Huntington Bank Stadium: A Legacy of Minnesota Golden Gopher Football
Huntington Bank Stadium, formerly known as TCF Bank Stadium, stands as a testament to the enduring spirit of college football at the University of Minnesota. Located on the Minneapolis campus, this outdoor stadium has become a cherished landmark for Golden Gopher fans, offering a vibrant and exciting atmosphere every fall.
From Humble Beginnings to Modern Marvel
The University of Minnesota football program has a rich history, with previous venues including Northrop Field, Memorial Stadium, and the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome. The push for a new on-campus stadium began in the fall of 2000, driven by the university's desire to enhance revenue and create a more authentic college football experience compared to the off-campus Metrodome.
A joint stadium proposal with the Minnesota Vikings in 2002 failed due to disagreements over design and management. Despite an attempt by T. Denny Sanford to be the lead donor falling through in 2004, the university unveiled preliminary stadium drawings in December 2003 and continued to seek state funding and donations.
Construction and Funding
In 2006, the Minnesota House of Representatives and Senate passed bills to fund the stadium, with the final plan involving contributions from the state and the university. The university's share was $111 million. TCF Financial Corporation contributed $35 million over 25 years for naming rights. The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community (SMSC) donated $10 million, the largest gift Gopher athletics had ever received, leading to the naming of the Tribal Nations Plaza.
Infrastructure work began in June 2006, with a groundbreaking ceremony on September 30, 2006. Construction commenced in July 2007. On June 29, 2021, the stadium was renamed Huntington Bank Stadium after Huntington Bancshares acquired TCF Financial Corporation.
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Design and Features
Huntington Bank Stadium is located on the northeast side of the Minneapolis campus, near the site of the former Memorial Stadium. The stadium is part of a 75-acre expansion of the Twin Cities campus. The Metro Green Line light rail provides convenient access to the stadium via the Stadium Village station.
The stadium boasts a horseshoe-style design, providing a "traditional collegiate look and feel." The field is laid out in an east-west configuration, with the open west end facing the campus, offering views of the University of Minnesota and the Minneapolis skyline. A massive scoreboard, designed by Daktronics, serves as a centerpiece. The Murray Warmath Locker Room honors the Gophers' national championship-winning coach. The names of Minnesota's 87 counties are engraved in stone around the perimeter of the first level, paying tribute to the state's citizens.
The stadium's initial phase includes approximately 50,805 seats, with the design allowing for future expansion up to 80,000 seats. Goldy's Locker Room, the team store, spans two floors in the southwest corner. The T. Denny Sanford Athletics Hall of Fame, opened in 2010, showcases the university's athletic programs through imagery, artifacts, and interactive kiosks.
A Return to Campus and a New Era
The Gopher football program played its first game at Huntington Bank Stadium on September 12, 2009, against the Air Force Academy, winning 20-13. This marked the first on-campus football game since November 21, 1981, the last game in Memorial Stadium. The highest-ranked AP Top 25 team to visit was #2 TCU in 2015.
The 2019 win over Penn State was the first time Minnesota had sold out TCF Bank Stadium since 2015 and was their first win at TCF Bank Stadium against a top 4 ranked opponent. Iowa is 5-3 against Minnesota in rivalry games played at "The Bank", and one of five ranked opponents that the Gophers have defeated in the new facility (#24 Iowa in 2010, #21 Nebraska in 2013, #4 Penn State in 2019, #11 USC in 2024, and #25 Nebraska in 2025).
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Tailgating and Game Day Experience
Huntington Bank Stadium brings as many as 50,000 college football fans to the college's Minneapolis campus every fall. There are a number of surface parking lots surrounding the stadium, and many are popular spots to tailgate before a game. Many local restaurants in the area also offer complimentary shuttles if you choose to dine before or after an event. Bike racks are located outside the arena. College football in the fall is always a popular event for sports fans. The excitement of a new season, the chill in the air, and the excitement of college football is in the air.
Get in on the fun by tailgating in one of the many tailgate lots or join a pregame party hosted by the University at McNamara Alumni Center before you head inside the stadium. Pre-gamers can also stroll through Dinkytown and surround themselves with fellow Gopher fans at campus landmark Stub & Herbs, which has been open since 1939. Other Dinkytown favs include Sally’s Saloon, Afro Deli, Wally’s Falafel, and Annie’s Parlour. There are several hotels within or near the University of Minnesota campus.
More Than Just Football
Huntington Bank Stadium has hosted a variety of events beyond Golden Gopher football games. These include Minnesota State High School League state football and soccer tournaments, concerts, and marching band competitions. The stadium was evaluated as a potential venue for a bid by the United States to host the 2018 or 2022 FIFA World Cup and was planned as a preliminary soccer venue in the Chicago bid for the 2016 Summer Olympics.
In 2014, the stadium hosted an International Champions Cup match between Manchester City FC and Olympiacos, with a temporary grass field laid over the artificial surface. Minnesota United FC played their home matches at TCF Bank Stadium for their first two seasons in Major League Soccer.
Due to a collapse of the Metrodome's roof, the Minnesota Vikings played a Monday Night Football game against the Chicago Bears at the stadium in 2010, their first outdoor home game in 29 years. The Vikings also used the stadium for the 2014 and 2015 NFL seasons while their new stadium was being built.
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The stadium hosted an outdoor NCAA ice hockey game between the Minnesota Golden Gophers and Ohio State Buckeyes in 2014, as well as an NHL contest between the Minnesota Wild and the Chicago Blackhawks in 2016 as part of the NHL Stadium Series.
The stadium replaced Northrop Auditorium as the home of the University of Minnesota Marching Band, providing it with direct access to the stadium field and new facilities. The stadium has been host to the DCI Minnesota Drum & Bugle Corps competition sponsored by Drum Corps International and hosted by Minnesota Brass.
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