Vaulted: Getting to and Navigating U.S. Bank Stadium

Sunday night, when the Minnesota Vikings' face Green Bay on Sunday Night Football, it will be the Vikings' first regular season home game in U.S. Bank Stadium. Since those attending the game will already have to deal with the hassles of fans from the opposing team, we're trying to take additional irritation out of the event by providing you with information to make your life easier.

Here are a few things from the U.S. Bank Stadium’s website and other sites on the Internet that might be helpful to know before you head out to see the Vikings on Sunday night. And, if you have been to U.S. Bank Stadium, please share any helpful information from your experience in the comments below.

Getting there

There are a variety of ways to get to U.S. Bank Stadium.

• If you are driving to the stadium, remember that it is still road construction season in Minnesota so you might want to check your route against the map Minnesota Department of Transportation site (particularly if you are driving in from outside of the Twin Cities). Here is a link to the Twin Cities Metro Area Weekend Traffic Impacts (because calling them delays would sound too negative). Once you get to the stadium, here’s what you need to know about parking.
• If you are considering taking public transportation to the game, here's a link to all the public transportation information on the stadium’s website and here’s a link specifically about the Light Rail and Bus Schedule in Minneapolis.

Security

Although U.S. Bank Stadium has already hosted a handful of events, it is likely that the facility is still fine-tuning its security screening process so you might want to allow for extra time to get through security. The NFL still has its loathsome bag policy in place. They say it is for the sake of security, I say it is to encourage sales of the official NFL clear, plastic tote bags. At any rate, it is a good idea to check out the policy if you normally carry a purse or are going to attend the game with someone who normally carries a purse. Oh, and I highly recommend actually measuring your clutch purse if you are thinking of bringing it to the game because the bag policy’s definition of a clutch is more like a coin purse.

In addition to the NFL’s bag policy, there is also a hefty list of other items that guest are not allowed to bring into U.S. Bank Stadium. That list, as well as lots of other general safety information can be found here on the U.S. Bank Stadium website.

Food

There's a growing trend in stadium food to reflect the local culinary trends of the area, and U.S. Bank Stadium embraced the trend wholeheartedly. While you can still get the usual stadium fare, you can also get a taste of the Twin Cities with concessions featuring food from the local restaurant scene. The St. Paul Pioneer Press had a great feature on some of the best local food available at the stadium. But, no matter what you decide to eat at the stadium, it will be expensive so be prepared to get gouged.

According to the stadium’s list of prohibited items, you aren’t allowed to bring outside food with you into the stadium. The outside food you are allowed to bring in is infant feeding supplies (there are also lactation suites in the stadium). Having said that, I chatted with someone who did bring a small plastic bag of snacks into the stadium without a problem. It’s just up to you if you want to roll the dice on that.

Apps

In 2016, wireless internet has ceased to be a luxury and is seen more as something between an entitlement and a need. U.S. Bank Stadium was built with that in mind. Free Wi-Fi is available for stadium guests under the Wi-Fi name #USB-Stadium.

If you are going to the game consider getting the US Bank Stadium app on your smart phone. The stadium app includes features like directions to the stadium, information about taking Metro Transit to the stadium, finding your seat in the stadium, directions within the stadium to concessions or restrooms, information about Americans with Disabilities Accessibility, buying tickets, and more. Download the stadium app and familiarize yourself with it before heading to the stadium so you’re ready to go when you get to the stadium.

Although the stadium is roofed, it doesn’t hurt to have a good weather app on your phone so you know what to expect when you are going to or from the stadium. I like Yahoo! Weather, but find whatever works for you.

Noise

Noise is going to be a great advantage for the Minnesota Vikings and the early reviews are that U.S. Bank Stadium could be as loud, if not louder, than its predecessor the Metrodome. An article about the Vikings’ preseason game against the San Diego Chargers said that the noise in the stadium measured 114 decibels. That’s great for a home-field advantage, but hard on the ears. Prolonged exposure to noises that loud can cause Noise-Induced Hearing Loss so, if you value your ears (or you have small children with you at the game) you might want to protect them with earplugs.

Will Call

If you are picking up tickets at Will Call, word is that the lines can be ridiculously long so you should pack your patience.