US Bank Stadium: Fans concerned about tailgating situation

U.S. Bank Stadium looks like it will be an amazing facility, but fans have concerns that there won’t be any place for tailgating.

If you build it they will come, but where will they tailgate?

Fans knew this might be an issue right from the start. Construct a new downtown facility with a bigger footprint than the Metrodome and a lot of those tailgating spaces would have to be erased. Simple math.

According to Monday’s StarTribune piece, the math is working out more-or-less how fans expected.

As of today the Vikings have a very uphill battle to secure tailgating space around U.S. Bank Stadium ahead of its opening in six months, and even if they win the battle there still might not be sufficient room for fans to enjoy themselves in the manner to which they have become accustomed:

"The team is assured of only 125 tailgate spots that it owns across the street from the new stadium. Although some private owners are likely to allow their lots to be used, some of the 500 to 800 spots the team says it needs to meet fan demand could be up to a 15-minute walk away. And even with those, that’s roughly a third of the spots that were available in Metrodome days."

A 15-minute walk after you’ve already been drinking beer for several hours?

Vikings superfan Karl Heinrichs spoke for many when he told the StarTribune of the dilemma he will face should the team fail to make the deals necessary to secure more lots for tailgating reasonably close to the stadium:

"On game days, [Heinrichs] adopts the persona of Sir Death in the Viking World Order fan club. But tailgating more than a block or so away from the stadium is impractical once he dons a helmet, boots and other regalia.“I can’t walk for six blocks from the tailgating to the stadium with all my stuff,” Heinrichs said."

We feel your pain, Sir Death. Don’t worry though, the Vikings are on it.

Even as we speak, the Vikings are begging city officials to expand the zone around the stadium where tailgating with alcohol is allowed.

They’re negotiating with neighborhood groups who seem amenable to opening up blocks for tailgating provided fans don’t act like unruly drunken idiots and litter all over the place.

Football fans act like unruly drunken idiots who don’t care about picking up trash?

The Vikings also have suggested folks use the planned Commons next to the stadium as a place to enjoy themselves before games, but fans like Sir Death think the Commons is just a ploy to wring more money out of people (via StarTribune):

"“Most people think the park is just their way to get you to pay $8 for a beer so you’re paying them outside the stadium,” he said. “People like to grill their own food and drink their own beer.”"

Why build a park instead of a parking lot that could be used by tailgaters? Why construct a grassy controlled enjoyment space instead of just laying down some good old-fashioned pavement and letting people bring in their own beer and food as they have been doing for decades?

Oh right, because it’s of more benefit to the community. And it’s green! Tell that to the poor fool schlepping himself six blocks in full Viking warrior gear, already loaded on Michelob.

I smell math again. And something else too.

Next: Vikings likely to get Thanksgiving game

Not to throw cold water on everyone’s enthusiasm about U.S. Bank. The new stadium looks amazing and will have tons of cool amenities, giant scoreboards, a roof that can withstand anything nature cares to throw at it, even a special platform for the Gjallarhorn. Fans who care nothing about tailgating should love it.

Fans who consider tailgating an integral part of the overall game day experience? We’ll get back to you.