New year, new digs for Vikings training camp

As the Vikings prepare to move their training camp from Mankato to a new facility in Eagan, team leaders all say there are changes to be made off the field as well.

“The excitement is just incredible,” Vikings special events manager C.J. Rugh said.

The biggest change will be camp ticketing. Gone are the days of walking into Vikings training camp on the day of an event--the way it has been done in the past. 

The team is switching to digital tickets that can only be reserved in advance. Space is limited to only 5,000 fans for each of the 18 days of training camp. 

4,000 of those tickets available are free and the other 1,000 are reserved seating available for purchase on Vikings.com. Season ticket holders can get those tickets beginning on July 21 and the public can begin reserving tickets on July 25. 

“We have a segment of fans that don’t get to go to games,” Rugh said. “We’ve built a plan that we think really highlights some of the things that you’ll see at U.S. Bank Stadium, but at an up close and more personal view.” 

Fan favorites from Mankato will continue at TCO Performance Center, like the team’s annual night practice that will be on Aug. 4. 

Everything for Vikings training camp will be held on-site in Eagan. The team is creating 2,200 spots for parking. Those parking passes can be purchased for $10 when reserving tickets online. The full on-site experience will also include a Vikings museum, a team store and a kids zone.

And while this new Vikings venture is exciting, team officials say fans’ patience is appreciated in advance.

“There’s always going to be growing pains,” Vikings C.O.O. Kevin Warren said. “We’ve been in Mankato for 52 years.”

“We’ve never done this here before, so you don’t know what you don’t know,” Rugh added. “As we find things out hopefully it gets streamlined and better.” 

Vikings training camp begins on July 25 when rookies report. The entire team will arrive in Eagan starting on July 27.