Target Center

Target Center is a multi-purpose arena located in Minneapolis that opened in 1990. It hosts major family shows, concerts, sporting events, graduations and private events. Target Corporation, founded and headquartered in Minneapolis since 1902, has held the naming rights to the arena since its opening.[3]

Target Center
Target Center in 2018
Target Center is located in Minnesota
Target Center
Target Center
Location within Minnesota
Target Center is located in the United States
Target Center
Target Center
Location within the United States
Address600 First Avenue North
LocationMinneapolis, Minnesota
Coordinates44°58′46″N 93°16′34″W
Public transitMetro Transit:
 Blue Line 
 Green Line  at Warehouse District/Hennepin Avenue
 C Line 
OwnerCity of Minneapolis
OperatorAnschutz Entertainment Group
CapacityBasketball: 18,798
Hockey: 17,500
Concerts: Up to 20,500
SurfaceMulti-surface
Construction
Broke groundJuly 12, 1988 (July 12, 1988)
OpenedOctober 13, 1990 (October 13, 1990)
Renovated
  • 2004
  • 2014
  • 2017
Construction costUS$104 million
($257 million in 2022 dollars[1])
ArchitectKMR Architects, Ltd.
Structural engineerEricksen Roed and Associates, Inc.
Services engineerGausman & Moore[2]
General contractorM.A. Mortenson Company
Tenants
Minnesota Timberwolves (NBA) (1990–present)
Minnesota Lynx (WNBA) (1999–present)
Minnesota Arctic Blast (RHI) (1994, 1996)
Minnesota Moose (IHL) (1994–1996)
Minnesota Fighting Pike (AFL) (1996)
Minnesota Valkyrie (LFL) (2011–2013)
Website
Venue Website

The arena has been the home to the Minnesota Timberwolves of the National Basketball Association (NBA)[4] since its opening and is currently also the home of the Minnesota Lynx of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA).[5] The facility has also hosted the LFL's Minnesota Valkyrie, the RHI's Minnesota Arctic Blast and the Arena Football League's Minnesota Fighting Pike in the past.

Target Center is the second-oldest arena in the NBA after Madison Square Garden, which was built in 1968.[6]

History
The interior before a Timberwolves game, January 2008

Minnesota Lynx on the Daktronics scoreboard, part of the 2016 renovation

Management

Original Timberwolves owners Marv Wolfenson and Harvey Ratner built, owned and operated the arena for five years beginning in 1990. The venue was managed by Ogden Entertainment after the city of Minneapolis purchased the arena in 1995.[3] Glen Taylor acquired the Timberwolves in 1994 and the Lynx in 1999.[7]

In 2000, SFX (later Clear Channel Entertainment) took over the contract.[8] The management was changed in May 2004 from Clear Channel to Midwest Entertainment Group, a joint venture of the Timberwolves and Nederlander Concerts.[3]

On May 2, 2007, AEG Facilities assumed the management contract of Target Center. The city of Minneapolis owns the arena and AEG Facilities manages day-to-day operations.[9]

Renovations

In 2004, Target Center underwent a major renovation that saw the replacement of all 19,006 of its original seats plus the addition of nearly 1,500 new seats as well as the reconfiguration of the lower bowl to make the arena more "fan-friendly". In addition the arena's original scoreboard was replaced with a new 9-by-16-foot (2.7 by 4.9 m) video screen and LED signage, LED signage on the upper deck fascia, a new lounge (Club Cambria) and improved access for fans with disabilities.[10]

Target Center was once one of three NBA arenas with parquet floors, including TD Garden in Boston, and Amway Arena (later Amway Center) in Orlando—the floor was replaced prior to the 2007-08 NBA season.

