Vikings Invest Heavily in Away Game Seats to Back Team at Ford Field
As the Minnesota Vikings ready themselves for a high-stakes showdown against the Detroit Lions, the team has made an unprecedented investment to ensure a strong presence of their fans at Ford Field this Sunday night. With the NFC North title and a potential No. 1 seed hanging in the balance, this game carries significant weight for both teams. Fully aware of the importance, the Vikings organization has purchased a remarkable number of additional tickets to bolster their on-the-road support.
Vikings Secure Additional Tickets
In a move rarely seen in NFL matchups, the Minnesota Vikings went beyond the typical allocation of 600 seats for visiting teams. They acquired approximately 1,900 more tickets from the secondary market, bringing their total to cover about 3.8% of the 65,000-capacity stadium. This substantial acquisition of tickets demonstrates the Vikings' commitment to maintaining an enthusiastic cheering section as they contest for a crucial victory.
Investing nearly $2 million, the Vikings effectively paid around $1,000 each for these additional tickets. Such an expense underscores the perceived importance of fan support in what could be a crucial factor in the outcome of the game. “Given the uniqueness of this game, we wanted to offer our stakeholders -- staff, family, season ticket members and team partners -- an opportunity to attend,” commented Jeff Anderson, the team spokesman.
A Strategic Move for Fan Support
To ensure robust support from the stands, the Vikings cleverly positioned many of these tickets behind the visitor's bench. This strategic seating plan aims to maximize the impact of Vikings fans' presence, providing their team with a tangible morale boost during what promises to be an electrifying contest for supremacy in the NFC North.
The importance of fan support for this match stems from the playoff implications attached. With the division title and the top playoff seed up for grabs, the Vikings are leaving no stone unturned in their pursuit of victory. In contrast, the losing team faces the less favorable position of entering the playoffs as the fifth-seed, resulting in an away game during the wild-card round.
Making Attendance Accessible
Recognizing the investment made in acquiring these tickets, the Vikings have endeavored to make attendance more accessible to their loyal community. Season-ticket holders were offered these premium game day passes at significantly reduced prices, with some going for as low as $200. This gesture not only exemplifies the team's gratitude but also ensures that the seats they purchased do not go unfilled.
The outreach succeeded in energizing the Vikings faithful, who eagerly accepted the offer to travel to Detroit and stand by their team in a stadium where the Lions hold the home advantage. A strong turnout of Vikings fans is expected to paint parts of Ford Field in their signature purple, echoing a supportive chorus for their players throughout the game.
NFL Involvement and League Rules
The Lions, aware of the extraordinary measures taken by the Vikings, contacted the league office seeking clarity on the visiting team’s approach. However, the Vikings' actions fall well within NFL regulations, ensuring that their strategies to enhance fan support do not breach any league rules.
As the clash between the Vikings and the Lions draws near, the efforts to amass a larger crowd of Vikings supporters only heightens the anticipation surrounding this pivotal encounter. Both teams enter the match with much at stake, rendering every cheer and rallying cry from the stands as potentially game-defining elements in their quest for playoff positioning.
The Vikings’ commitment to ensuring fervent fan support through considerable financial outlay and strategic planning illustrates their dedication to success on the field. As fans gear up to witness this pivotal battle, the supporting chants from the Vikings' section promise to resonate deeply, underscoring the lengths to which the franchise has gone in its pursuit of victory.