Vikings execs are "building a technological marvel of programming that aims to thrill ticket holders" at the team's new stadium, with a focus on "the concept of connectivity -- to the Vikings’ brand, the players, each other," according to Rochelle Olson of the Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE. An official team app will "provide traffic conditions, parking availability and directions to the least-congested stadium entrances." Then, as the fan’s "feet hit the plaza, the pregame warm-up will end and a splashy gameday experience will begin." Vikings execs are working on "social media engagement, charging-station locations, concessions options and programming aimed at beguiling fans." The Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority on Friday "approved an additional team contribution" of $14M, nearly all of which "will go to add 1,200 screens at the stadium to the original 800." Providing unique in-house content "will be a huge stable of high-tech cameras able to capture any angle on the field and zoom into a player’s toes or a blade of grass." Vikings New Stadium Partnerships Dir John Penhollow said that one lesson learned from the 49ers’ first year at Levi's Stadium is that fans "want more than replays, and they want to know more about the players and the plays." Penhollow said that the facility "will have enough Wi-Fi capacity to accommodate all 65,000 fans on their devices at one time, although the expectation is that actual use will hover at about half of the crowd." Olson noted the team "isn't ready to go to e-tickets yet, although they would allow more personalization, including seat upgrades for dedicated fans." Smartphones will also "help the team track fan movement so adjustments can be made" (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 5/17).