Target Center is the first arena to have a green roof. It was unveiled on September 15, 2009.[11] In February 2011, the Timberwolves and the city of Minneapolis introduced a $155 million proposal to remodel the Target Center. Plans included shifting the main entrance to the corner of 6th Street and First Avenue, two large glass atriums, another restaurant, and a complete remodel of the interior.[12] The plan was approved in 2012 by the Minnesota Legislature, as part of the bill that authorized a new stadium for the Minnesota Vikings.[13][14]

On April 3, 2015, the Minneapolis City Council gave the final approval for renovation plans for Target Center. The total cost was $140 million, which upgraded the exterior, seats, technology and loading bays, among other areas. The city contributed $74 million. Glen Taylor, owner of the Timberwolves and Lynx, paid a total of $60 million; AEG contributed $5.9 million. As a result, the Timberwolves' lease will run until 2035.[15] The renovated building reopened in October 2017.

Naming rights

On August 7, 1990, it was announced that Target had purchased the naming rights of the Timberwolves' arena and that it would be called Target Center. Since then, the naming rights have been renewed every five years. Target extended its naming rights agreement through 2014 in September 2011.[16] In 2012, a "Target Dog" neon sign was installed to face towards Target Field as a home run celebration sign.[17]

Basketball

It hosted the 1994 NBA All-Star Game, the 1995 NCAA Women's Final Four, 2000 NBA draft and the 2018 WNBA All-Star Game. It had been slated to host an NCAA Men's Regional Final in 2021, but on November 16, 2020, the NCAA announced that it would hold the entire tournament in one city, seeming to rule out Minneapolis. The Target Center hosted the 2022 NCAA Women's Final Four.[18]

In 2011, the Target Center played host to its first championship event, the 2011 WNBA Finals. The Minnesota Lynx won their first two games on their home floor, and ultimately won the WNBA Championship, the first title won by a team that played in Target Center.[19]

On April 20, 2022, it was announced that the Target Center will host the Big Ten women's basketball tournament in 2023 and 2024 and the Big Ten men's basketball tournament in 2024.

Ice hockey

The NHL's Minnesota North Stars refused to move into Target Center upon its opening due to conflicting soft drink rights (their home at the time, the Met Center was served by Pepsi whereas the Target Center's pouring rights belonged to Coca-Cola).[20][21][22] Despite this, the arena did host 6 neutral site NHL games during the 1993–94 NHL season after the North Stars' departure to Dallas, including one in which the Stars participated. The International Hockey League's Minnesota Moose played several of their games at Target Center during their existence from 1994 to 1996. The Boys' State High School Hockey Tournament was held at Target Center in 1998 and 1999. In June 2012, it was announced that the arena would play host to the future NCHC tournament games starting in 2014.[23] The NCHC moved the tournament to the Xcel Energy Center (home of the Twin Cities' current NHL franchise, the Wild) in nearby St. Paul starting in 2018.

Date Winning Team Score Losing Team Score OT Attendance
December 9, 1993 Dallas Stars 6 Ottawa Senators 1 14,058
December 31, 1993 Philadelphia Flyers 4 Boston Bruins 3 10,855
January 17, 1994 Detroit Red Wings 6 Tampa Bay Lightning 3 8,764
March 4, 1994 Winnipeg Jets 6 Ottawa Senators 1 6,388
March 18, 1994 Buffalo Sabres 2 New York Islanders 2 (OT) 8,016
March 27, 1994 New Jersey Devils 5 Quebec Nordiques 2 6,222

Notable events

Concerts

The arena has been a popular venue that has hosted many concerts, including artists like Taylor Swift, Billy Joel, Celine Dion, Garth Brooks, Justin Bieber, Elton John, Katy Perry, the Spice Girls, Metallica, Paul McCartney, and Minnesota legend Prince.

The Target Center hosting a Rage Against the Machine concert.

Concert history

Note, this list is very incomplete and a little random.

1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996

MMA & professional wrestling

WWE has held many events at this venue and is best known for SummerSlam 1999, Judgment Day 2005,[24] Bragging Rights 2010, Elimination Chamber 2014, TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs 2017 & TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs 2019.

