Match Day Guide: Transportation

Minnesota United FC plays their (hopefully) last winter weather game at TCF Bank Stadium tonight against Atlanta United. For that we’ll give you a refresh on transportation options getting to and from the match.

Driving:

Those of you who frequent Golden Gopher football games (like myself) will be well versed in parking at the University of Minnesota. However, there are changes here compared to other sports and events on campus. Per the Minnesota United website only five lots will be open for parking on Match Day.

All five lots/ramps are located on the East Bank, you’ll see the 4th Street Ramp, Oak Street Ramp, Lot 37, Ski-U-Mah, and Victory lots open for single game parking.

This is a massive reduction in available space especially in comparison to other sports.

Single game passes can be pre-purchased at mygophersports.com. Pre-bought passes are available for the Washington Ave. Ramp, Gateway Lot, Gold Lot, Lot 33, Maroon Lot, and Oak Street Ramp.

For the most part, you’ll have a decent walk from most of the parking areas. Don’t arrive too early as match parking will open prior to the gates but not before 7AM. If you decide to pay at the lot, remember to have cash as most (if not all lots) are cash only for event parking.

Public Transportation:

Public transportation is something that both Minnesota United FC and the University of Minnesota are pushing, and for good reasons. First being that Minnesota United wants public transportation to be a central part of Allianz Field. Second, limited parking is a concern of the University.

There are multiple bus routes that get to the U of MN, and you can use Metro Transit’s Trip Planner to make the most efficient route for you. But, the best way to get to TCF Bank Stadium by far is by using the Metro Transit light rail system.

Coming from St. Paul on the rail is fairly straightforward. Just hop on the Green Line heading towards downtown Minneapolis, and hop off on one of the 3 stops at the U of M. The closest is the Stadium Village stop which is directly across the street from Gate D and a short walk down the street from Gate C (Student gate for football, supporters gate for soccer).

Coming from Minneapolis isn’t as easy, however. If you are coming from Downtown just hop on the Green Line headed towards St. Paul and hop off on one of the U of M stops, with Stadium Village being right across the street from Gate D. If you’re coming from south of Downtown/Bloomington you’ll need to get on the Blue Line until you get to US Bank Stadium and get off at that stop (or any stop north of it) and switch to the Green Line heading towards St. Paul. Make sure you have a Bus/Light Rail ticket. The best suggestion we have is to get an all-day pass, which only costs $4.50, and is valid from the time you get it until 2 AM.

Other rates can be looked at here on Metro Transit’s website.

This will be a common post on most match days and willl be updated as needed. Do you have any other suggestions? Let the world know below!