The Minnesota Vikings are one of the most popular NFL franchises, with a passionate and dedicated fanbase. Many fans dream of becoming Vikings season ticket holders and attending every home game at U.S. Bank Stadium. However, the demand for Vikings season tickets is incredibly high and supply is limited. This leads to a common question – is there a waitlist for Vikings season tickets?
The short answer is yes, there is currently a waitlist for new Minnesota Vikings season tickets. The wait time can vary based on the type of seats requested and availability. The Vikings waitlist procedure and estimated wait times are outlined below.
Vikings Season Ticket Waitlist Procedure
Fans interested in joining the Minnesota Vikings season ticket waitlist must put down a per-seat deposit. This deposit amount is $100 per regular stadium seat, $500 for club level seats, and $1,000 for suites. This deposit serves as a placeholder, allowing fans to be added to the waitlist. It is eventually put towards the cost of season tickets once they become available.
Joining the waitlist only requires this deposit and completion of a short online request form. The Vikings ticket office will then follow up with more info and the deposit payment request. Waitlist members can choose to remove themselves and get a deposit refund at any time.
The Vikings ticket office manages the waitlist internally, contacting members in order as spots become available. Length of time on the waitlist is the main priority, but other factors like location preferences and number of seats requested may also be considered when matching open spots.
Estimated Wait Times
According to the Vikings ticket office, current estimated wait times as of October 2023 are:
Seat Type | Estimated Wait |
---|---|
Regular Stadium Seats | 10+ years |
Club Seats | 2-3 years |
Suites | 4-5 years |
As you can see, the waitlist is quite long, especially for regular lower and upper level seating. The waitlist has continued to grow as the Vikings have sold out every home game since 1998. They have over 64,000 people on the current waitlist as of October 2023.
Premium club seats and suites have shorter estimated waits due to their much higher costs. Still, patience of a few years is required to become available. There are also personal seat licenses and annual costs that must be paid once off the waitlist.
Tips for Reducing Your Wait
Here are some tips for fans hoping to minimize their time spent on the Vikings season ticket waitlist:
Be Flexible on Seat Location
Opting for a wider range of seat locations, or selecting “Best Available” when joining the waitlist can significantly reduce wait times. The most in-demand seats are lower level near midfield. Being open to different areas of the stadium opens up more possibilities.
Request a Smaller Number of Seats
Single seats or pairs of seats tend to open up much more frequently than large blocks. Though it may be ideal to sit in a big group, reducing your group size can help move up the waitlist. Once off the waitlist, additional nearby seats can sometimes be requested.
Add Yourself to the Premium Waitlists
Even if the higher costs of premium seats may be prohibitive, joining the club level and suite waitlists covers all bases. If selected off those waitlists, the option to decline and defer to the regular seat waitlist is available.
Check for Openings Annually
Current waitlist members are encouraged to check in with the ticket office once a year to confirm their status. List positions can change over time, and confirmation ensures you don’t miss notification of an opening.
Purchasing from Existing Season Ticket Holders
In addition to the official team waitlist, seats also become available when existing season ticket holders opt not to renew or need to sell their seats. There are a few options for obtaining Vikings tickets this way:
Vikings Ticket Exchange
The Vikings Ticket Exchange is an online marketplace featuring seats being sold by current season ticket holders. The Vikings manage the exchange, which is the safest way to purchase from other fans. Availability varies throughout the year.
Third-Party Ticket Marketplaces
Sites like StubHub and Vivid Seats also list Vikings season tickets and individual games for sale from other fans. This tends to be pricier than face value but allows you to view exact seat locations.
Know a Season Ticket Holder
Having a friend or family member who are existing Vikings season ticket holders can provide the first opportunity to purchase some or all of their seats if they opt not to renew.
When Will New Season Tickets Open Up Again?
The Vikings currently have a season ticket base of around 64,000 seats, with very little turnover year-to-year. They have sold out every home game since 1998, a streak of over 150 straight games. As such, the number of new season tickets available is extremely limited each year.
The last major opening for new Vikings season ticket holders was after the 2016 season, when thousands of names were pulled off the waitlist following the opening of U.S. Bank Stadium. Prior to that, a significant number of new tickets were made available around the year 2000, after eight straight losing seasons for the team.
Based on history, it typically takes a major event – like a new stadium or extended team struggles – to free up a large batch of season tickets again. Barring something like that occurring, new tickets may slowly trickle out over the next decade or more. But those on the waitlist must remain patient and be ready to purchase when contacted.
The Vikings’ consistent competitiveness under coach Mike Zimmer’s leadership has maintained huge demand. Until Zimmer starts to slip or a new stadium comes into play, big waitlist movement is unlikely. Check back annually on your status, and consider less desirable seats to get your foot in the door. With persistence, you can hopefully turn the dream of Vikings season tickets into a reality.
Conclusion
In summary, there is currently a long waitlist for new Minnesota Vikings season tickets. The estimated wait is 10+ years for regular stadium seats, 2-3 years for club level, and 4-5 years for suites. Fans must put down a refundable deposit to join the list and be patient for availability. Flexibility on seat location and number of seats can reduce wait times. Existing holders may also sell their seats, which are available on the Ticket Exchange site or secondary marketplaces. But outside of a new stadium or extended team struggles, major waitlist movement is not expected anytime soon. Persistence and patience is the key to someday transitioning from the waitlist to the stands at U.S. Bank Stadium.