Huntington Bank Stadium

Huntington Bank Stadium is an outdoor football stadium located on the campus of the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis. Serving as the home field for the Minnesota Golden Gophers football team, the facility opened in 2009 and is noted for its traditional collegiate design and bowl configuration. The venue has also hosted professional teams, including the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League and Minnesota United FC of Major League Soccer.

History

The stadium's construction was championed by university leaders, including then-president Robert Bruininks and athletic director Joel Maturi, to return Golden Gophers football to campus after 27 seasons at the Metrodome. Groundbreaking occurred in 2006 following approval by the Minnesota Legislature and the University of Minnesota Board of Regents. Designed by the architectural firm Populous, the stadium opened on September 12, 2009, with a game against the Air Force Falcons. Originally named TCF Bank Stadium for TCF Financial Corporation, the naming rights were acquired by Huntington National Bank in 2021 following Huntington's merger with TCF Bank. The stadium temporarily served as the home for the Minnesota Vikings during the construction of U.S. Bank Stadium after the Metrodome roof collapse.

Facilities and features

The horseshoe-shaped bowl design maximizes sightlines and incorporates Minnesota-themed elements, including a facade of Kasota stone and decorative gopher motifs. The playing surface is a synthetic FieldTurf system, and the stadium includes over 40 luxury suites and 1,500 club seats. A large, high-definition video board is positioned above the north end zone, and the facility is equipped with an advanced Daktronics scoring system. The stadium complex also includes the adjacent Larson Hall for athletics administration and the Gibson-Nagurski Football Complex. Sustainability features were integrated by engineers Walter P Moore, and concessions are managed by Aramark.

Events

Primarily hosting Minnesota Golden Gophers football games within the Big Ten Conference, the stadium has also been a site for major concerts, including performances by Kenny Chesney, Luke Bryan, and Billy Joel. It served as a home for Minnesota United FC during their transition to Allianz Field and hosted matches for the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup. The venue was the site of the 2014 NHL Stadium Series game between the Minnesota Wild and the Chicago Blackhawks. It regularly hosts the Minnesota state high school football championships and has been used for university commencements and large-scale events like Welcome Week celebrations.

Transportation and access

The stadium is served by multiple public transit options, including the METRO Green Line light rail, with a station at the adjacent University of Minnesota campus. Several Metro Transit bus routes provide direct service on game days, and the facility is accessible from major highways like Interstate 35W and Interstate 94. Extensive bicycle parking is available, coordinated with the Nice Ride Minnesota bike-share program. Parking is managed through university lots and nearby facilities like the Oak Street Ramp, with shuttle services from remote locations such as the State Fairgrounds.

In popular culture

The stadium has appeared in several films and television series, notably serving as a filming location for scenes in the ESPN series *The Last Dance* and the football movie *The Last Champion*. It was featured in the History Channel documentary *The College Football Playoff* and in broadcasts by Fox Sports, CBS Sports, and the Big Ten Network. The venue's distinct architecture has been used in promotional material for the City of Minneapolis and was highlighted during the 2018 Super Bowl festivities held in the city.