Minnesota awarded Super Bowl LII

Atlanta, GA (SportsNetwork.com) - NFL owners awarded Super Bowl LII to Minnesota during Tuesday's meetings in Atlanta.

After four rounds of voting, owners selected Minneapolis by a simple majority over New Orleans. Indianapolis finished third in the selection process.

Minnesota previously hosted the Super Bowl after the 1991 season -- when the Redskins defeated the Bills -- and will have a new stadium in place for Super Bowl LII. The new stadium will sit on the site of the recently demolished Metrodome, which held Super Bowl XXVI.

"We appreciate the collaborative effort from Minnesota's business and community leadership in putting together this winning bid," said Vikings owner/president Mark Wilf. "It was evident to me and my brother Zygi that the other NFL owners were extremely impressed with everything Minnesota had to offer, and we have no doubt they will be even more excited with what the community will deliver in February 2018."

Minneapolis' new $1 billion stadium, which will typically seat 65,400, will be expandable to 72,000 seats for the 2018 Super Bowl. The venue is scheduled to open in 2016, with the Vikings to play the next two seasons at the University of Minnesota's TCF Bank Stadium.

"Attending fans and the world will see the best of Minnesota -- from the sunlit view of downtown Minneapolis through the stadium windows to the many activities happening throughout the region," said Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority chair Michele Kelm-Helgen. "The new stadium and adjacent two-block park that is being developed are incredible assets that will offer amazing fan experiences."

Centered on the theme, "Built for the Bold," the Minnesota Super Bowl Bid Committee delivered a presentation that highlighted the new and iconic stadium as a centerpiece, and included the many bold moves Minnesotans have made in creating a destination that is ready to host the world's biggest game.

New Orleans had never lost in 10 previous tries as a bidder. However, the blackout that interrupted Super Bowl XLVII at Mercedes-Benz Superdome in February of 2013 may have played a factor in Tuesday's vote.

Indianapolis had a successful first Super Bowl in February 2012.

Next year's game is in Glendale, Arizona, with Santa Clara, CA and Houston to host in 2016 and 2017, respectively.

Elsewhere at Tuesday's meetings, owners have tabled the idea of expanding the playoffs by two teams for 2014. Commissioner Roger Goodell did say that he expects expanded playoffs for 2015.

The topic is expected to be revisited when the owners convene again in the fall.