Metropolitan Stadium
The frozen grass home of the Vikings' founding glory days before the Dome.
Metropolitan Stadium, affectionately known as 'The Met,' served as the original home of the Minnesota Vikings from their inaugural season in 1961 until the end of the 1981 campaign. Located in Bloomington, just outside Minneapolis, this open-air facility was a cornerstone of professional sports in the Midwest for two decades. It was not merely a football venue but a shared landmark that also hosted the Minnesota Twins baseball team.
- Location
- Bloomington, Minnesota
- Years Active
- 1961–1981
- Surface
- Natural Grass
- Status
- Demolished (1985)
- Shared Tenant
- Minnesota Twins
Lore & Background
The stadium was a true community gathering place where generations of families learned their team colors. The concrete bleachers offered an unobstructed view of the gridiron, creating an intimacy lost in later larger venues. When the Vikings moved indoors for the 1982 season, it marked the end of an era where weather was an active participant in every contest. The demolition of the site in 1985 sealed its legacy as a monument to the franchise's humble beginnings.
In Their Own Story
The wind howled through the open stands on a crisp November afternoon in 1974. Breath plumed from fans bundled in wool coats as they watched Fran Tarkenton scan the defense. Mud kicked up from the grass under cleats, marking the path of Chuck Foreman's run. There was no roof to block the gray sky, only the roar of fifty thousand voices echoing off concrete walls. It was a perfect, freezing Sunday at The Met.
Reader's Guide
Metropolitan Stadium featured concrete bleachers rising steeply from the field, encircled by a running track that separated fans from the action. The natural grass surface often turned to mud during late-season games in Minnesota's brutal winters. Tailgating culture thrived in the vast parking lots surrounding the structure, where fans braved sub-zero temperatures with grills and heaters. Inside, the atmosphere was intimate compared to later domes. Fans stood close to the sidelines, shouting encouragement directly at players like Fran Tarkenton. The iconic "Skol" chant echoed off the open-air stands, uniting supporters against the biting wind. Local identity shaped every game; Vikings football became synonymous with resilience in cold weather conditions. Unique rituals included waving purple and gold flags during halftime shows. Security was minimal by modern standards, allowing a closer connection between community and team. This era defined the Viking spirit before enclosed stadiums changed the fan experience forever. The Met remains a nostalgic symbol of authentic outdoor American football history for generations of fans who remember the cold air games.
Did You Know?
- The Minnesota Twins baseball team shared the stadium with the Vikings from 1961 to 1981.
- The facility was demolished in 1985, shortly after the team moved indoors.
- It hosted the franchise's first-ever regular season game on September 17, 1961.
- The stadium featured a distinct open-air design before the Metrodome era began.