Professional wrestling promotion All Elite Wrestling taped an episode of their weekly television show AEW Rampage at the center on November 12, 2021.[25] The center also hosted that year's edition of their annual pay-per-view event Full Gear, which occurred the following day.[26] AEW made their Dynamite taping debut on August 10, 2022, for a special episode entitled "Quake by the Lake"

The Target Center held the memorable UFC championship UFC 87: Seek and Destroy in August 2008, which featured the Welterweight title match where Georges St-Pierre defeated Jon Fitch.[27]

On October 5, 2012, UFC on FX: Browne vs. Bigfoot was held at the venue.

On June 29, 2019, UFC on ESPN: Ngannou vs. dos Santos was held at the venue.

Gymnastics

In 2016, the arena hosted the Kellogg's Tour of Gymnastics Champions.[28]

In 2024, the arena will host the US Olympic Trials for gymnastics for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris from June 27-30.[29]

Other events

In 1991, the center hosted the 1991 U.S. Figure Skating Championships, where skater Tonya Harding became the first American woman and second in the world to land a triple axel jump in competition. Harding took home the gold medal.

In 1999, Target Center hosted the "People's Celebration" inaugural event for Gov. Jesse Ventura. The event drew 14,000 people, and included performances by Jonny Lang, Warren Zevon, and America.[30]

The Professional Bull Riders held a Built Ford Tough Series event at Target Center during the 2003 and 2006 seasons.

The Target Center hosted the Rally for the Republic convention organized by the Campaign for Liberty, a movement founded by Texas Congressman Ron Paul, who ran an unsuccessful bid for the 2008 Republican presidential nomination. Among the attendees of the convention were former Governor of Minnesota Jesse Ventura, Barry Goldwater Jr., and former Governor of New Mexico Gary Johnson.[31]

The Target Center is home to the Target Corporation Annual Sales Meeting, events that host more than 10,000 retail managers and employees near Target's corporate offices. In 2018, Dave Matthews performed a short set at the event.

President Donald Trump held a rally at the arena on October 10, 2019.[32]

Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live hosted their Glow Party event at the arena on November 19, 2022.

Attendance records
  • The current confirmed highest attendance record for a single event in the arena's history was the Timberwolves and Warriors game on March 10, 2017, attended by 20,412 people.
  • The highest grossing one-day event was UFC on August 8, 2009.[33]

U.S. Bank Theater

Target Center can convert into a 2,500-to-7,500-seat theater known as the U.S. Bank Theater. The Theater contains a movable floor-to-ceiling curtain system that allows the venue to be transformed based on specific show needs. In addition to concerts, the U.S. Bank Theater can also be used for family and Broadway shows.[34]

Transportation and location

Target Center is a block away from the following Metro Transit stations:

The arena is also across the street from the well-known Minneapolis nightclub First Avenue. Target Field, the home of Major League Baseball's Minnesota Twins, is located just across the street from the Target Center, and shares the public parking that the arena also uses.[35]

