There wasn't much doubt but now it's official: TCF Bank Stadium will host the Monday Night Football game between the Minnesota Vikings and Chicago Bears. The game was originally scheduled to be played at the Metrodome in Minneapolis before snow caused the roof to collapse.
This week the NFL and the Vikings have been working with the University of Minnesota to prepare TCF Bank Stadium as the host of the game. That's now been confirmed, acccording to NFL spokesman Greg Aiello on Twitter. For the first time in 29 years, the Vikings will be playing outdoors in Minnesota.
There was some thought that the game could be played elsewhere -- the Indianapolis Colts' Lucas Oil Dome was thrown about as a possibility -- but the Vikings ultimately wanted to keep the game in Minnesota near their fans.
Now that TCF Bank Stadium is indeed the site of the game, the two sides can work together to figure out the logistical details of hosting the game at a stadium that's already been de-winterized and holds 13,000 less people than there are Vikings season ticket holders.