Target Center

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Lore & Background

The architecture reflects the modernization of professional sports in the Twin Cities during the late 80s boom. While other arenas have been renovated or replaced, Target Center remains a staple of downtown Minneapolis life. The court features the iconic Timberwolves logo at center court, surrounded by bright lights that have witnessed countless buzzer-beaters and emotional regular-season victories. In 2011, the venue celebrated its first championship when the Minnesota Lynx clinched the WNBA title with a Game 3 victory on the road. The arena's history includes unique moments like hosting six neutral-site NHL games in the 1993–94 season after the North Stars' departure, and it is set to serve as the home for the Minnesota Myth of the Indoor Football League beginning in 2025.

In Their Own Story

The air inside is thick with anticipation as the arena hums to life. Outside, the Minnesota winter bites, but within Target Center, the energy is electric. The crowd rises in unison for a timeout, their chants echoing off the high ceiling. A player dribbles near the sideline, the squeak of sneakers on hardwood cutting through the noise, before launching a shot that hangs in the spotlight. This venue has seen it all: from Tonya Harding becoming the first American woman to land a triple axel jump in competition during the 1991 U.S. Figure Skating Championships, to President Donald Trump holding a rally on October 10, 2019. The roar of 14,000 people filled the arena for Gov. Jesse Ventura's "People's Celebration" inaugural event in 1999, featuring performances by Jonny Lang and Warren Zevon.

Reader's Guide

Inside, the tradition is loud; supporters are encouraged to cheer throughout the game rather than just during scoring plays. The arena also serves as a community hub beyond basketball, frequently hosting charity events and youth clinics that connect players with local fans. For first-time visitors, finding the best seats often involves checking the concourse views of the city skyline visible from certain balconies. Transportation is convenient, with the venue located one block from Metro Transit stations including Warehouse District/Hennepin Avenue (Blue and Green lines) and across the street from Target Field. The U.S. Bank Theater section can convert into a 2,500-to-7,500-seat theater for Broadway shows and family events.

Did You Know?

• In 1991, Tonya Harding became the first American woman to land a triple axel jump in competition at Target Center during the U.S. Figure Skating Championships.
• The Minnesota North Stars refused to move into the new arena upon opening because their old venue (Met Center) was served by Pepsi while Target Center's pouring rights belonged to Coca-Cola.
• Target Corporation has held the naming rights to the arena since its opening in 1990, initially signing a 15-year agreement followed by subsequent 10-year renewals.

Architectural Evolution and Management

Opened in 1990 as a modern multi-purpose facility, Target Center has undergone significant transformations to remain relevant. Originally built and operated by Marv Wolfenson and Harvey Ratner for five years, the City of Minneapolis purchased the venue in 1995. Management responsibilities cycled through Ogden Entertainment, SFX (later Clear Channel), and Midwest Entertainment Group before AEG Facilities assumed control on May 2, 2007. The arena's physical footprint saw a major overhaul in 2004, replacing all 19,006 original seats with nearly 1,500 new ones and reconfiguring the lower bowl. This era introduced a new 9-by-16-foot video screen and LED signage. A landmark environmental addition occurred on September 15, 2009, when it became the first arena to feature a green roof. Most recently, a $140 million renovation project approved in 2015 modernized the exterior, technology, and loading bays. Funding included $74 million from the city, $60 million from owner Glen Taylor, and $5.9 million from AEG, securing the Timberwolves' lease through 2035. The renovated building reopened in October 2017.

Basketball Heritage and Championship Glory

As the second-oldest arena currently operating in the NBA, Target Center holds a distinguished place in basketball history, serving as the permanent home for the Minnesota Timberwolves since its inception. Its legacy extends to the WNBA, hosting the Minnesota Lynx since 1999. The venue has been a stage for marquee events, including the 1994 NBA All-Star Game, the 2000 NBA draft, and the Women's Final Four in both 1995 and 2022. A defining moment occurred during the 2011 WNBA Finals, marking the first championship event held within its walls as the Lynx secured their inaugural title. The arena once featured one of only three parquet floors in the league alongside TD Garden and Amway Arena; this historic flooring was replaced prior to the 2007–08 NBA season. Beyond professional leagues, it hosted the 2018 WNBA All-Star Game and is scheduled to host the Big Ten women's basketball tournament in 2023 and 2024, and the men's tournament in 2024.

Diverse Sporting Tenants and Ice Hockey

While primarily known as an NBA and WNBA stronghold, Target Center has hosted a wide array of sporting franchises. In its early years, it was home to the IHL's Minnesota Moose (1994–1996) and later hosted teams like the Arena Football League's Minnesota Fighting Pike and the LFL's Minnesota Valkyrie. The arena also welcomed the RHI's Minnesota Arctic Blast and briefly served as the home for the 2024 Arena Football Season team, the Minnesota Myth, though only one game was played there before the team folded. Ice hockey history is marked by a notable absence; the NHL's Minnesota North Stars refused to move in upon opening due to conflicting soft drink rights (Met Center had Pepsi, Target Center had Coca-Cola). However, after the franchise relocated to Dallas, the arena hosted six neutral-site NHL games during the 1993–94 season. It also served as a venue for the Boys' State High School Hockey Tournament in 1998 and 1999, and hosted NCHC tournament games from 2014 until the event moved to Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul in 2018.

Entertainment Legacy and Corporate Identity

Beyond athletics, Target Center has established itself as a premier destination for concerts and live entertainment, hosting an extensive roster of global superstars including Taylor Swift, P!nk, Beyoncé, Prince, Metallica, and KISS. The venue is deeply embedded in professional wrestling culture, having hosted major WWE pay-per-view events such as SummerSlam 1999, Judgment Day 2005, Bragging Rights 2010, and multiple TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs shows (2017, 2019). It also saw AEW tape an episode of Rampage and host Full Gear in November 2021. The arena's corporate identity is uniquely tied to Target Corporation; founded in Minneapolis in 1902, Target has held the naming rights since August 7, 1990, renewing this agreement every five years with the last renewal occurring in October 2015. This partnership underscores the venue's role as a community anchor, facilitating everything from major graduations and private events to family shows and the Target Corporation Annual Sales Meeting.