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Washington Commanders at Minnesota Vikings: Week 16 Game Guide (2026)

Washington Commanders at Minnesota Vikings is Minnesota's home game for Week 16 of the 2026 season on Saturday, December 26, 2026 at 9:00 PM PT at U.S. Bank Stadium. Current status: upcoming. This page keeps the confirmed game facts and any maintained preview or recap together at the same URL.

Game facts

Confirmed details for Washington Commanders at Minnesota Vikings. NFL scheduling details can change; this page omits unverified broadcast and game-day information.

Matchup
Washington Commanders at Minnesota Vikings
Season and week
2026 · Week 16
Date
Pacific kickoff
Venue
U.S. Bank Stadium
Home/away
Minnesota home game
Game status
Scheduled

View the full Vikings schedule

Where to Watch

Kickoff
9:00 PM PT
National broadcast
TBD

Last updated

Game Day Guide

Last updated

For this Vikings home game against Washington at U.S. Bank Stadium, the most useful plan is to treat it like a standard Vikings Saturday: use the Vikings app for digital tickets, check the gate listed on your ticket, and build in extra time if you want the pregame setup rather than a rushed entry. Stadium guidance says fans should arrive 45 minutes before kickoff to be in their seats for Showtime, and guests who need ADA assistance should plan to arrive one hour early. Transit is straightforward, with the Blue and Green lines stopping right outside the stadium and a dedicated skyway route also available. On the viewing side, local TV for this matchup is not yet published in the team schedule, so home-market fans should treat team radio/audio as the only confirmed current broadcast reference for now. View Game Day GuideHide Game Day Guide

For this Vikings home game against Washington at U.S. Bank Stadium, the most useful plan is to treat it like a standard Vikings Saturday: use the Vikings app for digital tickets, check the gate listed on your ticket, and build in extra time if you want the pregame setup rather than a rushed entry. Stadium guidance says fans should arrive 45 minutes before kickoff to be in their seats for Showtime, and guests who need ADA assistance should plan to arrive one hour early. Transit is straightforward, with the Blue and Green lines stopping right outside the stadium and a dedicated skyway route also available. On the viewing side, local TV for this matchup is not yet published in the team schedule, so home-market fans should treat team radio/audio as the only confirmed current broadcast reference for now.

Important Alerts

  • Info

    General guidance: Kickoff and local TV are still not final in public team materials

    The Vikings schedule page still lists Washington in Week 16 as TBD, so the public team schedule has not yet locked in the final kickoff and local TV/network details for this game.

    Source

  • Info

    General guidance: Digital tickets only

    Vikings tickets are digital and available online only, so fans should have the Vikings app ready before leaving for the stadium.

    Source

  • Info

    General guidance: No game-day bag policy exception for oversized bags

    Bags are searched at entry and only the approved clear bags or small clutch are allowed; bags that do not fit the policy can be checked during Vikings games.

    Source

Getting There

  • METRO Blue and Green lines

    Best fit for fans who want the simplest downtown arrival without stadium parking.

    Metro Transit says both light-rail lines stop at U.S. Bank Stadium Station, right outside the venue. Use the station for direct stadium access and plan your return trip around postgame crowds.

    Transportation details

  • Metro Transit buses and trip planning

    Useful if you are connecting from another neighborhood or suburb by bus.

    Metro Transit lists routes 5, 14, 22, C Line, D Line, 7, 9, Orange Line and 3 as serving the stadium area. The agency also points riders to its Trip Planner and customer help line at 612-373-3333.

    Transportation details

  • Dedicated skyway route

    Good for fans coming from downtown parking ramps or nearby hotels who want to stay indoors longer.

    The Vikings recommend the dedicated skyway route, with access via parking ramps along that route. The team also says Metro Transit operates bus service for all games.

    Transportation details

  • Mystic Lake Game Day Park and Ride

    Worth considering if you want a prearranged round-trip game ride instead of parking downtown.

    The Vikings promote a recurring Mystic Lake Game Day Park and Ride option with limited seats. It is a standing transportation option, not a matchup-specific special.

    Transportation details

Parking

  • Official pre-paid parking through ParkWhiz

    The Vikings identify ParkWhiz as the official parking partner, and single-game pre-paid parking is available online for home games.

    Parking details

  • Published lot and ramp options

    The team lists premium permit lots and ramps including the 511 Surface Lot, 511 Ramp, 1010 Ramp, Downtown East Ramp, HCMC Ramp and Stadium Parking Garage.

