Some Minnesota Vikings tailgating opportunities lost

News broke last Saturday on Twitter that at least 325 tailgating spaces will be lost the season due to their private owners starting construction and no spaces. KSTP channel 5’s Kirsten Swanson, reported on the story and how some fans are extremely upset.

One example was of Jesse Timmers from Oakdale:

"It was nice because you're guaranteed that spot," Timmers said. "Now on a first-come, first-serve basis and with every year losing another spot to tailgate at, it's going to be very difficult to get down there and start tailgating.”

The reduction in lots and spaces around US Bank Stadium were hoped-for as inevitable by the city with which the Minnesota Vikings have to work with. It was foreseen that there would be economic development, and revenue gathered from such development would be greater than that of just a series of parking lots. As this happens, the Vikings have let season-ticket holders know via email, that this may happen, but they are working diligently to mitigate the inconvenience. They released this statement to all of their season-ticket holders.

U.S. Bank Stadium has helped generate significant economic development in the East Town neighborhood, which is great for Minneapolis and the state. For several years the Vikings have worked to ensure tailgating remains available despite the changing landscape near the stadium, and we will continue to look for ways to accommodate those fans who want to participate in the tradition. Beyond that, it is not appropriate for us to comment on another private lot owner's development.

All of us, if we do not already tailgate, have friends that do. Hopefully, they can all find solutions for this season.

Ms. Swanson goes on to write the tailgaters would only be able to use Lot 53 on a per game basis in a first-come, first-serve manner. Upon talking with Jeff Anderson of the Vikings, he replied that the Vikings are actively working to get other spaces available.

https://twitter.com/andersonj/status/895340981029146626

Tailgating is very much part of the Minnesota Vikings tradition, means a whole lot to he fans that go to the game and enriches their game day experience tremendously. If you are one of those fans, hopefully you are working directly with the Vikings or on some sort of other alternative solutions so that the tradition and fun can continue.

The Vikings have put out there early tailgating schedule with the first opportunity being Sunday, August 27 when the San Francisco 49ers come to town for preseason game 3.

http://prod.static.vikings.clubs.nfl.com/assets/images/tickets/2017/TailgateSchedule2017.JPG