And you thought getting tickets was the hard part. It was. We know all too well. But dealing with U.S. Bank Stadium and transportation issues presents whole other challenges.
Your guide to seeing Taylor Swift's Eras Tour at U.S. Bank Stadium this weekend
From parking and purses to showtimes and souvenirs, we've got your back in terms of logistics.
June 20, 2023 at 10:00AM
So let's make it easy on you with these tips.
Purses and bags. Like all NFL stadiums, U.S. Bank Stadium has a strict policy about carry-ins. No large bags or backpacks. As for purses, they must be no larger than 4.5 by 6.5 inches (with or without a strap/handle). Also permitted are bags that are clear plastic, vinyl or PVC and do not exceed 12 by 6 by 12 inches. Or go low-budget with a one-gallon clear plastic freezer bag. Medical necessity bags are allowed on a case-by-case basis.
Parking. There are plenty of lots and ramps in downtown Minneapolis. However, many are a good hike from U.S. Bank Stadium. Maybe take a pedicab from those spots. Parking prices vary widely, from $6 to more than $50 as you get closer to the stadium. Keep in mind that there will be massive traffic jams/delays after the concert. Because the concert typically ends around 11:20, figure on a late night. Pack snacks and drinks for the long ride home. And pillows for the kids even if they're totally wired after Taylor.
Light rail. Metro Transit now is planning to add extra light rail trains and/or bus service on Friday and Saturday nights. The concert is expected to end at 11:20-ish.
Ride-share. Getting dropped off at the Vikings stadium should be relatively easy because not all 50,000-plus people will arrive at the same time. But after the concert? Your best bet is to walk downtown to an address/intersection away from the stadium and avoid 6th Street, which will seem like a not-too-swift parking lot post-Taylor.
Cameras. Nonprofessional still-photo cameras with an attached lens are permitted. So are cellphones. (You can bring a small portable charger.) Binoculars are OK, too, but there will be giant live-video screens.
Getting into the stadium. Your ticket will suggest a gate. So before you arrive, locate the gate on a stadium map. For instance, the Legacy Gate is the largest one, by the giant doors on the west end of the stadium. Because the gates are named for corporate partners instead of with letters or numbers, there is no logic to their order. Also, arrive early because you will be screened at a security checkpoint.
Food. U.S. Bank Stadium is cashless, so you'll need credit or debit cards. Concession stands will be open during the shows. Aramark has ordered 400 cases of chicken tenders, 40,000 concert souvenir cups and 92,000 bottles of water, among other items. By the way, no metal water containers are allowed.
Buy buy buy. A merchandise booth will be set up outside U.S. Bank Stadium beginning on Thursday, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. It will offer essentially the same souvenirs that are available at the concert, but you don't need a ticket to buy a Tay Tay tee outside the stadium. The same merch — and a whole lot more — is for sale at store.taylorswift.com, but you don't get instant gratification. On Friday and Saturday, the outside-the-stadium merch shop opens at noon and will be open after the shows. Pro tip: Buy merch before Taylor hits the stage; supplies may dwindle by the end of the concert.
On time. There are two opening acts starting at 6:30 p.m. Taylor typically hits the stage at 7:55-ish. And she plays until 11:20 or so. Yep, three hours-plus. It's been five years since she's toured, and she has a lot of songs to sing.
Critics’ picks for entertainment in the week ahead.