    Parking details

  • Game-day parking window

    Lots and ramps open 6 hours before the game, but not before 7 a.m., and close 3 hours after the game or midnight, whichever comes first.

    Parking details

  • Accessible parking and drop-off

    Accessible parking is available in surrounding lots and ramps, with staff directing fans who need ADA spaces. The team also lists charter bus parking and ride-share/shuttle drop-off and pickup zones near the stadium.

    Parking details

Game Day Timeline

  1. Typical: Usual

    Tailgating opens in designated areas

    The stadium’s game-day pages treat tailgating as part of the standard Vikings home-game experience. For weekend games, tailgating opens five hours before kickoff and runs through the postgame window published by the venue.

  2. Typical: Three hours before kickoff

    SPAM Tailgate at The Commons and Medtronic Plaza open

    The Vikings’ recurring pregame areas open three hours before kickoff and typically include food, drinks, entertainment, sponsor activity and merchandise options.

  3. Typical: 45 minutes before kickoff

    Recommended arrival for seats

    The stadium says fans should be in their seats 45 minutes before kickoff to catch Showtime.

  4. Typical: One hour before kickoff

    ADA assistance arrival window

    Guests needing ADA assistance are advised to arrive one hour before kickoff. The stadium also notes will-call pickup begins one hour before the event unless otherwise noted.

Tailgates & Pregame

  • Official Vikings Event

    Recurring option: SPAM Tailgate at The Commons

    Location: The Commons, U.S. Bank Stadium district

    Starts: Three hours before kickoff

    The Vikings describe this as the premier tailgate location, with food trucks, games, corn hole, football barrel toss, fan contests, inflatables, photo ops, Chuck for Charity, DJ A-Quil, and appearances by the Skol Line and Minnesota Vikings Cheerleaders.

    Event details

  • Official Vikings Event

    Recurring option: Authorized stadium tailgating

    Location: Designated lots and ramps around U.S. Bank Stadium

    Starts: Usual game-day opening window

    The stadium treats authorized tailgating as a normal part of Vikings home games in designated parking areas only. Season tailgating passes are sold by email or phone; single-game tailgating passes are not available.

    Event details

  • Official Vikings Event

    Recurring option: Medtronic Plaza pregame space

    Location: Medtronic Plaza, U.S. Bank Stadium district

    Starts: Three hours before kickoff

    A recurring pregame gathering area with live entertainment at the Sound the North Stage, drinks in the Pendleton Whiskey Longhouse, sponsor tents, photo opportunities, activity booths and a merchandise trailer.

    Event details

Watch Parties

  • Viewing option: Tom's Watch Bar Minneapolis

    Location: 609 Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis

    Starts: Sunday 11 a.m.–midnight, usual hours

    A downtown sports bar built for game viewing, with oversized 360-degree screens, broadcast audio and an NFL-friendly setup. The venue says it is a go-to spot for Vikings fans.

    Specials
    • Fan Club offers watch-party swag, giveaways and VIP event invites.
    Event details

  • Viewing option: Brit's Pub

    Location: 1110 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis

    Starts: 10:00 a.m. on Sundays, usual hours

    A practical game-watching option with a published sports calendar that shows Vikings games and live football with sound on featured live games.

    Event details

Stadium Tips

  • Use the Vikings app for tickets and alerts

    The stadium says fans should use the Vikings app for digital tickets and stadium alerts. Bring the phone ready to open tickets before you reach the gate.

    Official information

  • Know the bag rule before you leave

    Allowed bags are limited to a clear bag up to 12 x 6 x 12 inches, a one-gallon clear freezer bag, or a small clutch up to 4.5 x 6.5 inches. Medically necessary items are allowed after inspection.

    Official information

  • Match your gate to your ticket

    The stadium advises guests to check the gate listed on the ticket for the closest entry point. That is the best way to avoid unnecessary backtracking around the building.

    Official information

  • Plan for accessibility support early

    The venue lists accessible parking, drop-off areas, power-assisted doors, restrooms, concessions, water fountains, ATMs, seating areas and assistive listening devices. ADA assistance should arrive one hour early.

    Official information

  • Kids under 2 have a specific admission rule

    For Vikings games, a child under 2 and under 36 inches tall may enter free with one ticketed adult, must wear a wristband and sit on the adult’s lap.

    Official information

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