The X | |
 Grand Casino Arena (Then Xcel Energy Center) in 2006 | |
| Former names | Xcel Energy Center (2000–2025) |
|---|---|
| Address | 199 Kellogg Boulevard West |
| Location | Saint Paul, Minnesota, U.S. |
| Coordinates | 44°56′41″N93°6′4″W / 44.94472°N 93.10111°W /44.94472; -93.10111 |
| Public transit |  Green Line atCentral Station Metro Transit Route 54 |
| Owner | City of Saint Paul |
| Operator | Minnesota Sports & Entertainment |
| Capacity | Ice hockey: 18,064 (2000–2012) 17,954 (2012–present)[1] Concerts:
|
| Field size | 650,000 sq ft (60,000 m2) |
| Surface | Multi-surface |
| Construction | |
| Broke ground | June 23, 1998; 27 years ago (June 23, 1998) |
| Opened | September 29, 2000; 25 years ago (September 29, 2000) |
| Construction cost | US$170 million[2] |
| Architect | HOK Sport (now Populous)[2] |
| Project manager | Project Management Consultants, LLC.[3] |
| Structural engineer | Geiger Engineers PC |
| Services engineer | M-E Engineers. Inc.[4] |
| General contractor | Mortenson/Thor[4] |
| Tenants | |
| Minnesota Wild (NHL) (2000–present) Minnesota Swarm (NLL) (2005–2015) Minnesota Lynx (WNBA) (2017) Minnesota Frost (PWHL) (2024–present) MLV Minnesota (2027–future) | |
| Website | |
| grandcasinoarena | |
Grand Casino Arena (formerlyXcel Energy Center) is a multipurpose arena inSaint Paul, Minnesota, United States. It was completed in 2000 and often called "The X" by fans.[5] With an official capacity of 17,954, the arena has four spectator levels: one suite level and three for general seating.[6] The building is home to theNHL'sMinnesota Wild and theMinnesota Frost of thePWHL.
The arena is owned by the city of Saint Paul and operated by the Wild's parent company, Minnesota Sports & Entertainment. It is on the same block of downtown St. Paul as theRiverCentre convention facility, theRoy Wilkins Auditorium, and theOrdway Center for the Performing Arts, and shares a single indoor access area with the RiverCentre and Roy Wilkins Auditorium.
The arena opened on September 29, 2000. It was built on the site of the demolishedSt. Paul Civic Center. The push for a new arena in Saint Paul grew after theNational Hockey League'sMinnesota North Stars moved toDallas. Saint Paul courted theHartford Whalers andWinnipeg Jets under MayorNorm Coleman, but the Civic Center was an obstacle to both deals.[7] In order to get an NHL expansion team, Saint Paul needed to build a new arena. After several failed attempts to get funding, the state funded the project in April 1998. It gave Saint Paul a no-interest loan of $65 million for the $130 million project, though it forgave $17 million of that in exchange for having high school sports championships played at the arena.[7] The naming rights were initially sold toMinneapolis-basedXcel Energy.
The arena hosted theVote for Change Tour on October 5, 2004, featuring performances byBright Eyes,R.E.M. andBruce Springsteen & TheE Street Band (with special guestJohn Fogerty and unannounced guestNeil Young).[8]
In 2006, theTwin Cities were selected as the hosting metropolis for the2008 Republican National Convention, and the arena was chosen as the main venue.[9] The convention was held there on September 1–4, 2008.[9] The manager of the Xcel Energy Center at the time was Minnesota Sports & Entertainment whose ownerCraig Leipold is also the owner of theMinnesota Wild and a prominentRepublican and supporter ofGeorge W. Bush andMitt Romney.[10][11][12]
The 10 millionth person passed through its gates on July 3, 2007.
In 2010,ESPN magazine listed aMinnesota Wild game at Xcel Energy Center as the third-best stadium experience in North America.[13]
In December 2023, Saint Paul city officials spoke on the condition of the venue, stating that it was "showing its age", and said needed renovations could cost "several hundred million [dollars]....based on similar renovations". The project would focus on modernizing the facility to meet demands of newer generations of visitors.[14]
In April 2025, it was announced that Xcel Energy Center would be renamed before the start of the2025–26 NHL season after 25 years, but that the company would still remain a partner of the team.[15]
On June 30, 2025, the Wild and the NHL announced a new naming rights deal with theMille Lacs Band of Ojibwe—which owns and operatesGrand Casino Hinckley and Grand CasinoMille Lacs—and the arena would be named Grand Casino Arena effective September 3, 2025.[16]
The concourse areas contain hockey jerseys from every Minnesota high school on the walls, reflecting the "State of Hockey." Surrounding the arena at all four corners are "crow's nests." One features an organ and is played during Wild games. The second features a lighthouse that houses a foghorn that is blasted when the team takes the ice before games, for all Wild and Frost goals, and after a victory. The third is used for the Wild's drum line. The fourth provides an additional stage for various uses.
