US Bank Stadium: Minnesota Vikings’ stunning new NFL home will open for business when Chelsea take on AC Milan in International Champions Cup

THE end of Chelsea‘s tour of the United States on Wednesday night will mark the beginning of a new era in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Antonio Conte’s side will take on AC Milan in the International Champions Cup, and it will be the first major event at the new home of NFL‘s Minnesota Vikings.

The US Bank Stadium officially opened for business last month after two and a half years of construction on a $1billion (£750million) project in downtown Minneapolis.

The stadium will hold 66,200 spectators when the Vikings take to the field later this year in the NFL, and up to 73,000 when they host the Super Bowl in 2018.

It was built on the site of the now demolished Metrodome, which had been home to the Vikings since 1982.

The new stadium has 9,000 club seats compared to 243 at the old venue, and 131 suites compared to the 87 at the Metrodome.

After Chelsea’s clash with AC Milan, country singer Luke Bryan will hold a concert at the US Bank Stadium on August 19 with Metallica set to follow the next day.

Minneapolis native Prince had been in talks to perform in the first ever concert at the new stadium before his shock death in April.

It will then be down to the serious business as Vikings fans prepare for the start of the NFL season.

The San Diego Chargers will be the visitors in the third week of pre-season in the first NFL match at the new stadium on August 28 with the Los Angeles Rams to follow on September 1.

But the clash that Minneapolis is really preparing for will take place on September 18 in the second week of the regular-season.

Old rivals Green Bay Packers will be in town that night for the Vikings’ home opener, and the state of Minnesota will be hoping for a night to remember.