning. The party started early on the plaza outside U.S. Bank Stadium with cheerleaders, plenty of smiles and free breakfast sandwiches.
"It's been over four years. To see it all now, the dream of what started here built coming to fruition, very exciting," Michelle Kelm-Helgen with the Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority said.
The curiosity factor will be off the charts for many of the close to 63,000 expected to be in attendance at U.S. Bank Stadium. Walking into U.S. Bank Stadium will be like driving around with that new car smell -- yes, the soccer match is the show, but so will the $1 billion facility. The concourses are sure to be filled with fans walking around all night long. The game will likely make history as the largest soccer match ever held in Minnesota.
On Tuesday, both teams got their chance to practice on the turf.
"The stadium is fantastic. It's wonderful," Chelsea player Antonio Conte said.
"He says this is great joy. He is excited they get to play with a wonderful team and he's excited," AC Milan manager Vicenzo Montello said through a translator.
The International Champions Cup game between the two squads is Wednesday night's headliner.
"Showing we can host international soccer reminds people this is a stadium for many different purposes," Kelm-Helgen said.
This would be the equivalent of a pre-season NFL game. The effort will be there, but so will the many substitutions as coaches want to take a look at players trying to make their rosters as much as Mike Zimmer is looking at his players trying to make his team.
As much as the game itself, it is going to be a good dress rehearsal for everything and everyone connected with U.S. Bank Stadium. From security and getting in the building, the concessions stands, restrooms and WiFi.
But the show continues later in August with concerts, and the Vikings will be welcoming fans to their new home with two NFL preseason games.
If you don't already have a ticket, you're out of luck. U.S. Bank Stadium officials said as of about 4 p.m., the game is a sellout.
The game starts around 8:30 p.m. Wednesday and is being shown on ESPN2.
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