Before it opened, the arena installed an integrated scoring, video, information and advertising display system byDaktronics. The system includes a large LED circular, center-hung scoreboard with multiple displays, nearly 1,100 feet (340 m) of ribbon display technology mounted on the fascia and large video displays outside the facility.[17] The center ice display was replaced in the summer of 2014. Of the 10 LED screens, the largest measures 37.5 feet (11.4 m) wide by 19 feet (5.8 m) high.[18] In 2015 the arena began replacing every seat in the building with cushioned seating. This was finished by early 2016.
The campus of Grand Casino Arena, Saint Paul RiverCentre, and The Roy Wilkins Auditorium has three world-class certifications:
The Grand Casino Arena and Saint Paul RiverCentre campus is the world's first complex to receive all three of those certifications. The road to achieving them took several years. Some of the steps taken to achieve these awards are:
In addition to the efforts made by staff, Grand Casino Arena has partnered with the NHL to join Change the Course, a national initiative promoting water conservation and restoration. To highlight its achievements, the Grand Casino Arena produced Exceptionally Green: Minnesota Wild, Saint Paul RiverCentre and Xcel Energy Center.
Grand Casino Arena is a hub for sports events in the Midwest. In 2004, ESPN named the arena the best overall sports venue in the U.S.[28] It hosted the NCAAFrozen Four tournament in 2002, 2011, 2018, and 2024.[29] TheNational Lacrosse League'sMinnesota Swarm played in the arena from January 2005 until they moved to Georgia in 2015. TheMinnesota Lynx of theWNBA used Xcel Energy Center during the2016 WNBA Playoffs and the2017 WNBA season as their home arena, Minneapolis'sTarget Center, was undergoing renovation.[30][31] As of 2018, it is host venue of theNCHC Frozen Faceoff.[32] The venue formerly hosted theBig Ten Men's Ice Hockey Tournament, alternating withJoe Louis Arena in Detroit.[33][34] The venue is used by theMinnesota State High School League (MSHSL) for its Girls Volleyball State Tournament, Wrestling State Tournament, and the Boys and Girls Hockey State Tournaments.
TheMinnesota Wild played their first game at the arena on October 11, 2000, against thePhiladelphia Flyers. Their first win at the arena came on October 18, 2000, when they defeated theTampa Bay Lightning 6–5. The Wild's first playoff game at the arena was on April 14, 2003. In that game, the Wild suffered a 3–0 loss to theColorado Avalanche. On April 21, 2003, the Wild won their first playoff game 3–2 on an overtime game-winner byRichard Park.[35] On April 26, 2015, the Wild clinched a playoff series at the arena for the first time, defeating theSt. Louis Blues 4–1 in game six of the Western Conference Quarterfinals.[36]
In 2023, it was announced that theMinnesota Frost of theProfessional Women's Hockey League would be based out of the arena.[37] The team hosted its inaugural home game on January 6, 2023—a 3–0 shutout victory over theMontréal Victoire.Grace Zumwinkle scored the first home goal for the Frost, and went on to record ahat-trick;Maddie Rooney recorded the shutout.[19] With more than 13,000 fans in attendance, the game set a new record for attendance at a professional women's hockey game.[20]
Various music artists have heldconcerts at the arena since its opening in 2000. Some of these includeTaylor Swift,[38]Olivia Rodrigo,[39]Lady Gaga,[40]Katy Perry,[41]Imagine Dragons,[42]Elton John,[43]Pink,[44]Madonna,[45]Pentatonix,[46]Kelly Clarkson,[47]Ariana Grande,[48]Post Malone,[49]Beyoncé,[50]Shania Twain,[51]Iron Maiden,[52]Bruno Mars.[53]Tyler, The creator [59]
In 1998, the state made a $65 million interest-free loan toward construction of the $130 million arena, $17 million of which was forgiven when the team agreed to allow amateur and public events. That left a loan of $48 million.
In 2013, the state legislature passed an omnibus jobs, housing and commerce bill that included forgiveness of the remaining $32.7 million loan to Xcel Energy Center.
Under the terms of the forgiveness deal in this bill, St. Paul's annual loan payment was reduced by $500,000 in 2014 and again in 2015. The balance of the loan was forgiven in 2016. The city still owes $56.8 million in bonds on the arena, of the $72.7 million it borrowed in 1998.[54]
| Events and tenants | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by First Arena | Home of the Minnesota Wild 2000 – present | Succeeded by Current |
| Preceded by First Arena | Home of the PWHL Minnesota 2024 – present | Succeeded by Current |
| Preceded by | Host of the Frozen Four 2002 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Host of the NHL All-Star Game 2004 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by First Arena | Home of the Minnesota Swarm 2005 – 2015 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Host of the Frozen Four 2011 | Succeeded by |
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