The Minnesota Vikings are heading to Detroit this weekend to trip and steal the No. 1 seed away from the Lions. They’re hoping to bring a contingent of fans along with them.
According to Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated, the Vikings bought about 1,900 tickets to Sunday’s game on the secondary market. The tickets cost about $1,000 each. “The team then turned around and sent an email to season ticket holders, offering the opportunity to buy the tickets at a much lower price point, and in some cases for as little as $200 per ticket,” Breer wrote.
According to Breer, the Lions flagged the unusual activity and then found out about the email, which said “As a valued season ticket member, we want to offer you the opportunity to purchase lower-level seats for Sunday night’s game.”
League officials told the Lions there was no wrongdoing by the Vikings.
The tickets are behind the visiting sideline as the Vikings were hoping, first of all, to give their players’ families a better experience in Detroit.
The tickets will cut into the Lions’ home crowd, but even at about 2,500 seats (including the 600 the Vikings were already alloted), the Lions will likely still have a massive crowd advantage as they hope to win and be able to stay at home all the way through the NFC playoffs. A win would mean the Lions wouldn’t have to travel again until Super Bowl LIX, should they reach that point.