The good news is that, unlike the last stadium in Minnesota, the roof hasn’t collapsed. Yet.
Via Eliot Hughes of the Minnesota Star Tribune, a “sizable swath” of the roof at U.S. Bank Stadium must be replaced, due to damage from a hail storm. The storm, which happened in August 2023, included hail as large as 2.5 inches in diameter.
Although the report isn’t entirely clear on this point, it appears that the entire translucent portion (which makes up 60 percent of the full roof) will be removed and replaced.
Said the Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority in a statement: “All Minnesotans can be confident that the roof at U.S. Bank Stadium is safe, that proactive steps are in place to preserve its unique environment, and the MSFA’s financial safeguards have protected this public investment.”
Insurance is expected to cover most of the costs. The MSFA said that “substantial use of public funds” would not be needed.
U.S. Bank Stadium opened in 2016. The Metrodome housed the Vikings from 1982 through 2013.
