In the team’s 48-year history, the Minnesota Vikings have called two stadiums “home” - the Metropolitan Stadium in Bloomington, MN, and the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome in Minneapolis, MN. On September 10, 1961, the Vikings played their first-ever home game, a 21-17 preseason loss to the LA Rams at Metropolitan Stadium. Over 21 seasons (1961-1981), the Vikings compiled a 97-59-4 record, including playoffs, at Met Stadium and possessed one of the most dominant home field advantages in professional football. On December 20, 1981, the Vikings played their final game at the Met, a 10-6 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. Capacity of the Met in its final year was 48,446.
In 1982, the Vikings moved indoors to the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome in downtown Minneapolis, which holds 64,121 people and is considered one of the loudest stadiums in the NFL. The dome features two Sony Jumbotron replay screens, a ribbon board and 115 private suites owned and operated by the Vikings. The 2008 season will mark the team’s 27th year in the Metrodome, five more years than the team’s stay at the Met. In 26 years at the Metrodome, the Vikings have compiled a 140-81 record, which includes a 6-4 mark in NFL playoff action.
Construction of the Metrodome was financed through a successful partnership of public and private interests. Funded initially through the sale of 30-year bonds, the facility’s debt was retired 14 years ahead of schedule. The Vikings were largely responsible for the tenant-generated portion of the funding that retired that debt.
The Metrodome has been host to many marquee sporting events, including Super Bowl XXVI, the 1987 and 1991 World Series, the 1985 Major League Baseball All-Star Game, the 1992 NCAA Final Four basketball tournament and the 1998 NFC Championship Game. The Metrodome also hosted an NCAA Men’s Basketball Regional in 2000, 2003 and 2005 as well as the 2001 NCAA Men’s Final Four.
Despite the benefit the Metrodome has provided for the state of Minnesota over the last 26 years, the facility is outdated and remains one of only three multi-purpose stadiums left in the country. With the Vikings Metrodome lease expiring in 2011, the team is seeking a new stadium in Downtown East Minneapolis.