A bigger, fancier version of the ship parked outside the Minnesota Vikings’ practice headquarters in Eden Prairie will be featured in front of U.S. Bank Stadium when it opens next summer.
The Vikings are calling it a “Legacy Ship,” and it won’t cost taxpayers a dime because it’s being privately paid for.
The team and Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority say the ship “will transform the typical stadium marquee video board into a sculptural landmark that will serve as the anchor to west side of the stadium.”
The 160-foot ship’s 55-foot-high sail will be a 2,000-square-foot curved video screen while the bow feature the head of a dragon with Vikings horns and light-up purple eyes.
“The Viking ship located outside the team’s Winter Park training facility has always been a favorite stop for visiting Vikings fans,” said Vikings Owner/President Mark Wilf in a statement. “We wanted to recreate the feature in a significantly enhanced way at U.S. Bank Stadium in order to give Vikings fans a new game day ritual and a perfect welcome to their unprecedented game experience.”
The ship will allow for fans to come aboard and watch highlights from the game happening inside the stadium.
Fans can become a part of the ship by ordering Legacy Bricks, much like they were allowed to do with bricks inside the stadium. These bricks will be displayed on the ship’s deck. Bricks vary in size and cost $160, $295 or $360.
