A severe winter storm arrived on December 10–11, 2010, with over 17 in (43 cm) of snow accumulation, and strong winds; those winds made the roof unsafe for the snow removal crew.
As the workers were pulled back, the roof was already sagging in the center.
On December 12 at about 5:00 a.m., the roof had a catastrophic collapse as three panels tore open.
The night before, a Fox Sports crew setting up for an upcoming Vikings game noticed water leaking from the roof and kept their cameras on all night; those cameras captured the roof tearing and ice and snow falling into the stadium.
No one was injured.
Most of the roof sagged and came to rest on cable stays.
The collapse caused no damage inside the stadium aside from a light fixture and some seats.
The turf was not damaged; a drainage system designed for cleaning purposes allowed the field to dry out.
On December 15, 2010, a fourth panel ripped open, sending more snow and ice into the dome.

The Vikings and the New York Giants had been scheduled to play an afternoon football game on December 12.
The game was postponed to the following night due to concerns of stadium officials.
Because of the tears in the roof, the NFL relocated the game to Ford Field in Detroit.
The league considered moving that game to the University of Minnesota's nearby TCF Bank Stadium, but it had been closed and winterized for the season and would have needed several days to prepare for a football game.
Tickets to the game were free, and the Giants ended up winning the game.
Due to roof repair time estimates, the Vikings December 20 game against the Chicago Bears was moved to TCF Bank Stadium.
The final two games for the 2010 Minnesota Vikings season already were scheduled as road games, and the team had already been eliminated from the playoffs.

The Gophers' first baseball game of their 2011 season at the Metrodome was scheduled for February 5.
However, on December 29, it was announced that the roof would not be repaired until the spring of 2011.
As a result, the Gophers were forced to cancel scheduled home games in March against Washington State, Hamline, North Dakota State, and Cal State Bakersfield as well as the annual Metrodome Tournament.
A second tournament, the Dairy Queen Classic, was moved to Tucson, and a scheduled home series against Cal Poly was moved to Cal Poly.

On February 10, 2011, it was announced that the entire Metrodome roof needed to be replaced at an estimated cost of $18 million.
In November 2010, the University of Minnesota men's baseball team had announced plans to play all of their 2011 games at the Metrodome; however, the roof collapse caused those plans to be abandoned.
On February 18, 2011, the Gophers announced that all 12 scheduled Big Ten home games in April and May would be played at Target Field, with three non-conference games moved to on-campus Siebert Field.

On July 13, 2011, it was announced that the roof was repaired and had been inflated that morning.
However, other construction and repairs were still in progress.
The remaining construction and repairs were done by August 1, 2011.
A severe winter storm arrived on December 10–11, 2010, with over 17 in (43 cm) of snow accumulation, and strong winds; those winds made the roof unsafe for the snow removal crew. As the workers were pulled back, the roof was already sagging in the center. On December 12 at about 5:00 a.m., the roof had a catastrophic collapse as three panels tore open. The night before, a Fox Sports crew setting up for an upcoming Vikings game noticed water leaking from the roof and kept their cameras on all night; those cameras captured the roof tearing and ice and snow falling into the stadium. No one was injured. Most of the roof sagged and came to rest on cable stays. The collapse caused no damage inside the stadium aside from a light fixture and some seats. The turf was not damaged; a drainage system designed for cleaning purposes allowed the field to dry out. On December 15, 2010, a fourth panel ripped open, sending more snow and ice into the dome.
The Vikings and the New York Giants had been scheduled to play an afternoon football game on December 12. The game was postponed to the following night due to concerns of stadium officials. Because of the tears in the roof, the NFL relocated the game to Ford Field in Detroit. The league considered moving that game to the University of Minnesota's nearby TCF Bank Stadium, but it had been closed and winterized for the season and would have needed several days to prepare for a football game. Tickets to the game were free, and the Giants ended up winning the game. Due to roof repair time estimates, the Vikings December 20 game against the Chicago Bears was moved to TCF Bank Stadium. The final two games for the 2010 Minnesota Vikings season already were scheduled as road games, and the team had already been eliminated from the playoffs.
The Gophers' first baseball game of their 2011 season at the Metrodome was scheduled for February 5. However, on December 29, it was announced that the roof would not be repaired until the spring of 2011. As a result, the Gophers were forced to cancel scheduled home games in March against Washington State, Hamline, North Dakota State, and Cal State Bakersfield as well as the annual Metrodome Tournament. A second tournament, the Dairy Queen Classic, was moved to Tucson, and a scheduled home series against Cal Poly was moved to Cal Poly.
On February 10, 2011, it was announced that the entire Metrodome roof needed to be replaced at an estimated cost of $18 million. In November 2010, the University of Minnesota men's baseball team had announced plans to play all of their 2011 games at the Metrodome; however, the roof collapse caused those plans to be abandoned. On February 18, 2011, the Gophers announced that all 12 scheduled Big Ten home games in April and May would be played at Target Field, with three non-conference games moved to on-campus Siebert Field.
On July 13, 2011, it was announced that the roof was repaired and had been inflated that morning. However, other construction and repairs were still in progress. The remaining construction and repairs were done by August 1, 2011.
Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome