The Vikings will host the Saints at 6 p.m. (CT) Monday at U.S. Bank Stadium to open the 2017 regular season at home.
This will be the first Week 1 home game for Minnesota since 2012.
Fans are encouraged to arrive early and be in their seats by 5:30 p.m. to enjoy and participate in multiple unique pre-game activities that include the following:
— A stadium-wide recognition in memory of 9/11 victims that will include the display of a full-field American flag and a flyover by a B-52 Bomber
— A never-before-seen video feature dedicated to the career of Randy Moss
— The official 2017 Vikings kickoff video
— The debut of the 2017 "Vikings SKOL Chant" that features the first of a season-long series that was filmed in Iceland
Several activities will occur outside of U.S. Bank Stadium as well, including a free concert sponsored by Miller Lite from 2 to 5 p.m. featuring Minnesota bands, food trucks and a Miller Lite Beer Garden. The area will open at 1:30 p.m.
Here's a look at logistics, events and activities inside and outside of the second-year venue.
Delta Vikings Village opens:3:30 p.m.
Stadium gates open: 3:40 p.m.
Kickoff: 6:10 p.m.
A dedicated **core** **Skyway route** will be open from 4 p.m. until midnight.
On the airwaves
National Television: ESPN (Play-by-play: Sean McDonough; Analyst: Jon Gruden; Sideline: Lisa Salters)
National Radio:Westwood One (Play-by-play: Ian Eagle; Analyst: Dan Fouts; Sideline: Ross Tucker)
Local Radio: KFAN 100.3-FM in the Twin Cities and across the five-state Vikings Radio Network will carry the game. A pre-game show with Mike Mussman will start at 4:30 p.m.
(Play-by-play: Paul Allen; Analyst: Pete Bercich; Sideline: Greg Coleman)
In-stadium elements
Pre-game festivities
**
Vikings 2017 SKOL Chant**
The Vikings will launch the 2017 "Vikings SKOL Chant," a version of the "Vikings War Chant" that was made famous by the Iceland men's national soccer team after its return from the Euro 2016 this summer. Aron Gunnarsson, the captain of Iceland's national team, and Thor Bjornsson, a native Icelander and "The Mountain" from Game of Thrones, helped pass along this new tradition in the regular-season opener.
Color Guard: Joint Service Color Guard (representing all U.S. military branches)
National Anthem: Daniel Rodriguez, a former NYPD officer and World Trade Center first responder who has received formal training from Plácido Domingo
Gjallarhorn:Randy Moss will become the second person ever to sound the Gjallarhorn more than once, joining Hall of Fame Head Coach Bud Grant.
Halftime:Randy Moss will become the 22nd Vikings Ring of Honor member and first to be inducted at U.S. Bank Stadium during a special ceremony in which Vikings Owners Zygi, Mark and Leonard Wilf will present Moss with a Ring of Honor purple jacket and ring. Moss will be joined by other Vikings Ring of Honor inductees as his name joins theirs on the façade of U.S. Bank Stadium.
U.S. Bank Hometown Hero:During each home game, U.S. Bank and the Minnesota Vikings will recognize one individual who has helped make our community a better place. We will honor a Minnesotan who has gone to extraordinary measures.
The Sept. 11 Hometown Hero is Tom Burnett, a Bloomington native who played quarterback at Jefferson High School and Saint John's University. Burnett was one of the heroes of United Airlines Flight 93 who gave his live to help save others.
Autographs:
Vikings Legends will sign autographs from 4:45 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. at multiple locations inside and outside of U.S. Bank Stadium and in the Delta Vikings Village. Autographs are subject to change at any time and without notice.
Locations inside U.S. Bank Stadium (game ticket required):
Delta Sky360 Club: Carl Lee
Medtronic Club: Jim Kleinsasser
FMP Club: Robert Tate
Hyundai Club: Talance Sawyer
Buffalo Wild Wings Club: Milt Sunde
Mystic Lake Club Purple: Gary Larsen
Locations outside U.S. Bank Stadium
Medtronic Plaza (game ticket required): Steve Jordan
Delta Vikings Village (no game ticket required): Rufus Bess, John Gilliam
Out-of-stadium elements
Delta Vikings Village Activities:
The Delta Vikings Village will be open from 3:30-5:45 p.m. on Monday to fans with and without game tickets.
Partner activation:
Bite Squad, CenturyLink, Diageo, Hyundai, Hy-Vee, Mills Fleet Farm, Minnesota Lottery, Mystic Lake, Sleep Number, Twin Cities Orthopedics and U.S. Bank are scheduled to have fan engagement areas.
Pepsi Sound the North Stage:
G.B. Leighton will perform from 3:30-5:45 p.m.
Delta Vikings Village Stage timeline:
Minnesota Vikings Cheerleaders & SKOL Line performance: 4:45 p.m.
Jostens Championship Tour:
Fans can check out replica Super Bowl rings from throughout the decades.
Prime Sport Longhouse:
The Prime Sport Longhouse will be open before, during and after Monday's game to fans with or without game tickets.
Food Information:
Aramark will be serving tailgate fair from inside and outside the Prime Sport Longhouse and the permanent building on Delta Vikings Village.
Beer, wine and the "Purple Passion" drink will be available for purchase in multiple locations. A bloody mary bar featuring New Amsterdam Vodka will be new this game.
Merchandise:
The Vikings Locker Room Store will have two merchandise trucks located in the Delta Vikings Village.
Activities on The Commons:
The Vikings and Miller Lite will host a free-to-the-public celebration of the upcoming season with a concert that features three Minnesota bands, local food trucks and a Miller Lite Beer Garden.
Alex Rossi and Jesse Larson are scheduled to perform, and another act will be announced this weekend.
Chuck for Charity – The Vikings new social impact department will be raising money for the Minnesota Vikings Foundation by challenging fans to make a 30-yard throw to an inflatable target. Winners will receive prizes of varying types each game. The Minnesota Vikings Foundation also will be selling limited edition T-shirts specially designed for the Vikings-Saints game. The T-shirt costs are being covered by U.S. Bank so that all sales can go to the Minnesota Vikings Foundation.
Food Vendors –There will be three food trucks on The Commons, offering a variety of options from the southern part of the eastern block of The Commons. Food truck and beverage sales are scheduled to begin at 1 p.m.
First Aid:
EMTs will move through The Commons and the Delta Vikings Village from 2 to 5 p.m.
*Bag Check: *
Check your bag for $10 per item (cash only) at our secure bag check located in The Commons.
