Future Championship Location?

[Jedward45]

WARNING:
The following is only true in the imagination of a huge FIRST/Vikings fan, but here me out!!!

1. Minnesota Legislature passes a stadium bill for the Vikings (2012)

2. This bumps Saint Louis into the hot seat for a one-way ticket to LA (2013)

3. The Rams move out, making Edward Jones Dome financially unsustainable (2014)

4. The stadium is destroyed, leaving FIRST without a venue for its following season (Spring 2015)

5. FIRST Leaders want to keep the Championship in the midwest, and start looking for a new venue. (Fall 2015)

6. The new Vikings Stadium opens (2016)

7. FIRST Execs reward the growing state with 4 regionals (including next-season's "Double DECCer" in Duluth) with a Championship event in the new Stadium

8. Some odd-shaped game piece gets lodged in the stadium's retractable roof, throwing off Tom Brady in the last play of Superbowl LI, giving the MN Vikings their first Superbowl!

Ok....so #8 is probably never gonna happen, but with the Ram's Stadium getting old, do you think its possible FIRST could go north? -if not, where else?thoughts?

[EricLeifermann]

Minneapolis in April.... I'll pass....

[Jedward45]

Originally Posted by EricLeifermann

Minneapolis in April.... I'll pass....

Late April is actually a pretty nice time in Minnesota (70's and not really humid)... But maybe thats my inner Eskimo talking....

[qzrrbz]

Originally Posted by Jedward45

Late April is actually a pretty nice time in Minnesota (70's and not really humid)... But maybe thats my inner Eskimo talking....

But... Are the mosquitoes out in force by then?!?!?

[Cory]

The stadium won't be adjacent to the convention center, which makes it a nonstarter.

[EricLeifermann]

Originally Posted by Jedward45

Late April is actually a pretty nice time in Minnesota (70's and not really humid)... But maybe thats my inner Eskimo talking....

I know what MN is like in April I live 4 hours away. It gets in the 70's occasionally. They really just need to go back to Atlanta, in all the places its been Atlanta has been the best and FIRST will be hard to find a better place with lots of things to do that is within walking distance.

[Koko Ed]

I think Indy makes another push to get the event.
Of course we could always go back to Atlanta.

[dodar]

Originally Posted by Koko Ed

I think Indy makes another push to get the event.
Of course we could always go back to Atlanta.

or Disney

Maybe then we could also bring back ESPN. I think these games would do awesome live on ESPN.

[gyroscopeRaptor]

There will be no convention center attached in the current rendering and there is no provision for one in the bill that passed. I'm with you, bringing champs so close would be awesome, but Hell's freezing over the day Minneapolis hosts CMP.

[Samwaldo]

I don't think this has ever been mentioned!!! FIRST should build their own venue!

[Gregor]

Originally Posted by Samwaldo

I don't think this has ever been mentioned!!! FIRST should build their own venue!

and be forever scolded for wasting sponsor money

[CalTran]

Originally Posted by Samwaldo

I don't think this has ever been mentioned!!! FIRST should build their own venue!

Considering it'd only be used, what, 4 days a year (Maybe 7 if they host a regional too)? That's one heck of an investment for a week worth of use per year.

[Camren]

Originally Posted by CalTran

Considering it'd only be used, what, 4 days a year (Maybe 7 if they host a regional too)? That's one heck of an investment for a week worth of use per year.

I Believe if they open it up for Robotics Championship, a regional, and then FIRST Robotics conferences throughout the year. Have it host an Sponsor trade fair and an Andy Mark conference along with lending it out for concerts and highschool and ncaa events it would find very good use

[iPenguin]

Obligatory Georgia team answer:

COME BACK TO ATLANTA!!!!

[Cory]

Originally Posted by Camren

I Believe if they open it up for Robotics Championship, a regional, and then FIRST Robotics conferences throughout the year. Have it host an Sponsor trade fair and an Andy Mark conference along with lending it out for concerts and highschool and ncaa events it would find very good use

I don't think people have a proper understanding of how much it costs to construct a domed stadium and convention center.

The America's Center and Edward Jones Dome cost a combined $556,000,000 in 2012 dollars. Not including whatever expansion and upgrades were completed since they opened.

Even if you assumed that FIRST would only need to construct a facility 1/5 of the size of the venue in St Louis, Atlanta, Indianapolis, etc, the cost is still ridiculous.