Vikings want 20 million a year for U.S. Bank Stadium upkeep

Minnesota lawmakers are considering a proposal to allocate up to $20 million annually from e-pulltab gambling revenues for the maintenance of U. S. Bank Stadium. The Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority estimates that the nine-year-old facility will require $300 million in upkeep over the next decade. Senator Nick Frentz, the proposal's primary sponsor, stressed the need for a stable revenue stream for capital improvements to avoid relying on one-time legislative support for maintenance.

Although the proposal enjoys bipartisan support, it faces uncertainty as the legislative session approaches its conclusion in less than two weeks. Concerns have arisen regarding the declining revenue from e-pulltabs, which have seen a drop in proceeds due to regulatory changes aimed at differentiating them from slot machines. In 2024, Minnesota collected over $100 million in e-pulltab taxes, but ongoing adjustments may be necessary to support charities reliant on these games. Additionally, Minneapolis still owes money on its portion of the stadium construction debt, complicating future funding requests. This proposal comes amid other funding requests for sports facilities in Minnesota, highlighting the state's ongoing financial commitments to its sports infrastructure.