SMG to Manage New Minneapolis Stadium

SMG has been awarded a 10-year contract to market and manage the new Minnesota Vikings football stadium, which is under construction in Minneapolis. As part of the deal, SMG has committed to work with the Minnesota State High School League, colleges and community groups to secure events that were previously held in the former Metrodome.

“SMG facilities have hosted nine Super Bowls over the years. Their experience will be a fantastic asset as we prepare for Super Bowl LII in 2018 and other large-scale events that we are competing to host,” said Michele Kelm-Helgen, chair of the Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority. “SMG represents a number of public agencies like ours and has a proven track record of fiscal success, which will help take advantage of this new venue.”

SMG manages more than 200 facilities worldwide, including four NFL stadiums—Soldier Field in Chicago; the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans; NRG Stadium in Houston; and Everbank Field in Jacksonville, Florida.

In addition, the MSFA announced that its board has approved a $49 million increase to the stadium budget funded by the Vikings to help solve budget challenges for items such as escalators, acoustical treatment and freight elevators. The contribution brings the team’s payments to $526 million while the public contribution remains at $498 million. The total budget for the new stadium is now $1 billion.

The new stadium is expected to open for the 2016 NFL season.