VenuesNow 2025 All-Star Honoree: Shannon Kelly

SHANNON KELLY
General Manager
U.S. Bank Stadium (Legends/ASM Global)

FAVORITE LOCAL EATERY
‘Big shout out to Reverie Café in South Minneapolis! The Twin Cities has an amazing vegan restaurant scene.’

Much like the Minnesota Vikings with young quarterback J.J. McCarthy, U.S. Bank Stadium is entering a new era with Shannon Kelly, who was named general manager of the NFL venue in June. She is taking the baton to keep the momentum going for the home of the Vikings, which was recently recognized as one of the top game-day experiences in the NFL.

“The 2024 ‘Voice of the Fan’ NFL-wide survey ranked the Vikings and U.S. Bank Stadium as the best in Overall Game-Day Satisfaction, while the team set an NFL record with the highest score the league has ever recorded in the overall category,” says Kelly, who was promoted to general manager after serving as director of events for four years.

U.S. Bank Stadium and Kelly have plenty to celebrate, not only with the Vikings boasting an exciting offense but also with artists selecting the Minnesota stadium as a touring destination. Throughout her four years as director of events, Kelly has seen the venue host the biggest names in music, including Metallica, Taylor Swift, AC/DC, Kendrick Lamar & SZA, Morgan Wallen and Billy Joel & Stevie Nicks.

“No matter the economic situation, we have always recognized that when our guests come to U.S. Bank Stadium, they have made the conscious decision to spend their hard-earned money on our events,” Kelly says. She credits the 73,000-seat venue’s versatility for its consistent momentum and ability to host multiple events in just a few days. Tech advances help keep fans coming back for more.

“Every step we are taking toward providing our guests with a more frictionless experience is exciting to me,” Kelly says. “Whether it be security screening, ease of wayfinding, experience with food and beverage, or overall guest services, I love to see the evolution of the fan experience in venues.”

It’s a lot of work for anyone managing a venue, but Kelly can’t help but be excited about working in her home state.

“As a proud Minnesota native who loves this state, community, this venue and the people in it, this is the most exciting opportunity of my professional career,” she says.