Guide to Game Day: Vikings to Host Seahawks & Free Concert for Home Opener

Sep 24, 2021 at 08:30 AM

Craig Peters

Senior Editor

The Vikings are returning — and so are fans — to regular-season action at U.S. Bank Stadium this Sunday.

Minnesota (0-2) will host Seattle (1-1) at 3:25 p.m. (CT) Sunday. The latest home opener for Minnesota since Sept. 27, 2009, it will also mark the first regular-season game in front of fans in more than 630 days and Seattle's first in U.S. Bank Stadium.

The fun will begin several hours before kickoff with a Kickoff Rally Presented by Miller Lite that will include a free concert headlined by Dustin Lynch.

How to connect with the game

On the airwaves

FOX (KMSP FOX 9 in the Twin Cities) will broadcast the game to a wide swath that reaches from Central Wisconsin to the Pacific Ocean. KFAN (100.3-FM), KTLK 1130-AM and the five-state Vikings Radio Network will broadcast the game. A national radio broadcast also is available on ESPN Radio.

Click here for all of the ways to watch/listen/stream the game.

Minnesota Vikings mobile app

Keep the Vikings nearby wherever you go with the Minnesota Vikings mobile app. A source for news and exclusive features, the app also will stream video broadcasts of games for people in the market/broadcast area of each game.

The Minnesota Vikings mobile app is available for iPhone and Android.

Verizon 5G Multi-View

New at U.S. Bank Stadium for 2021, Verizon 5G Multi-View features up to seven live camera angles through the Minnesota Vikings app, giving fans multiple looks at plays to enhance their game-day experience. Verizon 5G Multi-View is available only on IOS 5G-capable devices at select stadiums.

Live Chat

Vikings.com Team Reporter Eric Smith will host a live chat from U.S. Bank Stadium beginning at 1:30 p.m. (CT). Join the conversation with Staff Writer/Assistant Editor Lindsey Young and Senior Editor Craig Peters before the game and stay connected with in-game updates.

Vikings Playbook (digital version)

The return of fans means the return to U.S. Bank Stadium by the Vikings Playbook. A digital version is available for all at vikingsplaybook.com and in the mobile app.

Adam Thielen is featured on this week's cover. You can view web version of the story here or within the book at the above link.

NFL Game Pass

Can't catch this one live or in-person? NFL Game Pass has you covered. Beyond live streaming for subscribers, it features full-length and condensed games on-demand and other NFL programming and features.

Start your free trial of NFL Game Pass.

Logistics

Getting to U.S. Bank Stadium

Vikings.com/stadium includes information regarding health and safety protocols, parking, tailgating, rideshare and public transit options. It also includes an A to Z guide, maps, and information about the NFL's bag policy and the fan code of conduct.

Skyway Access

The extended skyway route (map below) and hours will once again be in place in 2021. A route will be open from noon to 9:30 p.m.

Traffic/Construction

Due to construction at the intersection of 11th Avenue S and Washington Avenue S, fans will not be allowed to travel south on 11th Avenue S from Washington Avenue and must use detour routes.

Health & Safety Protocols

Cashless Experience

For safety and efficiency purposes, cash payments are no longer accepted inside U.S. Bank Stadium. Fans must bring credit and debit cards or use contactless options like Apple Pay for all purchases.

Enhanced Cleaning

U.S. Bank Stadium offers a clean and safe environment for guests through the virus-fighting protection of a bi-polar ionization system installed in every air handling unit in the venue. Additionally, the Vikings partnered with Ecolab to implement the Ecolab Science Certified TM program at U.S. Bank Stadium, which earned the Science Certified seal through an audit process.

Face Coverings

To reduce the risk of being infected with the COVID-19 Delta variant and spreading it to others, the CDC is currently recommending all individuals, regardless of vaccination status, wear face coverings in public indoor settings. While face coverings will not be required inside U.S. Bank Stadium, the Vikings are strongly encouraging fans to follow CDC guidelines and wear masks inside the stadium.

Health Screenings

For the safety of all fans, players and game day staff, if within the 14 days preceding the game a fan has tested positive for COVID-19, has experienced COVID-19 related symptoms or is feeling generally unwell, he/she should stay home. Should a fan begin to feel unwell while at U.S. Bank Stadium, a game-day staff member should be notified immediately; appropriate facilities and resources are available as necessary.

