Minnesota Vikings · NFL · NFC North

Tailgating at U.S. Bank Stadium

U.S. Bank Stadium in downtown Minneapolis, seen from The Commons
Photo: August Schwerdfeger, CC BY 4.0, cropped

The Vikings throw their own pregame outside the gates: the SPAM Tailgate at The Commons and Medtronic Plaza, three hours before kickoff, with food trucks, games, a DJ and the Skol Line, and it's the easy start with kids. The tailgate lots sell season passes only, so most fans ride light rail or park in a downtown ramp. A 2016 Vikings blogger called the view of the stadium and the skyline from the lot breathtaking. About 20 minutes before kickoff comes the Showtime Sequence: Odin on the screens, the players out of the dragon ship, then the Skol clap and the Gjallarhorn.

The lot answer

U.S. Bank Stadium's designated tailgate lots are run by Interstate Parking. The METRO Blue and Green lines stop at U.S. Bank Stadium Station, and prepaid downtown lots through ParkWhiz typically open 6 hours before an event.

Get the Pregame for the Vikings. Your lot, your game and what to cook, every week. Free.Get the Pregame for the Vikings

weekend lots open early
5 hrs
tailgate passes only
Season
in any tailgate lot
No glass
before The Commons party
3 hrs
Get the Pregame for the VikingsEmail me Or get the one-page game-day sheet
Rules checked Oct 14, 2026
Sources

Rules last verified Oct 14, 2026 against usbankstadium.com and vikings.com.

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Can't miss

  1. The Gjallarhorn and the Skol clap The big Viking horn sounds from the stands before kickoff, and the stadium answers with the slow Skol clap, arms overhead, one beat at a time.
  2. Daylight under a clear roof The roof is clear, so it's bright inside even on a gray December Sunday.

Quick answers

What time do the U.S. Bank Stadium tailgate lots open?

5 hours before kickoff for weekend games and 3 hours before for weekday games; flex scheduling can move it. Tailgating ends 3 hours after the game or at midnight, whichever comes first.

Can you grill at U.S. Bank Stadium?

Yes. The stadium's policy allows gas grills with propane cylinders up to 20 lbs and bans open fires fueled by charcoal or wood. The Vikings' season lot rules list charcoal grills as allowed, so check your pass; propane works under both.

Can you drink at Vikings tailgates?

Yes, if you're of legal drinking age. Kegs, drinking-game gear, large common containers and glass of any kind are banned in the lots.

Do you need a ticket to tailgate?

You need a tailgate pass. The designated lots sell season-long passes only, with no single-game passes. Without one, the team's pregame tailgate at The Commons is the place to go.

How do you buy parking?

Tailgate passes are season-long, through Interstate Parking, the Vikings' tailgate lot operator. For regular game-day parking, the Vikings send fans to ParkWhiz for prepaid spots in downtown lots and ramps.

Getting in

This is a train stadium. The tailgate lots are season-pass only, so most fans ride in or park downtown and walk.

Light rail
METRO Blue and Green lines stop at U.S. Bank Stadium Station, just northwest of the stadium.
Tailgate lots
Season passes only, through Interstate Parking. One space plus the 6 feet behind it; vehicles must fit a 9 x 18 stall.
Skyway garage
The parking garage north of 4th Street connects to the stadium by skyway. Skyway hours vary by event.
Prepaid
Downtown lots and ramps through ParkWhiz, the Vikings' parking partner. Lots typically open 6 hours before an event.
Bus / RV
No buses or RVs in the tailgate lots. Charter buses park on 7th Street South with a City of Minneapolis permit.
Rideshare
Pickup and drop-off on 10th Avenue South between 6th and 7th Streets.
Accessible
Accessible parking in every surrounding lot and ramp, and a drop-off on 10th Avenue South between 6th and 7th Streets.
U.S. Bank Stadium surroundings, simplified
U.S. Bank Stadium surroundings, simplified
 See the official U.S. Bank Stadium parking map

Driving between lots and ramps isn't allowed once you're downtown. Pick your lot before you go.
Vehicles inside the stadium's secured perimeter get a security inspection before parking or drop-off.
No car? That's the easy way. The METRO Blue and Green lines run to U.S. Bank Stadium Station from Minneapolis, St. Paul and Bloomington, and there are more than 180 free bike racks around the stadium.

