US Bank Stadium - Point of Origin for Coming Decades of Minnesota Sports Entertainment

The Connected Home is looking froward to the opening of the new US Bank Stadium in Downtown Minneapolis. While most of our customers will be seeing the stadium from the comfort of their homes, we hope they all get a chance to visit and enjoy the new stadium in person sometime in the near future.

The newly completed, not quite open US Bank Stadium will be featured in tens of thousands of hours of broadcast and Cable TV over the coming decades.
While tens of thousands will be sure to visit during this weeks open house, non will be allowed to walk on the stadiums artificial turf. Apparently that would be just too much for it to withstand.
But you can get some great insights into the look and feel of the new stadium from a recent twincities.com posting with many very nice photos:

U.S. Bank Stadium: A 360-degree view from the field

The artificial turf on U.S. Bank Stadium’s gridiron looks a lot like grass up close. (Pioneer Press: Julio Ojeda-Zapata)
The artificial turf on U.S. Bank Stadium’s gridiron looks a lot like grass up close. (Pioneer Press: Julio Ojeda-Zapata)

A fish-eye view of the U.S. Bank Stadium bowl, with purple seating in the foreground. (Pioneer Press: Julio Ojeda-Zapata)

Downtown Minneapolis is reflected in U.S. Bank Stadium’s exterior, as viewed through a fish-eye lens. All manner of Vikings-flavored artwork can be found throughout U.S. Bank Stadium. (Pioneer Press: Julio Ojeda-Zapata)

And that entertainment will reach beyond the Vikings…

New Vikings stadium to host X Games in 2017, ’18 | Minnesota Public Radio News

ESPN’s X Games will be held in Minneapolis in 2017 and 2018, with many of the events being held in the Minnesota Vikings’ glittering new stadium, the network announced Wednesday.

“We’re definitely pumped,” X Games vice president Tim Reed said. He cited the “young, vibrant aspect” of Minneapolis and the support of the city and state for the bid. He called the new, $1.1 billion stadium that opens this summer “a beautiful building.”

X Games competitions include skateboarding, BMX and motocross. A flat track for motocross will have to be built elsewhere in Minneapolis, and the games are working with the city to identify a location, Reed said.

Last year, the X Games drew over 100,000 fans and brought in $74 million for Austin, Reed said. Some 250 athletes compete in the four-day event, with an average age of 26 or younger, he said. Athletes are invited to compete in the games.

Minnesota Sports Facilities Chairwoman Michele Kelm-Helgen said the new U.S. Bank Stadium’s transparent roof and giant doors were key selling points to win the games.
Via mprnews.org

In fact the stadium is destined to hold many more events that that…

U.S. Bank Stadium isn’t just for football – StarTribune.com

If you think U.S. Bank Stadium is only for football, think again.

In fact, think 990 times again.

There are more than 1,000 events scheduled at the facility during the first few months, said Michele Kelm-Helgen, chairwoman of the Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority, which oversees the stadium. Ten of those are Vikings games, two preseason.

What are all the others? Everything under the sun — or under the super-high-tech-plastic-that-passes-as-glass roof. The stadium has booked an international soccer game and big-ticket rock concerts that will draw crowds measured in the tens of thousands as well as birthday parties for groups as small as 25.

“We have seven club spaces, as well as the field,” Kelm-Helgen said. “The first three months, the stadium will be used virtually every day — with multiple events happening at the same time.”

The first few events have gotten the most attention, of course.

On July 23 and 24, an open house is expected to draw 100,000 curiosity-seekers enticed by a chance to get their first look at the new digs.

So whether you are a die hard Vikings Fan, or are into any number of other sport and entertainment niches, the New US Bank Stadium offers a sparkling new venue. But you needn’t pay a dime for the pricey games that will be played there by their marquee tenant. You can watch them all from the comfort of your home. And if you used The Connected Home to assist you in setting up your Cable TV Service or Satellite TV system, you can be assured that you have the best service for your needs at the best possible price.