As the Minnesota Vikings prepare to host the New York Giants in the NFC Wildcard matchup at 3:40 p.m. this Sunday, January 15, the team is planning several opportunities for fans to celebrate the playoff weekend. Given the high demand for this game, the Vikings encourage fans to purchase tickets directly through the Vikings website or Ticketmaster.com and to be aware of potential ticket fraud and requests to pay for tickets through other online payment services. The Vikings do not utilize PDF or printed paper tickets; if someone offers either, it is a scam.
The following fan elements will be seen throughout the Vikings Wild Card Playoff Weekend presented by Mystic Lakes:
Purple Friday Fan Rally
The Vikings will host a fan rally at Mall of America® in the Rotunda on Friday, January 13, from 5-7 p.m. The fan rally kicks off the Wild Card weekend with appearances from Minnesota Vikings Cheerleaders, the SKOL line and Vikings Legends. The event will also include the Fox 9 Vikings Live: Wild Card Week Special from 6:30-7 p.m.
Twin Cities Vikings Lights
Beginning tonight, buildings and landmarks throughout the Minneapolis-St. Paul area will be lit in purple in support of the Vikings playoff run. See the current list of locations that will be participating below:
35W Bridge: St. Anthony Falls Bridge, Minneapolis, MN 55403
Minneapolis Convention Center: 1301 2nd Ave. S, Minneapolis, MN 55403
IDS Center: 80 S 8th Street, Minneapolis, MN 55402
Capella Tower: 225 South 6th Street, Minneapolis, MN 55402
Target: 1000 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, MN 55403
Lowry Ave Bridge: 953 County Rd 153, Minneapolis, MN 55411
Sperry Tower: 1001 3rd Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55404
Polaris: 2100 Hwy 55, Medina, MN 55340
Cambria: 11000 78th Street West, Eden Prairie, MN 55344
Xcel: 2840 Oakland Ave. S Minneapolis, MN 55407, 2720 Minnehaha Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55406
Loffler: 3745 Louisiana Ave S, St. Louis Park, MN 55426
Pepsi: 1300 Cliff Rd E, Burnsville, MN 55337
Sleep Number: 1001 3rd Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55404
Omni Vikings Lakes Hotel: 2611 Nordic Way, Eagan, MN 55121
Full Stadium Giveaway
As the presenting partner of Sunday’s game and the 2023 Vikings playoff run, Mystic Lake will distribute rally towels to the more than 67,000 fans inside U.S. Bank Stadium. The towels will include a QR code where fans can enter to win Vikings prizes, including 2023 season tickets.
National Anthem
American singer, songwriter, and musician from Harlan, Kentucky, Jordan Smith, will perform the National Anthem prior to kickoff. Smith gained national recognition when he won season nine of the singing competition, The Voice. During his time on The Voice, he was the show’s first artist of the season to reach number one in sales in pop songs in the iTunes Store and set new sales marks on Billboard charts.
Halftime
Three-time Grammy Award-winning rapper and actor Ludacris will perform at halftime. The Atlanta native is known for his southern rap style and made his mainstream breakthrough in 2000 following his second album, Back for the First Time. His first five albums all achieved multi-platinum status. Ludacris has received 20 Grammy Award nominations and has won three: “Best Rap/Song Collaboration” for the song “Yeah!” in 2005, and both “Best Rap Song” for “Money Maker” and “Best Rap Album” for the album Release Therapy in 2007. Ludacris also came onto the acting scene, starring as Tej Parker in the ‘Fast and Furious’ movie franchise. In 2023, Ludacris will tour with Janet Jackson, including a performance at the Xcel Energy Center.
U.S. Bank Hometown Hero
Army veteran and Minnesota native Robert Holstrom is this week’s U.S. Bank Hometown Hero. Holstrom served in the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) during WWII and flew secret missions over Europe dropping spies, supplies and propaganda to resistance fighters. Holstrom is the last living member of his flight crew and was awarded a Congressional Gold Medal in 2018 for his efforts.
Gjallarhorn and TCO Legend Connections
The Gjallarhorn guest and the TCO Legends Connections for this week will both be surprises on gameday.
(info and photo courtesy of Vikings)
