Minnesota Gophors Add Norway’s Viking Row to 2026 Games

In a nod to the 2026 World Cup, the Minnesota Golden Gophers announced on X that they will incorporate Norway’s Viking Row celebration into all home games for the 2026 season. The Viking Row, a synchronized drum‑beat rowing that follows every Norwegian win, first drew global attention during Norway’s group‑stage matches and will now echo Minnesota’s largest Norwegian‑American population and its NFL counterpart, the Minnesota Vikings.

Coach PJ Fleck, entering his 10th year, is looking to rebound after a 7-5 record that included a top‑25 win over Nebraska. Returning stars include quarterback Drake Lindsey, who threw 22 touchdowns last season, and running back Darius Taylor, who rushed for 4 TDs. The Gophers open punched the season Thursday, Sept. 3, against Akron and will face Penn State, Indiana, and Mississippi State in the early schedule. newsindata.org