Week 1
Green Bay Packers at Minnesota Vikings
September 13, 2026
U.S. Bank Stadium
NFC North Rivalry
Packers–Vikings
The NFC North's most even feud
Green Bay and Minnesota have met twice a year since the Vikings joined the NFL in 1961, building one of the league's most balanced long-running rivalries. Unlike Green Bay's edge over other division foes, this series has stayed close.
The Rivalry
The rivalry began in 1961, when Vince Lombardi's Packers handled the expansion Vikings, winning nine of the first ten meetings. From there the series settled into rare equilibrium, with neither side able to pull decisively ahead over the long haul. The teams have met twice in the playoffs and split those games. The rivalry's most charged chapter came when Brett Favre — a Green Bay legend — signed with Minnesota, turning a routine division matchup into a national event; his 2009 contests against the Packers were among the most-watched of their kind. A later controversial hit on Aaron Rodgers added more friction.
What's at Stake
This is the rare rivalry where the all-time series sits nearly even, so each NFC North meeting genuinely matters for division position and playoff seeding. The cultural divide is sharp: Wisconsin's Packers faithful against Minnesota's Vikings fans, neighboring states with little love lost.
Famous Moments
- 2004 — Minnesota won the rivalry's first playoff meeting, an NFC Wild Card game, 31-17.
- 2009 — Brett Favre threw four touchdowns at Lambeau Field in his return as a Viking, leading Minnesota to a 38-26 win.
- 2012 — Green Bay won an NFC Wild Card playoff matchup 24-10.
- 2017 — Anthony Barr's hit broke Aaron Rodgers' collarbone, prompting scrutiny of roughing-the-passer rules.
- 2024 — Minnesota swept Green Bay for the first time since 2017.
The Packers–Vikings Games in 2026
The Two Teams
NFC North
Green Bay Packers
Lambeau Field · Green Bay
The community-owned Packers have a league-record 13 championships and play at the NFL’s oldest stadium, Lambeau Field.
NFC North
Minnesota Vikings
U.S. Bank Stadium · Minneapolis
Founded in 1961, the Vikings have reached four Super Bowls and won 11 division titles in their first 14 seasons.
Plan the Trip
A short-haul classic for NFL fans. Green Bay's Lambeau Field, the league's iconic frozen cathedral, is just a few hours from Minneapolis, where Minnesota plays in the dramatic U.S. Bank Stadium. The proximity makes a two-stadium rivalry trip easy — drive between them in an afternoon.
Frequently Asked Questions: Packers–Vikings
The two teams first met in 1961. Green Bay and Minnesota have met twice a year since the Vikings joined the NFL in 1961, building one of the league's most balanced long-running rivalries. Unlike Green Bay's edge over other division foes, this series has stayed close.
This is the rare rivalry where the all-time series sits nearly even, so each NFC North meeting genuinely matters for division position and playoff seeding. The cultural divide is sharp: Wisconsin's Packers faithful against Minnesota's Vikings fans, neighboring states with little love lost.
Yes — they meet 2 times in the 2026 NFL season. The game pages, each with a fan-travel guide, are linked on this page.
Green Bay Packers host at Lambeau Field in Green Bay; Minnesota Vikings play at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.
