Minnesota Vikings Unveil New Stadium, Features the World’s Largest Clear Roof and Glass Pivoting Doors [PHOTO GALLERY + VIDEO]
Members of the Metropolitan Sports Facilities Authority gathered with officials from the Minnesota Vikings, political leaders, and fans of the team at the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis for the ceremonial vote of approval and presentation of the schematics of the new $975 million Vikings stadium.
Michelle Kelm-Helgen, chair of the MSFA, along with Governor Mark Dayton, Vikings radio play-by-play announcer Paul Allen, and team owners Mark and Zygi Wilf all spoke about the amount of cooperation it took among community and state leaders to make this new multi-use facility possible. They also reminded those in the audience that this will be a multi-use facility that will have a positive impact on the economic growth of the city and surrounding region.
Following those opening statements, HKS Sports & Entertainment Group representative Brian Trubey walked audience members through the themes from different aspects of the Minnesota culture and geography that influenced the design of the new stadium. He focused on “design and craft” as the key themes that influenced design. Emphasis on visitor experience, modern technology, and sustainability also held strong influences in the design offered.
The design decision to not have a retractable roof was discussed, with Trubey using the phrase "Clear is the new retractable", speaking to the clear overhead material that will allow natural light in and work with other design elements to help provide natural heating and cooling for the stadium. Glass will be a major aspect of the exterior, allowing a lot of natural light in. Among several of the design elements made of glass are 95-foot tall pivoting doors at the main entry. According to Trubey, these doors will stand among the largest of their kind in the world.
Among technology amenities, two electronic screens approximately 50 feet tall and 150 feet wide will be at either end of the field, with hundreds of feet of video ribbon circling the stadium. This will provide one of the largest amounts of video screen space among all NFL stadiums. Wireless internet and other personally interactive tools will also add to the experience for sporting events, concerts, and other events.
Facts & Figures About The New Stadium
- Approximately 1.6 million square feet.
- 65,000 seats, including some of the closest in the NFL; expandable to 73,000 for a Super Bowl.
- Up to 125 suites and 7,500 club seats, including suites and clubs at the field level, some of which will put fans closer to the sideline than in any other NFL stadium.
- Seven levels, including two general admission concourses with 360-degree circulation and various views into the bowl.
- Highest quality HD video boards in the NFL located in both the east and west end zones and video ribbon boards throughout the interior of the seating bowl.
- Over 1,200 HD flat screen televisions throughout the concourse for all fans in attendance to view the game.
- Capability to host more events than any other large stadium in the world, including NFL football and a Super Bowl, MLS soccer, NCAA basketball and baseball, high school sporting events, motocross, concerts, conventions, marching band competitions.
- Access points to the city and stadium site from all four sides of the stadium.
- Large west plaza (over two acres in size) for game day, non-game day and seasonal public gatherings as a connection to the downtown corridor.
- Lightest and most efficient roof structure in the nation for a major new stadium, which will include a single large steel super truss providing primary support for the main long span roof.
- Largest clear ethylene tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE) roof in the world and the first on a stadium in the nation, allowing connection to the outdoors from a climate-controlled environment.
- Largest glass pivoting doors in the world that will open to the west plaza.
- Application for LEED-certified status.
- Parking ramps with skyways from the north and south sides of the stadium and connections from the facility to the downtown skyway system.