References
  1. 1634–1699: McCusker, J. J. (1997). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States: Addenda et Corrigenda (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1700–1799: McCusker, J. J. (1992). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1800–present: Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. "Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–". Retrieved May 28, 2023.
  2. Target Center – Gausman & Moore
  3. "Arena Info". Target Center. Retrieved September 30, 2016.
  4. "Minnesota Timberwolves". Target Center. Retrieved January 27, 2013.
  5. "Minnesota Lynx". Target Center. Retrieved January 27, 2013.
  6. Spedden, Zach (January 8, 2020). "NBA Arenas Oldest to Newest: 2020 Update". Arena Digest. Retrieved April 5, 2022.
  7. "Glen Taylor". Twin Cities Business Magazine. July 1, 2002. Retrieved April 27, 2016.
  8. "SFX Assumes Management of Target Center". Star Tribune. Minneapolis. October 3, 2000. Retrieved January 27, 2013.
  9. "Target Center". Anschutz Entertainment Group. Retrieved January 27, 2013.
  10. "Target Center Renovations". RealGM. January 31, 2011. Retrieved January 27, 2013.
  11. "Minnesota's Target Center Completes Green Roof". Environmental Leader. September 29, 2009. Retrieved September 29, 2009.
  12. "$155 Million Target Center Renovation Proposed". KMSP. February 1, 2011. Archived from the original on October 28, 2011. Retrieved February 1, 2011.
  13. Melo, Frederick (May 25, 2012). "Vikings Stadium Wins Minneapolis City Council's Final Approval". St. Paul Pioneer Press. Retrieved May 25, 2012.
  14. "Duluth, Minn. Flood Cost Could Reach $80 Million". USA Today. June 21, 2012. Retrieved June 21, 2012.
  15. Editorial Board (April 10, 2015). "Right call on Target Center renovation". Star Tribune. Retrieved September 30, 2016.
  16. Target and Wolves Extend Arena Partnership NBA.com.
  17. Lee, Thomas (March 30, 2012). "At Target Field, a Bullseye View of the Game". Star Tribune. Minneapolis. Archived from the original on April 1, 2012. Retrieved April 1, 2012.
  18. Center, Target. "NCAA Women's Final Four | Target Center". www.targetcenter.com. Retrieved April 9, 2022.
  19. Odum, Charles (October 7, 2011). "Lynx 73, Dream 67". WNBA Enterprises. Turner Sports & Entertainment Digital Network. Retrieved October 28, 2011.
  20. "A look back: The Minnesota North Stars, the story back then and its legacy today | State of Hockey News". stateofhockeynews.com. Archived from the original on September 9, 2015.
  21. "- YouTube". YouTube.
  22. Murphy, Austin (December 20, 1993). "Gone but Not Forgotten: The still-unsettled Dallas Stars played a return engagement before Minnesota's sadder but wiser fans". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved December 18, 2021.
  23. Miller, Chris (June 11, 2012). "Target Center to Play Host to NCHC Tournament". Star Tribune. Minneapolis. Retrieved June 11, 2012.
  24. Keller, Wade (May 23, 2005). "WWE News: Cena at Mall of America, Judgment Day attendance, Wrestling for Jesus". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved November 29, 2013.
  25. Coder, Brie (November 12, 2021). "AEW Rampage Preview (11/12): Bobby Fish vs. Jungle boy, Orange cassidy & Matt Hardy battle". Wrestling Inc. Retrieved December 16, 2021.
  26. Gagnon, Joshua (November 13, 2021). "AEW Full Gear Preview, Live Coverage Reminder". Wrestling Inc. Retrieved December 16, 2021.
  27. "Lesnar-Coleman Headlines UFC 87 in Minnesota on August 9". UFC.com.
  28. "2016 Kellogg's Tour of Gymnastics Champions takes center stage beginning Sept. 15". usagym.org. Retrieved March 26, 2019.
  29. "What you need to know about the 2024 U.S. Olympic gymnastics trials in Minneapolis". startribune.com. Minneapolis Star Tribune. June 14, 2023. Retrieved July 28, 2023.
  30. The People's Celebration
  31. "Target Center – Rally for the Republic (Ron Paul)". City-Data. July 24, 2008. Retrieved January 27, 2013.
  32. "Events". Donald J. Trump for President, Inc. Retrieved October 5, 2019.
  33. "Fast Facts" (PDF). Target Center.
  34. "US Bank Theater". Target Center. Retrieved January 27, 2013.
  35. "Parking Information". Target Center. Retrieved January 27, 2013.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Target Center.
Events and tenants
Preceded by Home of the Minnesota Timberwolves
1990 – present		 Succeeded by
current
Preceded by
first arena
 Home of the Minnesota Lynx
1999 – 2016		 Succeeded by
Preceded by Home of the Minnesota Lynx
2018 – present		 Succeeded by
current
Preceded by
first arena
 Home of the Minnesota Fighting Pike
1996		 Succeeded by
last arena
Preceded by Host of the NBA All-Star Game
1994		 Succeeded by
Preceded by Host of SummerSlam
1999		 Succeeded by
Preceded by Host of WWE Bragging Rights
2010		 Succeeded by
final
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