$1bn NFL stadium undergoing radical transformation for SummerSlam broken into on eve of WWE event

U.S. Bank Stadium will play host to one of the biggest WWE events on the calendar.

SummerSlam, a two-night event packed with key title matches and scores to be settled, takes place at the home of the NFL‘s Minnesota Vikings.

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Out of the five biggest events of the year, ‘The Biggest Party of the Summer’ is considered second behind WrestleMania.

It will begin on Saturday, August 1 and the venue has undergone a huge transformation ahead of proceedings.

Leaked photos have surfaced showing the installation of the iconic entrance ramp, and the ring itself.

Over 250,000 square feet of heavy-duty protective flooring has been laid over the artificial turf to accommodate thousands of floor-level seats and areas for fans to stand.

A lighting canopy has been installed directly over where the ring will preside, and there have also been pictures of the Hell in the Cell structure – where Oba Femi will take on Brock Lesnar.

The 39th edition of the event will take place on the 10th anniversary of the stadium’s opening in August 2016.

It was inaugurated by an exhibition game between the Vikings and San Diego Chargers, which Minnesota won 23-10.

The U.S. Bank Stadium does require repairs after a hailstorm in 2023 caused damage to the translucent portion of the roof, but it is not expected to cause an issue during the event.

Night one of SummerSlam is headlined by CM Punk vs Cody Rhodes battling for the Undisputed WWE Championship.

Night two sees Roman Reigns challenge Seth Rollins for the World Heavyweight Championship.

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Fans break into venue hours before SummerSlam

There was however an unexpected twist just hours before the Slam kicks off.

Footage circulating on social media shows a group of people entering restricted areas of U.S. Bank Stadium at approximately 2:36 a.m.

The individuals walking through backstage corridors, passing a security room filled with surveillance monitors and officers.

They would eventually reach the stadium floor where the ring and production setup were already in place.

One individual climbed into the ring while the rest of the stadium remained largely dark and empty.

Neither WWE or U.S. Bank Stadium have issued an official statement regarding the incident.

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The temporary intrusion is unlikely to delay what is slated to be an historic weekend.