The rules

Rules last verified Oct 14, 2026 against usbankstadium.com and vikings.com.

Two sets of rules apply here, the stadium's and the Vikings' lot operator's. Where they differ, we say so.

Grills
Stadium policy: gas grills, propane up to 20 lbs, no charcoal or wood fires. The Vikings' lot rules also allow charcoal; check your pass.
Alcohol
Legal drinking age only. No kegs, drinking-game gear or common-source containers.
Tents
Allowed if they don't block spaces or aisles. No stakes, and 8 x 8 max in the Vikings' lots.
Your space
One space and the 6 feet behind it. No saving spots, and travel aisles stay clear.
Who's allowed
Season tailgate pass holders. There are no single-game passes.
Not allowed
Glass of any kind, drones and kites, couches, deep fryers, pets except service animals, selling anything.
When it ends
3 hours after the game or midnight, whichever comes first.
Bags at the gate
Clear, up to 12 x 6 x 12 inches (clear backpacks OK), a 1-gallon freezer bag, or a small clutch.
Gates open
About 2 hours before kickoff. The stadium is cashless inside.
Compare the rules in all 173 guides →

Before you go

U.S. Bank Stadium tailgating policyVikings tailgating lotsVikings pregame fan tailgateVikings A to Z guideU.S. Bank Stadium directions and parking

Official pages. Rules change; check them the week of the game.

Pack for Minneapolis

What we'd bring.

The game's indoors; the lots and the walk aren't. November and December call for real winter layers.

Shipping and returns

Gear for Vikings fans

In stock now.

All Vikings gear →

Where the party is

Downtown Minneapolis doesn't have acres of open asphalt, and the official tailgate lots run on season passes. For everyone else, the pregame is at The Commons and Medtronic Plaza, a short walk from the gates.

The pregame party

SPAM Tailgate at The Commons

The Vikings' pregame tailgate in the park west of the stadium: food trucks, drinks, yard games and a DJ from 3 hours before kickoff, plus the Skol Line and the cheerleaders.

At the gates

Medtronic Plaza

On the stadium's west side, open 3 hours before kickoff, with live music, a concession stand and the team's food truck.

Pass holders

The season tailgate lots

Designated lots run by Interstate Parking for Vikings games only.

Know a setup worth showing off? Nominate your tailgate.

What to eat

Cook thisJuicy Lucy burgers

Getting out

Everybody leaves downtown at once, but you've got more options here than most stadiums. Best first:

  1. Take the light rail. U.S. Bank Stadium Station is right outside. Check Metro Transit for postgame service.
  2. Use the skyway. Parked in the connected garage? Walk out indoors. Hours vary by event.
  3. Rideshare from 10th Avenue South. Pickup is between 6th and 7th Streets, on the south side of the stadium.

  4. Skip this

    Drive out at the final whistle. Pass holders have up to 3 hours after the game, or until midnight. Stay at your tailgate and let the streets empty first.

First time here?

  • No tailgate pass? Plan on The Commons and the light rail.
  • Propane is the safe call. Leave the charcoal home.
  • Cans and plastic only. Glass is banned in the lots.
  • Bring weights for the canopy. Stakes aren't allowed.
  • Bring a card. Cash isn't accepted inside the stadium.
  • Weekday game? Lots open 3 hours out, not 5.

Visiting? How to join a tailgate

Head to the SPAM Tailgate at The Commons: food trucks, yard games and the Skol Line, steps from the gates. Wear your colors and keep it friendly.

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