EAGAN, Minn. — The Vikings-Saints rivalry has been going strong for a decade-plus.
Now, it's going global.
The NFL announced Wednesday morning on NFL Network's Good Morning Football that the Vikings will play against the Saints at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in Week 4 as part of the 2022 International Series.
"We are thrilled to once again represent the NFL on a global level and to have an opportunity to play in front of our international fans," said Vikings Owner/President Mark Wilf. "With our previous London games in 2013 and 2017 and our successful 2021 bid to land the United Kingdom as an international home marketing area, we have seen tremendous international support. This is another chance to directly engage with Vikings fans across the world and bring exposure to Minnesota's impressive business community and tourism industry."
Visit vikings.com/london for more details.
"We need all of our fan base supporting us, obviously from here, but I'd love to see a lot of you guys in the stands, supporting us in London," Vikings Head Coach Kevin O'Connell said in a message to fans.
The 2022 International Series includes the following five regular-season games:
Vikings vs. Saints, Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, England, United Kingdom | Week 4
When: 8:30 a.m. (CT) on Oct. 2
How to watch: NFL Network
Giants vs. Packers, Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, England, United Kingdom | Week 5
When: 8:30 a.m. (CT) on Oct. 9
How to watch: NFL Network
Broncos vs. Jaguars, Wembley Stadium, London, England, United Kingdom | Week 8
When: 8:30 a.m. (CT) on Oct. 30
How to watch: ESPN+
Seahawks vs. Buccaneers, FC Bayern Munich Stadium, Munich, Germany| Week 10
When: 8:30 a.m. (CT) on Nov. 13
How to watch: NFL Network
49ers vs. Cardinals, Estadio Azteca, Mexico City, Mexico | Week 11
When: 8:15 p.m. (CT) on Nov. 21
How to watch: Monday Night Football
New Orleans, Green Bay, Jacksonville, Arizona and Tampa Bay would be the hosts for these contests if played in the United States, but the NFL has emphasized it views International Series locations as neutral sites.
Minnesota was due to visit New Orleans in 2022 based on the NFL's scheduling formula for a matchup determined by where the Vikings and Saints finished in their divisions last season (second in the NFC North and NFC South).
Vikings teammates Harrison Phillips and Eric Kendricks recently joined Saints linebacker Demario Davis in giving back to the Minneapolis community. They were already anticipating the matchup between the teams before finding out the locale.
"When it's game time, we're gonna talk," Davis told Vikings.com. "Ain't no friends on the field. But after it's over? It's all family."
This will be the third time the Vikings have played an International Series game in London and third different venue. Minnesota defeated Pittsburgh 34-27 at Wembley Stadium in Week 4 of the 2013 season and topped Cleveland 33-16 at Twickenham Stadium in Week 8 of the 2017 season.
Greg Jennings caught touchdowns of 70 and 16 yards, and Adrian Peterson rushed for touchdowns of 60 and 7 yards to help the Vikings top the Steelers.
Adam Thielen caught five passes for 98 yards, including an 18-yard touchdown from Case Keenum, to earn "Man of the Match" honors against the Browns. Thielen unleashed a soccer-style celly after the score:
The Saints are playing in the London Games for the third time, as well. New Orleans topped the San Diego Chargers 37-32 in Week 8 of the 2008 season and defeated the Miami Dolphins 20-0 in Week 4 of 2017.
Green Bay will become the 32nd team to play in London since the series began in 2007.
Jacksonville played a regular-season game at Wembley Stadium every year from 2013-19. The 2020 London Games were canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Jaguars played at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in 2021 and defeated the Dolphins.
This year will mark the first regular-season game in Germany. Munich and Frankfurt have been selected host cities for games there in coming years.
Arizona played in the first regular-season game outside of the United States in 2005 when 103,467 fans filled Estadio Azteca for a 31-14 win under former Vikings Head Coach Dennis Green over the San Francisco 49ers.
The Cardinals franchise (based in St. Louis from 1960-87) also participated against the Vikings in the NFL's first international exhibition game, a 28-10 loss to Minnesota at Wembley Stadium on Aug. 6, 1983. The attendance for that game was listed at 32,847.
Thirty years later, 83,518 were on hand to see the Vikings-Steelers game.
Pro Football Hall of Fame defensive tackle and Vikings Ring of Honor member John Randle has traveled to the United Kingdom multiple times as an ambassador.
He was part of Vikings teams that played exhibitions in Berlin, Germany (1993) and Tokyo, Japan (1994).
"Playing in London would have been nice," Randle said. "I've been over there with the NFL when the Vikings played and always have a good time over there."
View some of the best images from the Vikings' trip to London, from both on and off the field.
Previous International Appearances by Vikings
The Vikings have also played four international exhibition games (three in Europe, one in Asia):
Aug. 6, 1983: Vikings 28, St. Louis Cardinals 10 in London, England
Aug. 14, 1988: Vikings 28, Bears 21 in Goteburg, Sweden
Aug. 7, 1993: Vikings 20, Bills 6 in Berlin, Germany
Aug. 7, 1994: Vikings 17, Chiefs 9 in Tokyo, Japan
The Vikings have played two international regular-season games:
Sept. 29, 2013: Vikings 34, Steelers 27 in London, England
Oct. 29, 2017: Vikings 33, Browns 16 in London, England
