1966 marked the first Minnesota Vikings Training Camp at Mankato State College. Bemidji hosted Training Camp from 1961 through1965 and Vikings Training Camp moved to Mankato according to the Vikings because of the exposure to the populous southern part of the state and the excellent facilities at Mankato State College.

Vikings Training Camp in Mankato was a community event. Partnerships with Mankato area businesses, Greater Mankato Growth, the Cities of Mankato and North Mankato, Minnesota State University, Mankato helped grow and sustain the camp through the years. The first day of camp in July 1966 had approximately 300 people in attendance. During the final years approximately 50,000-60,000 attended Vikings Training Camp each year. The estimated economic impact to the Greater Mankato community was over $5 million.

The final Vikings Training Camp occurred the summer of 2017.