Steve LaCroix, the Vikings chief marketing officer, gave an update Saturday afternoon on preparations for Monday's game against the Chicago Bears at TCF Bank Stadium.

LaCroix said the team is "very confident" that every fan holding a ticket will get in based on the number of tickets returned and feedback from fans.

"We feel very confident that everyone will be able to get in the building on game night," LaCroix said. "Come down if you have a ticket. Don't be worried about getting turned away. We feel very, very good about you getting in the building." The difference in seating capacity between the Metrodome and TCF Bank Stadium is around 13,000, but LaCroix said the numbers have started to "sync up" through tickets returned and standing room tickets added. LaCroix expressed confidence that everyone who shows up will get in and that the stadium will have "just the right number of people in there." "We don't have the exact number," he said. "But we're very confident that if you come down to the game Monday night that you're going to get in. We think we're going to have a smooth process to get you in." Here are other items from LaCroix's update:

  • The team will use 84 points of entry to the stadium, including the plaza area. The Gophers used 60 for games. LaCroix said that you should help the process.
  • Free Caribou coffee and handwarmers will be given to fans as they stand in line outside the stadium.
  • Fans who arrive early can gather at Williams Arena. LaCroix said the team will announce the exact time that Williams Arena will open later this weekend. Fans can start lining up outside the stadium at 4 p.m.
  • LaCroix said extra security will be on hand when gates open but urged fans to use "common sense" when picking out their seats. "I think first off hopefully common sense prevails," LaCroix said. "I used the term yesterday Minnesota Nice. Lets put that in play here. Not everyone wants to go to the same spot. Some people prefer end zone down low, some people prefer 50, some may want to go up to the second deck and have a seat there from a viewing angle. We hope that some of the personal preferences kind of filter some of that out and just that common sense prevails."