MINNESOTA SPORTS | Vikings Training Camp Begins as Rookies Report Sunday and Veterans Arrive Tuesday

EAGAN, MN (July 25, 2026). The Minnesota Vikings will begin assembling for the 2026 season this weekend, with rookies scheduled to report Sunday to the TCO Performance Center in Eagan.

Veterans are scheduled to report Tuesday, July 28, bringing the full roster together as the Vikings begin evaluating players, installing their offensive and defensive systems and preparing for a three-game preseason schedule.

The reporting dates mark the official transition from the offseason program to training camp. The team completed its organized team activities and mandatory minicamp earlier this summer before players and coaches dispersed for their final break ahead of the season.

Public practices begin August 1

The Vikings have scheduled 13 training-camp practices that will be open to spectators at the TCO Performance Center and TCO Stadium.

Public access begins Saturday, August 1, with the team’s Back Together Weekend program. The event will include practice, Vikings cheerleader and SKOL Line performances, player autograph opportunities and appearances connected to Legends Weekend.

The first padded practice is scheduled for Monday, August 3. Padded sessions generally give coaches a clearer opportunity to evaluate blocking, tackling technique, physical conditioning and competition along the offensive and defensive lines.

The Vikings’ annual night practice is scheduled for Sunday, August 9, at TCO Stadium. Gates are scheduled to open at 5 p.m., with practice beginning at approximately 7 p.m.

Additional public practices are planned throughout the first three weeks of August. Tickets are required for admission, with general-admission and upgraded hospitality options available through the team.

Vikings open preseason against Giants

Minnesota will play its first preseason game Saturday, August 15, against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

Kickoff is scheduled for noon Central time, or 1 p.m. Eastern.

The game will provide the Vikings’ first opportunity to evaluate the roster against another team. Preseason contests are particularly important for rookies, recent acquisitions and players competing for reserve positions or special-teams assignments.

Minnesota’s coaching staff will use training-camp practices and the three preseason games to determine the 53-player roster that will begin the regular season.

Ravens coming to Eagan for two practices

The Vikings will host the Baltimore Ravens for two joint practices at the TCO Performance Center on Wednesday, August 19, and Thursday, August 20.

The original summary mentioned only the August 19 session. The Vikings have confirmed that the teams will practice together on both days.

Joint practices allow teams to test their offensive and defensive units against unfamiliar schemes without the limitations of an ordinary intrasquad practice. Coaches can control particular situations, repeat plays and stop sessions when instruction or adjustments are needed.

The practices can also provide substantial work for established starters who may receive limited playing time during preseason games.

Minnesota and Baltimore will conclude the week with a preseason game at noon Saturday, August 22, at U.S. Bank Stadium. It will be the second preseason game for both teams.

The Ravens will bring at least one player with a prominent Minnesota connection. Wide receiver Rashod Bateman played college football for the University of Minnesota before Baltimore selected him in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft.

Preseason concludes in Denver

The Vikings will complete their preseason schedule Friday, August 28, against the Denver Broncos.

The game is scheduled to begin at 8 p.m. Central time in Denver.

NFL teams must reduce their rosters to a maximum of 53 players by August 30. Decisions made during the final preseason game could therefore determine which players earn roster positions, receive practice-squad opportunities or become available to other teams.

Regular season opens against Green Bay

Minnesota will begin the regular season Sunday, September 13, against the Green Bay Packers at U.S. Bank Stadium.

Kickoff is scheduled for 3:25 p.m.

The divisional matchup will be followed by consecutive road games against the Chicago Bears and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Before then, the Vikings must move through more than a month of practices, player evaluations and preseason competition in Eagan, New Jersey, Minneapolis and Denver.

For fans, Sunday’s rookie reporting date represents the first formal step toward the return of Vikings football.

Key dates

• July 26: Rookies report to TCO Performance Center
• July 28: Veterans report
• August 1: First public training-camp practice
• August 3: First padded practice
• August 9: Night practice at TCO Stadium
• August 15: Preseason opener at New York Giants
• August 19 and 20: Joint practices with Baltimore
• August 22: Preseason home game against Baltimore
• August 28: Preseason finale at Denver
• August 30: NFL roster-reduction deadline
• September 13: Regular-season opener against Green Bay

Sources:

• Minnesota Vikings 2026 training-camp information
• Complete Vikings training-camp schedule
• Vikings announcement of Ravens joint practices
• Minnesota Vikings 2026 schedule
• New York Giants 2026 schedule

MinneapoliMedia | Community. Culture. Civic Life