'Feels like a homefield environment' Why the Minnesota Vikings are excited for two games in Europe

Vikings have major advantage with International games

This will the fifth and sixth instances the Vikings will be playing overseas since 2013. It will also be the second time they will be facing both the Steelers and Browns in Europe, as they faced Pittsburgh in 2013 and Cleveland in 2017.

It might feel like the Vikings are being put at an unfair disadvantage having to play in back-to-back games in Europe, but the Vikings don't necessarily feel that way. Vikings co-owner Mark Wilf said as such during in the press release the Vikings sent out when the announcement was made.

“Our experiences in London have always been memorable, so to return in 2025 as the first team to play in back-to-back international games in different countries was something we could not pass up,” said Wilf. “UK fans have a history of showing up and embracing the Minnesota Vikings, creating what often feels like a homefield environment, and we are hopeful that is what we see again in 2025.”

Having a quasi homefield advantage is huge for the Vikings. They are the only team to have won four games in the International Series, and the only team to be undefeated with at least three appearances.

Just in the last three seasons, the Vikings have been in London twice, beating the New Orleans Saints in 2022 and the New York Jets in 2024. In both of those games, the Vikings had a very strong contingent of fans, and that should be the case this year as well.