The Vikings drew about 63,000 fans in total for their first year of camp at the new facilitygetty images
The Vikings' first training camp at their new HQ in Eagan, Minn. concluded Thursday, and most reactions so far indicate fans "appear to be happy with the change, or are at least willing" to give the arrangement time to play out, according to Ben Goessling of the Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE. The Vikings said that they have "heard largely positive reviews." Vikings VP/Strategic & Corporate Communications Jeff Anderson said that the team "emailed daily surveys to fans who attended camp." He said feedback "consistently reached scores of 8 or higher out of 10." Anderson said that the Vikings had "three goals: to host training camp in a way that did not impede the football team's ability to get ready for the season, provide a 'tremendous fan experience' and minimize impact on residents and businesses" neighboring the facility. Anderson: "We can confidently say we achieved those goals." Goessling noted the Eagan facility "won plaudits" from fans for its "ease of access and the additional activities it offered beyond just watching practice." Many fans "mentioned fewer opportunities to interact with players," so the Vikings "designated one day in camp for each position group to sign autographs -- as they did" at their previous training camps in Mankato. The team also "brought a number of children onto the field each day for autographs through its kids' club." Anderson said that the Vikings "drew about 63,000 fans for their first year of training camp in Eagan -- which was similar to the team's approximate attendance figures in recent years in Mankato" (STARTRIBUNE.com, 8/20).
CHANGING TIMES: In Minneapolis, Nicole Norfleet noted Vikings fans "made the switch to digital tickets without any apparent glitches" on Saturday for their preseason game against the Jaguars. The Vikings are "one of six NFL teams to take only digital tickets via fans' smartphones this year, but the rest of the league is expected to switch to all-digital" in '19. For Saturday's game, fans appeared to be entering U.S. Bank Stadium "easily, with some stopping outside of security to download their tickets" (STARTRIBUNE.com, 8/18).
