The 2021 season was Viking's 3rd consecutive year in Eliteserien, and their 71st season in the top flight of Norwegian football. The club participated in the Eliteserien and the Norwegian Cup. It was the club's first season with Bjarte Lunde Aarsheim and Morten Jensen as managers. Viking ended the Eliteserien season in 3rd place, the club's first top-three finish since 2007.
Bjarne Berntsen left his position as manager after the 2020 season, being replaced by Bjarte Lunde Aarsheim and Morten Jensen, who took over as joint managers on 1 January 2021.
In March 2021, Stig Christiansen was reinstated as chairman of the club, a position he also held between 2017 and 2020.
On 11 March 2021, the 2021 Eliteserien season, that was due to start on 5 April, was postponed by one month due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Norway. On 31 March, the new start date for the league was announced to be 8 May 2021.
On 15 March, Viking confirmed the signing of forward Mai Traore from Vasalunds IF. Traore joined the team on 2 August 2021. Viking also signed winger Kevin Kabran and left-back Shayne Pattynama ahead of the season. On 7 May 2021, fan favourite Zlatko Tripiàreturned to the club, after one year with Turkish side Göztepe.
Viking started the Eliteserien season with a 3âÂÂ1 home win against Brann on 9 May 2021, before losing 5âÂÂ0 to Rosenborg at Lerkendal Stadion four days later. The bad result against Rosenborg was followed by another loss, this time against newly promoted Tromsø on 16 May 2021. Viking lost the match 1âÂÂ0. Viking managed to bounce back in the next game, winning 3âÂÂ1 away from home against Lillestrøm, in a game where Zlatko Tripiàscored his first goal after his return to the club. The next match also resulted in a victory, 2âÂÂ1 over Mjøndalen on 27 May 2021. Three days later, Viking travelled to Rogaland rivals Haugesund with confidence after two back-to-back wins, but the winning streak came to an end, as Haugesund won the match 4âÂÂ2.
Viking returned to winning ways in the following game, defeating VÃÂ¥lerenga 4âÂÂ1 on 13 June 2021. Veton Berisha played a central role in the victory, scoring two of the goals and providing two assists. Viking then suffered a 3âÂÂ0 loss to 16th-placed Sandefjord on 19 June 2021, before defeating Sarpsborg 08 2âÂÂ1 six days later. The following game resulted in the club's first draw of the season, 3âÂÂ3 at home to Stabæk on 30 June 2021.
Three days later, Viking drew 2âÂÂ2 against reigning league champions Bodø/Glimt at Aspmyra Stadion. Veton Berisha scored both of the goals for Viking. On 10 July 2021, Viking drew their third game in a row, 1âÂÂ1 against Strømsgodset, after a late equalizer by Zlatko TripiÃÂ. One week later, Viking lost 3âÂÂ2 away to Odd. The goalscorers for Viking were Harald Nilsen Tangen and Veton Berisha. On 25 July 2021, Viking won 3âÂÂ2 against Staal Jørpeland in the first round of the 2021 Norwegian Cup. Former Viking player Even ÃÂstensen scored the goals for Staal Jørpeland.
On 1 August 2021, Viking defeated Djerv 1919 2âÂÂ0 in the second round of the Norwegian Cup. Veton Berisha scored a brace which secured the victory for Viking. On 8 August 2021, Viking won 3âÂÂ2 against Kristiansund. Two of the goals were scored by Zlatko TripiÃÂ, while Sebastian Sebulonsen scored one goal. The next day, Viking confirmed the signing of Gianni Stensness from Australian club Central Coast Mariners. On 11 August, Viking signed David Brekalo from Slovenian club Bravo. On 15 August, Viking won 3âÂÂ2 against top-of-the-league Molde. Viking were 2âÂÂ0 down after the first half, but managed to turn it around in the second half, after goals from Kevin Kabran, Zlatko Tripiàand David Brekalo. Viking drew the next game 1âÂÂ1 against VÃÂ¥lerenga in Oslo, before defeating Rosenborg 2âÂÂ1 at home on 29 August. The next day, Viking confirmed the signing of Patrik Gunnarsson on loan from Brentford. The same day, Henrik Heggheim was sold to Danish club Brøndby.
Following four unbeaten league games in August, Viking continued their unbeaten run on 11 September, beating Stabæk 3âÂÂ1 at Nadderud Stadion. Viking's unbeaten run came to an end eight days later, after losing 3âÂÂ1 to Bodø/Glimt. The third round of the cup was played on 22 September against Rosenborg. The match ended 3âÂÂ1 in favour of Viking. The following fixture resulted in a 2âÂÂ2 draw to Molde on 26 September â the first time Viking managed to get a point at Aker Stadion in five years.
On 2 October, Viking defeated Sandefjord 2âÂÂ1 in front of 14,105 spectators. Viking had to play the majority of the match with ten men, after goalkeeper Patrik Gunnarsson received a red card after 18 minutes. Viking followed up the Sandefjord win with another three points, this time against Strømsgodset at Marienlyst Stadion. Kristoffer Løkberg scored the only goal of the game. On 23 October, Viking won 5âÂÂ1 against Lillestrøm. Veton Berisha scored a hat-trick, while Harald Nilsen Tangen and Sebastian Sebulonsen scored one each. The following game resulted in a 2âÂÂ0 win away to Brann at Brann Stadion, a game that was characterised by heavy rain and bad playing conditions. October was concluded with a 2âÂÂ1 loss at home to Sarpsborg 08, ending a streak of four wins in a row.
The first match in November was against Mjøndalen on 7 November. Viking won 1âÂÂ0 after Veton Berisha converted a penalty in added time. On 20 November, Viking drew 1âÂÂ1 at home to Haugesund. Veton Berisha scored Viking's goal, his 20th league goal of the season. Viking won the next match 3âÂÂ2 against Kristiansund on 28 November. Two late goals from Veton Berisha and Sondre Bjørshol gave Viking the win.
The last home match of the season was against Odd on 5 December. Viking won 3âÂÂ1 and secured a top-three finish in the league for the first time since 2007. The Eliteserien season was concluded with a 2âÂÂ0 win against Tromsø on 12 December. Viking received their bronze medals after the match. Third place also granted the club a spot in the qualification stage of the 2022âÂÂ23 UEFA Europa Conference League.
The following four friendly matches were announced on 6 April.
The Eliteserien fixtures were announced on 1 April.
The pair-ups for the first round were announced on 25 June 2021. The pair-ups for the second round were announced on 26 July 2021. The draw for the third round was held on 5 August 2021. In the fourth round, Viking played against Kongsvinger. The match was played in the 2022 season.
|- |colspan="14"|Players who left Viking during the season: