The Vikings will host the Packers at 7:30 p.m. (CT) Sunday in the first regular-season game inside U.S. Bank Stadium.

To celebrate this milestone moment in the history of the franchise and Minnesota, the team is launching a new series of pregame rituals that pay homage to tradition in a revolutionary way.

With the stadium gates opening at 5 p.m., fans are being asked to arrive early (and be in their seats by 7 p.m.) to help usher in this new era of Vikings football. Fans also are encouraged to enjoy a one-of-a-kind special halftime performance by the Minnesota Orchestra from their seats.

The celebration will begin outside the stadium at 3 p.m. with the opening of the Delta Vikings Village and The Commons Park. Here's a rundown of in-game elements, as well as festivities before the game.

Stadium opens: 5 p.m.

Kickoff: 7:30 p.m.

Key logistics for fans attending the game

Broadcast info

Television: KARE 11 in the Twin Cities

Radio: KFAN 100.3-FM in the Twin Cities and across the five-state Vikings Radio Network

In-stadium elements

Pre-game festivities:

Player Warm-ups with DJ Skee

Vikings player warm-ups will feature a live DJ performance by artist, television host and radio personality DJ Skee. The St. Paul, Minnesota, native will perform from the field beginning at 6:30 p.m.

"Welcome Home" Video

Narrated by former Vikings wide receiver Ahmad Rashad, a "Welcome Home" video will be displayed on the videoboards inside U.S. Bank Stadium shortly after 7:00 p.m. This will be the only time the video, which highlights Vikings history and U.S. Bank Stadium, will be shown inside the venue.

Vikings Skol Chant

The Vikings will debut the "Vikings Skol Chant," a version of the "Vikings War Chant" that was made famous by the Iceland men's national soccer team after their return from the Euro 2016 this summer. After video appearances by Aron Gunnarsson, the captain of Iceland's national team, and Thor Bjornsson, a native Icelander and "The Mountain" from Game of Thrones, the entire stadium will be led in the chant by Vikings alumni, creating a new tradition as part of the U.S. Bank Stadium fan experience.

Alumni Video/Vikings Introductions

Featuring Vikings alumni Matt Birk, Chris Doleman, Carl Eller, Jim Marshall, Randall McDaniel, Alan Page, John Randle, Ahmad Rashad and Scott Studwell, a new video will welcome the Vikings opponent on to the field and lead into the Vikings new team introduction that features video, audio and a never-before-seen interactive tunnel from which the team will enter.

Color Guard: Joint Services Color Guard, accompanied by a large American flag presented by the Minnesota National Guard

National Anthem: TBA

Gjallarhorn:TBA

U.S. Bank Hometown Hero:Four-star General John Vessey, who served in World War II, Korea and Vietnam; Vessey served as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff for President Ronald Reagan and is the only soldier to hold every rank from private to four-star general in the U.S. Army.

U.S. Bank Halftime Show

The Vikings encourage fans to stay in their seats during an extended halftime ceremony unlike any other in Vikings history. The team has partnered with the Grammy Award-winning Minnesota Orchestra, as well as event producer and stage director Michael Shann, whose producing experience includes the Closing Ceremony for the XXII Winter Olympic Games and the Opening/Closing for the 2015 Pan Am & Parapan Am Games. The eight-minute performance, which will feature acclaimed conductor Osmo Vänskä leading the orchestra, celebrates Vikings fans, Minnesota history and Minnesota's beloved icon Prince. It will include a light and video show featuring 15,000 square feet of projection-mapping on the stadium's turf.

Out-of-stadium elements

Delta Vikings Village & The Commons Park

"Back to Football Bash"

Beginning at 3:00 p.m., the Delta Vikings Village and The Commons Park greenspace between Fourth and Fifth Streets and Portland and Park Avenues will open for a free "Back to Football Bash" festival for fans with or without game tickets. The alcohol-free Commons will feature youth activities and a live concert from 3:15-5:30 p.m. The Delta Vikings Village will include a live concert from 5:30-7:00 p.m., a Miller Lite Beer Garden and several interactive displays near the U.S. Bank Stadium LRT station.

Vikings Village opens: 3 p.m.

Delta Vikings Village Stage Timeline

Johnny Holm Band:  5-7:30 p.m.

SKOL Line Performance:  5:30 p.m.

Cheerleader Performance: 6:15 p.m.

Delta Vikings Village Activities:

Live Music – Performed by Johnny Holm Band from 5 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. The Twin Cities Musician's Union will also perform its acoustic ensembles throughout the Plaza.

VCF Wheel of Fun – Promotional give-a-ways and VCF Silent Auction will be located at the corner of Chicago Avenue and South 4th Street.

Partner Activation Areas – Check out the fun activities our sponsors have planned in our Delta Vikings Village:

Caribou, Century Link, Hy-Vee, Jack Links, Mills Fleet Farm, Minnesota Lottery, Mystic Lake, Ryder Cup, Schwan's, U.S. Bank, and Verizon

Longhouse:

The Longhouse, a 6,000-plus-square-foot-structure will open at 3 p.m. and close one hour after the game ends for fans with and without game tickets to enjoy the pregame celebrations. It will close one hour after the end of the game. Aramark will serve Miller Lite and Coors Light inside the Longhouse, cash and credit cards are accepted. KFAN will live broadcast from 5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m.

Food Vendors:

Aramark will serve tailgate fare from the permanent structure located on the Plaza. Louis King Wings will sell wings from the same permanent structure.

Merchandise:

The Vikings Locker Room will have two merchandise trucks located in the Delta Vikings Village. The Minnesota Vikings Cheerleaders will be selling their 2016 calendars throughout the morning in the Delta Vikings Village and The Commons.

Autographs:

Autographs will take place from 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. in the Delta Vikings Village in the Century Link Legends Autograph Zone.

Dave Dixon, Offensive Lineman (1994 - 2004)

Leo Lewis, Wide Receiver (1981 – 1989, 1990 – 1991)

Medtronic Plaza

Mick Tingelhoff, Center (1962 – 1978)

*Vikings Rewards:  *         

Fans earn points for things that they already do and then redeem these points for unforgettable experiences and great prizes. Visit their booth on the Plaza to learn more and sign up.

First Aid:

A First Aid tent will be located on the Southeast end of the Commons at the corner of South 5th Street and Park Avenue.        

Bag Check:                         

The cost of the bag check is $10 with all proceeds benefiting the Vikings Children's Fund. It will be located on the westerly block of the Commons.

The Commons Stage Timeline

Cheerleader Performance: 4 p.m.

The Commons:

Face Painters – Unique and classic face painting opportunities provided for fans of all ages

Viktor Football Toss

QB Challenge – Throw to your favorite targets, Kyle Rudolph, Adrian Peterson and Stefon Diggs

Inflatable Obstacle Course – Climb walls, dodge defenders, and finish by going down the slide

Play 60 Zone

Giant Inflatable Bag Toss

Giveaways – The first 1,000 fans will receive the 2016 schedule poster and schedule cards.