Santa Clara, CA, & Eden Prairie, MN (April 4, 2016) – The Minnesota Vikings and VenueNext announced an agreement today to implement the VenueNext technology platform at U.S. Bank Stadium beginning in 2016.
Vikings fans attending games at the state-of-the-art stadium will see a new version of the team's mobile app that will seamlessly incorporate many venue services, including an enhanced digital ticketing option, wayfinding, food and beverage ordering and express pick-up service, loyalty rewards, merchandise ordering, push notifications and robust video content. The new app will integrate Ticketmaster, Aramark, point-of-sale solution Appetize, seat upgrade technology Experience, loyalty company Skidata and content app developer Adept into one Vikings app, eliminating the need to download multiple apps for stadium services.
"We look forward to launching this new, dynamically-upgraded app that not only will give all Vikings fans a better experience when consuming team content on their mobile devices but also will allow seamless access to the numerous amenities at U.S. Bank Stadium," said Vikings Owner/President Mark Wilf. "Our goals are always to provide the best game day experience possible and to continue developing deeper engagement with all Vikings fans, and the VenueNext technology will help achieve both."
Set to be unveiled in the coming weeks in time for the 2016 NFL Draft, the new Vikings app will connect fans to everything U.S. Bank Stadium has to offer. It will also help in making real-time, data-driven decisions to improve the user experience and allow the Vikings to better serve fans attending Vikings games. The Vikings are the third NFL team to partner with VenueNext, which was named as one of the top 10 most innovative companies in sports by Fast Company in 2015.
View the latest aerial construction photos of U.S. Bank Stadium from all angles from late March of 2016.
"We're excited to extend our reach in the NFL through this collaboration with the Vikings," said John Paul, CEO & Founder of VenueNext. "We want to become the standard for bringing Silicon Valley innovation to fan experiences, and implementing in a state-of-the-art development like U.S. Bank Stadium brings us closer to that goal. We also look forward to working with the Vikings to leverage the unique data generated by our platform to gain new insights and better serve the stadium's guests."
The app is a critical piece to the overall world-class technology infrastructure for U.S. Bank Stadium. The stadium will showcase the most 13HD video and ribbon board technology in the NFL, and approximately 2,000 HDTVs will be placed throughout the venue, keeping fans connected to the action on the field. Nearly 1,300 CenturyLink Wi-Fi access points will be installed throughout the building, including within "clam shells" installed inside the hand rails, ensuring all fans will have wireless capabilities no matter where they are located. The venue will also have a neutral distributed antenna system (DAS) installed by Verizon Wireless to ensure a level playing field for all major wireless carriers.
Further emphasizing the stadium's innovative nature will be the 240,000 square feet of translucent ETFE making up 60 percent of the stadium's roof; when combined with 180,000 square feet of glass throughout the building, the clear roof will give fans an outdoor feel in a climate-controlled environment. Five of the world's largest pivoting glass doors standing between 75 and 95 feet high, LED lighting and a skyway connection to the entire downtown Minneapolis core are just some of the other unique design features.
About VenueNext
VenueNext is a technology company on a mission to transform the way people around the world experience venues. VenueNext's platform unifies the venue infrastructure ecosystem, giving venue owners access to an entirely new suite of sophisticated software tools and services that enhance business performance. VenueNext also develops context-aware smartphone apps that for the first time seamlessly connect guests with everything a venue has to offer. Founded in 2013, VenueNext is backed by Aurum Partners LLC and other funds affiliated with the owners of the San Francisco 49ers, Causeway Media Partners, Live Nation Entertainment, Twitter Ventures and Aruba Networks. VenueNext has offices in San Francisco, Silicon Valley and New York. VenueNext was named one of the top ten most innovative companies in sports by Fast Company in 2015 and was the recipient of a 2015 Edison Award for Innovation. Please visit www.venuenext.com to learn more.
