Vikings Encouraging Fans To Get To U.S. Bank Stadium Early

After many, many days of waiting. . .253 days, to be precise. . .tonight we will get to watch the Minnesota Vikings return to the turf at U.S. Bank Stadium in a game that actually matters. The Vikings are one of just four six teams that has not already started their 2017 NFL season (since I forgot about the canceled Buccaneers/Dolphins game), and that will change tonight when they host the New Orleans Saints on Monday Night Football.

Tonight’s game has a slightly earlier start time of around 6:00 PM Central. Generally, Monday Night Football games start at around 7:30 PM, so this is about 90 minutes before the usual time. Because of that, people attempting to get to the stadium might have to deal with additional traffic with commuters exiting the downtown area to go home from work. So, according to Ben Goessling of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, the team is encouraging fans to get to the stadium early if at all possible.

Festivities around U.S. Bank Stadium will be getting underway at around 1:00 PM, as there will be an outdoor concert at the Commons Park on the west side of the stadium. The concert will feature several musicians, including a group named Hippo Campus (very nice) and several people that have been featured on the NBC talent search program, The Voice.

At 5:45 PM, just before kickoff, there will be a tribute video to Randy Moss that is shown in honor of Moss being inducted into the Vikings’ Ring of Honor at halftime. (This would also be a fine opportunity to retire the #84. . .just sayin’.) Moss will also be sounding the Gjallarhorn before tonight’s game. There will also be a 9/11 tribute before this evening’s game, complete with a flyover from a B-52.

So, if you’re planning on attending tonight’s game, make sure you get there early, because there will be plenty going on. . .and it will help you to avoid the traffic, too.