The Big Game 2018 – Football Fans’ Travel Guide to Minneapolis

On Feb. 4, 2018, Minneapolis plays host to The Big Game. Watching two NFL football teams in person battle it out for the championship is a once-in-a-lifetime experience but what if you don’t have tickets? You’ll have fun anyway! Minneapolis has a winter wonderland of football festivities for everyone. Many events are free or cheap: A winter carnival with giant snow slides; ice sculptures and outdoor ice bars on city streets; an NFL interactive theme park at the Convention Center where players sign autographs. Warm up with a plate of booya (stew) then dance to live performances by Imagine Dragons, Pink, JLo and more. A million people will converge on the Minneapolis this February and if you’d like to join them, we can help.

Planning a trip to Minneapolis

Finding flights: Normally both January and February are cheap times to fly in the U.S. but early February prices to Minneapolis are high because airlines know that’s when people want to go to The Big Game. Once it’s known which teams will play, prices from those cities will jump again. Don’t worry about airlines running out of seats; they often put on a couple of extra flights to satisfy demand. To find deals, try different itineraries (a longer stay might be cheaper); also check to see if connecting flights are cheaper than non-stops. If you departure city has more than one airport, check prices from both; generally speaking, bigger airports especially hubs offer better deals.

Find Flights to Minneapolis

Finding hotels: We suggest booking a room now. A search of less expensive and mid-size hotel chains on Dec. 19th yielded little more than ‘sold out’ signs though we did turn up an available room in a modest hotel in Savage, Minn. (15 miles from downtown Minneapolis) for a not-so-modest $999 a night!

Find Hotels in Minneapolis

Traveling to Minneapolis

Proper packing: It’s probably going to be cold in Minneapolis; not chilly, not brisk, but cold. Game day forecasts range from the teens to the 20s (Fahrenheit), so bring a heavy coat (with a hood or a hat), warm boots, gloves, scarves and lot of tops and pants for layering. Wear the heavy stuff, then cram pockets with gloves and socks so you will be able to make do with a carry-on and not waste time at the baggage carousel (or worrying about a missing bag).

See information on baggage fees in FareCompare’s Bag Fee Chart.

Navigating the airport: Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) is a smaller facility with just two terminals; Southwest and Sun Country are in Terminal 2 while Terminal 1 has several U.S. airlines plus a handful of international carriers. Lots of shopping and dining options including Minnesota Wild Bar. Get to/from the airport via taxis, Lyft, Uber, shuttle service, public buses plus there is light rail service that goes to downtown Minneapolis every 12 minutes. See the helpful airport website for details.

Fun things to do in Minneapolis

Fun stuff in Minneapolis: Those of you with game tickets know what you’ll be doing Sunday; if you don’t, don’t worry, there’s lots to do in the Twin Cities area! You can visit: The Winter Carnival (with that giant snow slide); the Mall of America (with its own theme park and aquarium); the internationally-renowned Guthrie Theater founded by a British knight (Sir Tyrone Guthrie); the Minneapolis Institute of Art which has works by Rembrandt, O’Keefe and Warhol and more. If it’s nightlife you want, there are plenty of hot clubs, or check out the pricy game-related event known as the Maxim Party (its advertised entry fee ranges from $750 per person to a 15 person VIP table for $21,000).

Food and drink: The Twin Cities’ Eater has compiled a list of 13 raucous sports bars where you can watch the game or just eat and drink. But if you want something quieter, the Minneapolis-St. Paul area is filled with wonderful restaurants featuring haute cuisine and local favorites like a nice “hot dish” (you call it a casserole), Walleye fish and Jucy Lucy (cheese-stuffed burger and yes, that is how they spell it).

Start Planning Your Trip

The Big Game awaits – find yourself a deal and go have fun!