The Vikings will host the Texans at noon (CT) Sunday in the first regular-season day game at U.S. Bank Stadium.
The team is continuing several new rituals that were launched on Sept. 18 when the Vikings defeated the Packers 17-14 and were part of Minnesota's 24-10 victory over the New York Giants on Monday Night Football.
The celebration will begin outside the stadium at 9:30 a.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.
The Vikings will honor breast cancer patients, survivors, caregivers and those who have lost their battles with the disease as part of the "A Crucial Catch" breast cancer awareness game.
Additionally, the Vikings will celebrate Homecoming Weekend for our alumni.
Stadium opens: 9:30 a.m.
Kickoff: Noon
Key logistics for fans attending the game
A dedicated Skyway route is open.
Road closures for Twin Cities Marathon near U.S. Bank Stadium
Beginning at 5 a.m. Sunday, all streets between 5th Avenue and 11th Avenue and between 6th Street and 3rd Street will be closed. The streets will reopen at approximately 9 a.m. prior to stadium gates opening at 9:30 a.m.
Fans with season-long parking passes in any affected lot will receive access instructions via email. Fans arriving after 9 a.m. should not be impacted.
Broadcast info
Television: WCCO 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, a native of St. Paul, Minnesota
Special breast cancer awareness performance:
Pop sensation, Alessia Cara, will perform her new song "Scars to Your Beautiful" while a breast cancer survivor human ribbon will be formed on the field.
Vikings SKOL Chant
The Vikings will continue 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. 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: Female members of the Minnesota National Guard
National Anthem: Former Vikings defensive tackle Esera Tuaolo (1992-96)
Gjallarhorn:Former Vikings quarterback Tommy Kramer (1977-89)
Honorary Captains: Former Vikings cornerback Bobby Bryant (1967-80) and receiver Sammy White (1976-86)
U.S. Bank Hometown Hero: Karen Schroepfer, a breast cancer survivor
Souvenir, player-designed cup: Prior to the season, several players worked with artists on designs of limited edition souvenir cups. Teddy Bridgewater worked with an artist on the cup for tonight's game and Oct. 9 against Houston. It has a Breast Cancer Awareness theme and is $8 at concession stands or $10 in the Hyundai Club where refills are part of the ticket package.
M Hospitality is donating $1,000 to charity in Bridgewater's name for his collaboration.
Halftime: The Vikings will proudly celebrate our alumni and Ring of Honor members.
Out-of-stadium elements
Delta Vikings Village & The Commons Park
Vikings Village opens: 9:30 a.m.
Delta Vikings Village Stage Timeline
Good for Gary, 9:30 a.m. to noon
SKOL Line Performance: 10 a.m.
Cheerleader Performance: 10:45 a.m.
Delta Vikings Village Activities:
Live Music – Performed by Good for Gary from 9:30 a.m. to noon
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, KFAN, Medtronic, Mystic Lake, Polaris, Schwan's, TCO, Team Coalition, U.S. Bank and Verizon
American Cancer Society and Zeta Tau Alpha members and volunteers will pass out pink ribbons to fans at The Commons and on the Medtronic Plaza
2,000 breast cancer awareness magnets will be handed out on the Medtronic Plaza
Longhouse:
The Longhouse, a 6,000-plus-square-foot-structure will open at 9:30 a.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.
Food Vendors:
Aramark will be serving burgers, brats, hotdogs and wings from the brick building on Delta Vikings Village and from inside the Longhouse. There will be MillerCoors products and Pepsi products for sale throughout Delta Vikings Village and inside the Longhouse.
Merchandise:
The Vikings Locker Room will have a merchandise truck 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 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. in the Century Link Legends Autograph Zone in the Delta Vikings Village and on the Medtronic Plaza. Autographs are subject to change at any time and without notice. A game ticket is required to enter the Medtronic Plaza.
Century Link Legends Autograph Zone/Delta Vikings Village:
Keith Millard, defensive tackle (1985-91)
Henry Thomas, defensive tackle (1987-94)
Medtronic Plaza:
Paul Krause, safety (1968-79)
Know the Houston Texans key contributors on offense, defense and special teams heading into the game on Sunday.
Hopkins was third in the NFL in receptions (111), targets (192) and receiving yards (1,521) in 2015.
Osweiler has 949 passing yards and five touchdowns, with a 74.8 passer rating during his first season with the Texans.
The Vikings defense can expect a heavy dose of Lamar Miller, who is second in the NFL in rushing attempts (93).
Rookie Will Fuller is the Texans leading receiver in receptions (19), and receiving yards (323).
Clowney has been riddled by knee-injuries in his first two years in the NFL since being selected first overall by Houston in the 2014 NFL Draft.
Miller was drafted by the Texans with the 85th overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft. Miller has big-play potential and ran his 40-yard dash in 4.41 seconds.
The eight-year veteran recorded four tackles and two pass breakups in the Texans 27-20 win last week over the Titans.
Novak is fourth in the NFL with nine field goals made in the first four games of the season.
Jackson leads the Texans secondary with seven years of experience in Houston. He has complied 21 tackles in the first four games of the season.
O'Brien is 21-15 since taking over the head coaching job for Houston and began his job in 2014, the same season as Mike Zimmer took over the Vikings.
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: 10 a.m.
SKOL Line Performance 10:15 a.m.
The Commons:
Food Information: There will be three food trucks located on 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 a breast cancer awareness magnet
