NFL Team Guide
Minnesota Vikings: History, Super Bowls & Facts
The Minnesota Vikings were awarded an NFL franchise in January 1960 and began play in 1961. They won the 1969 NFL Championship and played in four Super Bowls from the 1969 to 1976 seasons.
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Updated live from ESPN.
Quick facts
| Founded | 1960 (awarded January); first season 1961 |
|---|---|
| Stadium | U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis (opened 2016) |
| NFL championships | 1 (1969) |
| Super Bowl appearances | 4 through the 2025 season (IV, VIII, IX, XI), no wins |
| Division | NFL Central (1967–1969), NFC Central (1970–2001), NFC North (2002–) |
| Colors | Purple, gold and white |
Super Bowl history
The Vikings won the NFL Championship in 1969, the last season before the AFL–NFL merger. Through the 2025 season they have played in four Super Bowls and lost all four.
- 1969 NFL Championship: beat the Cleveland Browns 27–7
- Super Bowl IV (1969 season): lost to the Kansas City Chiefs 23–7
- Super Bowl VIII (1973 season): lost to the Miami Dolphins 24–7
- Super Bowl IX (1974 season): lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers 16–6
- Super Bowl XI (1976 season): lost to the Oakland Raiders 32–14
- Also lost NFC Championship Games after the 1977, 1987, 1998, 2000, 2009 and 2017 seasons
Franchise history
- 1961: Won their first game, 37–13 over the Chicago Bears, with rookie Fran Tarkenton throwing four touchdown passes.
- 1967: Hired head coach Bud Grant.
- 1969: Went 12–2 and won the NFL Championship.
- 1982: Moved from Metropolitan Stadium to the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome.
- 1998: Went 15–1 and set a then-NFL record with 556 points.
- 2016: Opened U.S. Bank Stadium, after two seasons at the University of Minnesota's TCF Bank Stadium.
Franchise record holders
| Passing yards | Fran Tarkenton, 33,098 |
|---|---|
| Rushing yards | Adrian Peterson, 11,747 |
| Points | Fred Cox, 1,365 |
Retired numbers
- 10Fran Tarkenton
- 53Mick Tingelhoff
- 70Jim Marshall
- 77Korey Stringer
- 80Cris Carter
- 88Alan Page
Hall of Famers
Fran Tarkenton, Alan Page, Carl Eller, Paul Krause, Ron Yary, Mick Tingelhoff, Bud Grant, Chris Doleman, Gary Zimmerman, John Randle, Randall McDaniel, Cris Carter, Randy Moss, Steve Hutchinson, Jared Allen.
Biggest rivalries
- Green Bay Packers: division rivals since 1961, who first met in the playoffs after the 2004 season, a 31–17 Minnesota win.
- Chicago Bears: division rivals and the Vikings' first regular-season opponent, in 1961.
- New Orleans Saints: five postseason meetings through the 2025 season, including the 2009 NFC Championship Game and the 2017 "Minneapolis Miracle."
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Have the Vikings ever won a Super Bowl?
No, not through the 2025 season. They have played in four Super Bowls, IV, VIII, IX and XI, and lost each one. They did win the 1969 NFL Championship before Super Bowl IV.
What was the Purple People Eaters?
The nickname for the Vikings' defensive line of the late 1960s and 1970s, which included Hall of Famers Alan Page and Carl Eller.
What was the Minneapolis Miracle?
A touchdown pass from Case Keenum to Stefon Diggs on the final play that beat the New Orleans Saints in the Divisional Round after the 2017 season.
Why is No. 77 retired by the Vikings?
It honors offensive tackle Korey Stringer, who died of heatstroke at training camp in 2001.
Where have the Vikings played home games?
Metropolitan Stadium (1961–1981), the Metrodome (1982–2013), TCF Bank Stadium (2014–2015) and U.S. Bank Stadium (2016–).
Sources
Facts checked September 23, 2026. Live figures above come from ESPN.