Final ticket-selling extension granted

The Vikings are getting closer to selling out their first home playoff game since 2000, but they needed a final 24-hour extension from the NFL to try to avoid a local television blackout.

The countdown from 20,000 continues.

The Vikings started the week with 20,000 tickets to sell to their wild card playoff game against the Philadelphia Eagles or they would be facing a local television blackout throughout much of Minnesota and some surrounding areas.

On Friday, the team was granted another 24-hour extension – until 3:30 p.m. Saturday – to sell the remaining tickets, approximately 3,000 of them. It was an unprecedented move for the Vikings, who have received extensions until 48 hours before game time during the regular season but never until 24 hours before kickoff. The Vikings play at 3:30 p.m. Central on Sunday.

Prices for the remaining tickets are $80, $120 and $160, and fans are encouraged to visit www.ticketmaster.com or call Ticketmaster at [phone] or toll free at [phone].

The Arizona Cardinals reached a sellout with their final 24-hour extension on Friday for their Saturday game, and the Vikings are optimistic that the final day of selling will result in a sellout.