Freezing temperatures make Minnesota Vikings vs Seattle Seahawks playoff game third coldest in NFL history

Conditions so cold famous horn shatters

Minnesota Vikings fans arrive for the match (GETTY IMAGES)

One of the coldest NFL matches in history has taken place, with the conditions so bitter it caused a famous horn used by the Minnesota Vikings to shatter into pieces.

The NFC Wild Card game between the Vikings and the Seattle Seahawks was played in temperatures of -6C, with a wind chill making it feel like -25C, making it the third coldest match in the history of the NFL.

Under clear blue skies, ice could be seen in the beards of players and every breath from athletes and fans alike turning into an icy cloud.

The freezing conditions in Minneapolis had been expected, enabling fans and organisers to take precautions, with fans encouraged to bring blankets and "styrofoam, cardboard or newspapers to place under their feet" to prevent prolonged contact with the concrete.

Free hand warmers and coffee were also distributed among those in attendance at the TCF Bank Stadium for the NFL playoff match.

Prior to the game Vikings owner Mark Wilf said: "We know Minnesotans are resilient when it comes to cold weather and unified when it comes to the Vikings, so we view this Sunday's game as a rallying moment."

Not everything the cold conditions brought could be prepared for however, with the Vikings' famous horn, called the Gjallarhorn, shattering prior to the match due to the bitter temperatures.

This will likely be the last time the Vikings play in such extreme conditions with the team moving to a new indoor stadium from next season.

The coldest match in NFL history was played in 1967 when the Green Bay Packers hosted the Dallas Cowboys in -25C conditions with a wind chill of -44C.