It's a traditional gridiron giant, stadium built specifically for university football. Still, it played host to MLS and NFL for two seasons each. Minnesota's second largest stadium has the potential to outgrow U.S. Bank Stadium some day, if demand merits it.

TCF Bank Stadium was built in 2009 on the University of Minnesota Campus as the new home for the Golden Gophers football team. It's already the 4th stadium on campus, however the only one able to hold as many as 50,000 people on a regular basis.

Initially it was supposed to be built as a joint venture with NFL's Minnesota Vikings but the two entities couldn't agree on a mutual concept. For that reason the stadium was built largely with the university and state funding.

The stadium has a distinctive horseshoe shape with nearly rectangular stands and oval outer form. The open west end faces the campus and welcomes fans, while also giving an overview of the Minneapolis downtown. The main south side is partly covered, though very modestly indeed.

© Mike Prigge

On the west side there's a 14.6 x 32.9 meter giant screen, the largest built at any NCAA football stadium upon opening, still record-holding. The stadium also houses the country's largest changing room for the home team.

The building was designed with potential expansion in mind, exactly where you'd imagine it: the open west end. Once enclosed, this might add up to 30,000 people, depending on layout and with potential additions in other sections as well.

© Jenni Konrad

The very first renovation work came very soon, already after 5 years into operation. In order to house Minnesota Vikings games in the period of U.S. Bank Stadium construction, the stadium received a new NFL-compliant field and temporary seating for some 2,000 more fans.

Aside from hosting the Vikings for two entire campaigns, TCF Bank Stadium welcomed MLS's new team Minnesota United for two seasons, while still serving as home to the Golden Gophers. It also staged hockey games and concerts with crowds of up to 60,000 people. Average crowds in its first decade always stayed above 43,000 per game, while the first Golden Gophers season saw a 7 sell-out streak.

In 2009 the stadium became USA's first university sports venue to receive the respected LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certificate.

© Lane Pelovsky