Vikings have deal to play at U of Minnesota during construction

The Minnesota Vikings have reached a tentative agreement with officials at the University of Minnesota to play home games there at TCF Bank Stadium while their new stadium is being built near the site of the Metrodome.

The school, also in Minneapolis, hosted a Vikings’ game on Dec. 20, 2010, against the Chicago Bears after an ice storm destroyed the roof of the Metrodome.

Under the agreement, the Vikings can play up to four consecutive seasons on campus, according to the St. Paul Pioneer Press. They are not expected to need that long and might only be there for the 2015 season before the new facility is opened in 2016.

Per the report, the Vikings will pay approximately $3 million per season in rent, and will cover all expenses required to make changes to the stadium. Heating coils will be installed under the playing surface.

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Brad Biggs covers the Bears for the Chicago Tribune