Battle for the North: Lions vs. Vikings Tickets & Matchup Info

Update (July 28): This article has been updated with the latest matchup information for the Lions vs. Vikings.

When Do the Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings Play Next?

The Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings face off twice during the 2026 NFL regular season. Beyond the two rivalry matchups below, find Detroit Lions tickets and Minnesota Vikings tickets on their respective team pages, along with schedule information.

• Sunday, November 1, 2026: Minnesota Vikings @ Detroit Lions – Ford Field, Detroit, Michigan at 1:00 p.m. ET
• Sunday, December 20, 2026: Detroit Lions @ Minnesota Vikings – U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, Minnesota at 7:20 p.m. CT

Are the Detroit Lions and the Minnesota Vikings Rivals?

Yes, the Detroit Lions and the Minnesota Vikings are rivals. Their rivalry dates back to 1961, when the Vikings were established as an expansion team in the NFL. Between 1961 and 2023, the two teams have faced off more than 120 times, with the Vikings holding a lopsided lead in the all-time series.

Who are the Detroit Lions’ Biggest Rivals?

The Detroit Lions’ biggest rivals are within the NFC North: the Minnesota Vikings, the Green Bay Packers and the Chicago Bears, all of which date back to the early days of the league. The Lions/Bears rivalry runs especially deep because their dedicated following represents the two largest metropolitan fan bases in the Midwest.

Who are the Minnesota Vikings’ Biggest Rivals?

The Minnesota Vikings have intense rivalries with the Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers and the Chicago Bears. The Vikings’ rivalry with the Green Bay Packers is notable because it is the most competitive and evenly-split in the NFC North, usually deciding the winner of the NFC North division.

Game Results Between the Lions & Vikings

The Vikings and Lions rivalry is one of the most lopsided rivalries in the NFL. Playing twice a year since the Vikings entered the league in 1961, the Vikings have been largely dominant in the all-time series, winning 80 of their 126 total match ups. Through the 1970s and 2000s, respectively, the Vikings beat the Lions 35 times in their 40 total games in those 10-year periods.

Detroit Lions vs. Minnesota Vikings History

In the early years of the rivalry, the Lions were dominant, winning the first six matchups between the two teams. However, the Vikings quickly turned the tables and went on to win 13 of the next 15 meetings.

One of the most memorable games in the history of the rivalry came on Thanksgiving Day in 1995. The Lions were leading the game 38-17 in the third quarter, but the Vikings stormed back to tie the game and send it into overtime. In overtime, Minnesota kicker Fuad Reveiz kicked a game-winning field goal to complete the comeback and give the Vikings a 44-38 victory.

Despite the Vikings’ overall success in the rivalry, the Lions have also had their share of memorable victories. In 2011, the Lions beat the Vikings 34-28 in a game that featured a 78-yard touchdown pass from Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford to wide receiver Calvin Johnson.

Off the field, the rivalry between the Lions and Vikings is fueled by the proximity of the two teams. Detroit and Minneapolis are just over 600 miles apart, and many fans of both teams live in the same region of the country. This has led to a friendly but fierce rivalry between the two fanbases.

Where Do the Minnesota Vikings and Detroit Lions Play?

The Minnesota Vikings have called U.S. Bank Stadium home since its completion in 2016. Sitting on the site of the old Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome in downtown Minneapolis, U.S. Bank Stadium is one of the only fixed-roof, enclosed stadiums in the NFL. Host to Super Bowl LII in 2018, U.S. Bank Stadium has opened its doors to a variety of sporting and entertainment events, including arena concerts for iconic acts like Metallica, and the 2018 ESPN X Games.

Ford Field is an enclosed stadium located across Brush Street from Commercial Park in downtown Detroit. It became the home field of the Detroit Lions upon its completion in 2002, replacing the Pontiac Silverdome. The architectural firm Smith Group incorporated the former Hudson’s store warehouse into the construction of the stadium, paying homage to the industrial history of the town. The venue has a 65,000-person capacity for football games and hosts up to 80,000 fans for basketball games. The stadium is also home to hockey and soccer games as well as musical performances, and hosted the NCAA Final Four in 2009.

How can I buy last-minute Minnesota Vikings vs. Detroit Lions tickets?

Looking for last-minute tickets to Vikings vs. Lions today? Ticketmaster is a great place to buy last-minute tickets to Vikings vs. Lions games. If you’re shopping for Vikings vs. Lions tickets tonight, all NFL tickets purchased through Ticketmaster are 100% verified and instantly delivered to your phone — so you can buy tickets right up until kickoff. You can also view available seats and purchase last-minute Vikings vs. Lions tickets this weekend on Ticketmaster up to an hour after kickoff.

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