The Minnesota Vikings aim to bring a touch of home advantage to Ford Field in their decisive season finale against the Detroit Lions.
On Sunday night, the two teams will clash in the NFL’s final regular-season game, where the winner will claim the NFC North title, while the loser will enter the playoffs as the first-ever 14-win wild card.
To gain an edge, the Vikings took an unexpected step by purchasing a large quantity of tickets to reduce the Lions’ home-field advantage.
Lions Report Vikings’ Ticket Purchases to NFL
Albert Breer of SI.com revealed on January 4 that the Vikings acquired tickets from the secondary market, later reselling them to their season ticket holders at a reduced rate.
“In preparation for Sunday night’s showdown with the Lions, the Vikings bought approximately 1,900 tickets on the secondary market at around $1,000 each, totaling nearly $2 million,” Breer stated. “The organization then emailed season ticket holders, offering them the tickets at a significantly lower price, with some available for as little as $200.”
The Lions reached out to the NFL regarding the Vikings’ ticket-buying spree, but the league confirmed the tactic did not violate any rules.
Breer noted the Vikings strategically targeted seats directly behind the visitor’s bench.
“The tickets purchased by the Vikings are concentrated behind the visiting team’s bench at Ford Field, limiting the presence of home fans and potentially improving sideline communication,” Breer explained.
Lions Approach Final Objective
The Lions have broken several team and league records this season but require one more victory to secure back-to-back NFC North titles. Head coach Dan Campbell emphasized the team’s season-long commitment to reaching this point.
“You set goals to give yourself the best chance, and that’s why we laid them out,” Campbell said, per NBC Sports. “This is something we’ve aimed for and envisioned for a while. Winning the division and clinching the top seed is within reach.”
Campbell stressed the significance of the game and the team’s focus.
“Our mindset is completely locked on this matchup. It’s all about this game and figuring out how to win, just like we did last time,” Campbell remarked. “San Francisco pushed us, and we had to dig deep. The week before, we found a way in Chicago. Now, it’s about the next game, and we need to win—no matter how it looks.”