Activities

Delta Vikings Village (outside U.S. Bank Stadium)

The Delta Vikings Village will open at 10:30 a.m. and close one hour after the game ends.

It will include the following activities:

Music provided by DJ Omaur from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Spaces sponsored by Andersen Windows + Doors, Crown Royal, Hy-Vee, MN Lottery and Mystic Lake

Food and beverages available from Aramark at The Longhouse (opens at 10:30 a.m.) and additional locations throughout the plaza

Vikings Locker Room Store merchandise trailers

Minnesota Vikings Foundation: Garage sale bags for sale on a first-come, first-serve basis

Bag check (on Park Avenue, just south of 4th Street and north of the Light Rail tracks; open from noon until one hour after the game; cost is $10 per bag)

Autographs by Vikings Legends Carl Hilton and Stu Voigt from 2 to 3 p.m.

The Commons (outside U.S. Bank Stadium)

The Kickoff Concert is presented by Miller Lite, in partnership with K102. Gates will open at 10 a.m., with music from DJ A-Quil. The Pork Tornadoes are scheduled to take the stage at 11:30 a.m., and Lynch is scheduled to start at 1 p.m.

Numerous family-friendly activities are planned for The Commons, including the following:

Minnesota Vikings Chuck for Charity

Inflatable games, tailgate games and face painting

Performances by the SKOL Line and Minnesota Vikings Cheerleaders

Food Trucks: All Square, Los Ocampo & Rollin Nolen's BBQ

Game Elements

Grand Reopening

In a nod to the 2016 U.S. Bank Stadium opening, which featured a halftime performance by the Minnesota Orchestra, the Vikings have partnered with the Minnesota Orchestra for the grand reopening. This offseason, keyboardist and former member of The New Power Generation Tommy Barbarella composed "Symphony of the North," which was then conducted by world-renowned Music Director Osmo Vänskä and performed by the Grammy Award-winning Minnesota Orchestra for use in the Vikings pregame show. Vänskä is in his final year as music director in 2021-2022.

The piece will be part the new "Showtime" sequence that features new dramatic team introductions prefaced by Vikings Ring of Honor member Jim Marshall's "Odin Story." The ironman and longtime team captain who started a franchise-record 270 consecutive games will lead other Legends in a video.

Note: The Vikings strongly suggest fans try to make it to their seats by 3 p.m.

National Anthem

The Minnesota Orchestra Brass Quintet will perform the National Anthem.

Color Guard

A Joint Service Honor Guard with members of the Army, Air Force, Marines, Navy and Coast Guard will present the colors, and members of the Armed Services will display a full-field American flag.

Gjallarhorn

Vikings Ring of Honor and Pro Football Hall of Fame member Randall McDaniel will sound the Gjallarhorn. The guard appeared in 11 of his 12 Pro Bowls as a member of the Vikings, setting a franchise record for selections.

Player Warmups

DJ Skee returns with a set-list composed of players' favorite warmup songs. The SkeeTV host, Dash radio founder and St. Paul native is widely considered a leading voice in the hip-hop community.

TCO Legends Connection

Vikings Ring of Honor linebacker Scott Studwell, the franchise leader in career tackles, will be interviewed by Greg Coleman during a break in the game action.

Halftime

U.S. Marine Corps Silent Drill Platoon

Legends Autographs

The following Vikings Legends plan to sign autographs from 2 to 3 p.m.

Delta Sky 360° Club — Esera Tuaolo

Medtronic Club — Rickey Young

FMP Club — Walker Lee Ashley

Polaris Club — Willie Howard

Little Six Club — Leo Lewis

Mystic Lake Club Purple — Robert Blanton

Split the Pot for the Minnesota Vikings Foundation

Split the Pot is a new raffle program that will give one lucky game day winner a chance to share the jackpot with the Minnesota Vikings Foundation. Raffle tickets of one, 10, 70, 200 and 500 can be purchased, ranging in price from $5 - $100 with a debit card from sellers outside on the Plaza and in the Commons and inside U.S. Bank Stadium. Sales will end at the 2-minute warning of the fourth quarter, and the winner will be posted on the Vikings Table Twitter account and online by 5 p.m. Monday.