What do you get when you combine Vikings tailgating and a luxurious, $12,000 penthouse package?
An oxymoron.
The Hotel Ivy wants to class up the tailgating experience for Vikings fans. Starting Sept. 1, fans can trade in their Coors Light for Dom Pérignon and their RVs for the Minneapolis hotel's newly-renovated penthouse.
"This package is a touchdown," said hotel general manager Andrew Fisness.
Need a harder sell? The Hotel Ivy's Ultimate Tailgate Package includes one night in the 1,900 square-foot penthouse, three additional hotel rooms for tailgating friends, three bottles of Dom Pérignon, a generous food and beverage credit, six tickets on the 40-yard line to the Sept. 1 Minnesota Vikings game against the Los Angeles Rams, and private limo transportation to and from the game.
Pregame luxury amenities at sporting events have reached a high in recent years, particularly at the college level. Tiny "tailgate mansions" built at Georgia Southern rent for $5,000 per game.
The University of Kentucky is debuting luxury modular homes (another oxymoron?) for its football games this fall.
And at several universities around the country — none in Minnesota yet — a new service called Tailgater Concierge takes the hassle out of partying.
The Hotel Ivy is also offering a Penthouse Tailgate Package for $5,000, available for any Vikings game. That package includes a one-night stay in the penthouse, a bottle of Dom Pérignon and a food and beverage allowance of $1,500. No Vikings tickets are included in this package.
Fans of traditional tailgating (beer bongs and chili dogs outside in the freezing cold) need not worry. There will still be regular ol' tailgating in private lots near the stadium, but season tailgate passes are only available to season ticket members.
There are, however, a few ways to enjoy the pre-party action for free. The Vikings are setting up an 800-person bar and music garden on the plaza outside the stadium when the Vikings are in town.
And fans won't even need a ticket to join the fun.
Time will tell, but the pregame fan experience for Vikings fans looks to be one of the best in the NFL. Now, if the team can only look as impressive as the pregame party.
Aimee Blanchette • 612-673-1715
@aimeeblanchette
