*Eden Prairie, MN (September 9, 2014) –* The University of Minnesota and the Minnesota Vikings have added the Minnesota State Fairgrounds (Lot 108 – 1440 Randall Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55108) as a parking/tailgating option for Vikings fans during the 2014 season.
Previously unavailable due to the 2014 Minnesota State Fair, approximately 1,500 tailgating spaces will be available throughout the regular season, beginning with Sunday's Vikings-Patriots game. A convenient option to avoid game day traffic issues, fans can purchase season-long passes ($160) or single-game passes ($20) for the lot adjacent to the University's St. Paul campus. Beginning three hours prior to kickoff, free University shuttles will run every 15 minutes (increasing to 5-10 minutes, as needed), transporting fans down the University's Transitway before dropping them off directly in front of TCF Bank Stadium. Total travel time is less than 10 minutes.
Tailgating on all approved University lots can begin six hours prior to kickoff but no earlier than 7:00 a.m. and must conclude four hours after the game and no later than midnight.Fans are reminded that glass bottles and open fires fueled by charcoal or wood are not allowed in University tailgating lots.
For a complete list of tailgating options surrounding TCF Bank Stadium, click here.
MASS TRANSIT OPTIONS AVAILABLE
The State Fairgrounds parking/shuttle system is only one game day transportation option for Vikings fans. The Metro Green Line, which opened in June and was heavily utilized during the preseason, connects Minneapolis and St. Paul through the heart of the University of Minnesota and includes a stop at the Stadium Village Station directly south of TCF Bank Stadium on 23rd Avenue SE. Fans can park in their typical Minneapolis downtown locations and board the Green Line from the Downtown East Station. Travel time between downtown Minneapolis and Stadium Village Station is approximately 10 minutes.
Fans who take the Metro Blue Line can park for free at Park & Rides at Fort Snelling and 28th Avenue stations and ride the train to downtown Minneapolis. To reach TCF Bank Stadium, Blue Line passengers can transfer to a Green Line train at the Downtown East Station.
Fans taking a Metro Transit bus or train to the game should purchase either a Day Pass or Event 6-Hour Pass, which eliminate the need to make multiple fare purchases. Passes can be purchased online or from ticket-vending machines at any rail platform.
PLAN AHEAD/ARRIVE EARLY
Regardless of the mode of transportation, fans are encouraged to plan their route in advance and arrive early. Both the Vikings Fun Zone and the Miller Lite Vikings Pregame Party open three hours prior to kickoff and offer a variety of entertainment options for fans.
