Prepare for traffic, parking challenges ahead of several Thursday events

Pack your patience if you’re traveling around the Twin Cities Thursday. Along with the Minnesota State Fair, there are several sporting events happening in Minneapolis and St. Paul.

  • Vikings host their final preseason game against the L.A. Rams at U.S. Bank Stadium at 7 p.m.
  • Twins host the Chicago White Sox at Target Field at 7:10 p.m.
  • St. Paul Saints have a home game at CHS field at 7:05 p.m.
  • Gophers football team opens their season by hosting Oregon State at TCF Bank Stadium at 8 p.m.
  • U of M Minneapolis campus park and ride to the State Fair will be unavailable on Thursday

The following is a rough estimate of expected turnout at each event:

  • 120,000 people at State Fair
  • 7,500 people at St. Paul Saints game
  • 61,000 people at Vikings preseason game
  • 25,000 people at Minnesota Twins game
  • 45,000 people at Minnesota Gophers football opener