Upcoming Minnesota Wild dates
Dates and live ticket listings appear here as soon as they are on sale. The guide below covers what to know before you buy.
Minnesota's second NHL franchise
The Minnesota Wild play their home games at Grand Casino Arena in downtown St. Paul, the building known as Xcel Energy Center until its naming rights changed in September 2025. The NHL regular season runs from October to April, and the Wild compete in the Central Division of the Western Conference.
The franchise exists because Minnesota lost its first one. The Minnesota North Stars moved to Dallas in 1993, leaving the state without NHL hockey for seven seasons. The league awarded St. Paul an expansion team on June 25, 1997; the name Wild was unveiled on January 22, 1998, and the team played its first game on October 6, 2000. The logo, a forest landscape that doubles as an animal's head, uses a north star for the eye, a nod to the departed North Stars.
- Dallas Stars. The relocated North Stars, and a rivalry with history built in.
- Division rivals. The Chicago Blackhawks, St. Louis Blues and Winnipeg Jets are regular, high-demand opponents.
- Identity. The team markets Minnesota as the State of Hockey, and the arena leans into that theme from the concourse to the rafters.
Choosing seats at Grand Casino Arena
The arena opened on September 29, 2000, on the site of the demolished St. Paul Civic Center, and seats 17,954 for hockey. It has a lower seating level, a suite level, a club level and an upper seating level. Reviewers generally rate the lower bowl as the best view in the building, with good sightlines from the upper level as well.
- Lower bowl, center ice. The middle rows of the sideline sections give the complete view of breakouts and line changes. This is the most sought-after seating for any game.
- The shoot-twice end. NHL teams switch ends each period, so the home team attacks one net in two of the three periods. Seating guides place the visitors' shoot-twice end at section 101, so the Wild attack twice at the opposite end of the rink. Lower-level sections at that end are a favorite for fans who want to see more Wild chances.
- On the glass. Row 1 in the lower bowl is on the glass. It is close and loud, but the glass bends the view of play in the far corners; rows in the teens see over it.
- Club level. The second-level club seats come with access to the Club Level concourse and sit at a good height for watching plays develop.
- Upper level. The value choice. Lower rows on the sideline are the best buys; the top rows in the corners are the seats to skip if your budget allows.
- Standing room. The arena sells standing room with numbered counter space at the top of both the lower and upper bowls, a good way into a sold-out game.
When the Wild play and which dates sell out
The preseason runs in late September, the 82-game regular season runs from early October to mid-April, and the playoffs run from April into June. The Wild play 41 regular-season home games in St. Paul.
- Dallas and division games. Dates against the Stars, Blackhawks, Blues and Jets draw the strongest local demand and the most visiting jerseys.
- Outdoor and special events. When the Wild host a league showcase, such as the 2022 Winter Classic, tickets are sold separately and demand is set by the event rather than the regular schedule.
- Weekends and holidays. Friday and Saturday games and the holiday break sell faster than midweek games in November and early December.
- Playoffs. Home playoff dates move quickly once a series is set.
Buy early for rivalry and weekend games. Weeknight games against Eastern Conference opponents usually leave the most choice for flexible fans.
Light rail, parking and entry
Grand Casino Arena sits in downtown St. Paul, sharing indoor connections with the RiverCentre convention complex and Roy Wilkins Auditorium. The METRO Green Line serves the area; the team points fans to Central Station, which has skyway access to downtown St. Paul and is a short walk from the arena. Several bus routes also serve the building.
- Parking. Two ramps connect directly to the complex: the RiverCentre ramp and the Kellogg ramp. The team lists advance reservations through ParkWhiz, and off-site lots farther out cost less.
- Tickets. As of the 2026–27 season, the arena was 100% mobile, with tickets held in the Minnesota Wild app.
- Bags. As of 2026, small purses up to 12 by 12 by 6 inches were allowed through designated x-ray checkpoints, and wallets or clutches up to about 4 by 6 by 1.5 inches were allowed at every entrance. Backpacks, coolers and large totes were not allowed.
- Doors. General doors opened 75 minutes before puck drop, with some premium entrances opening earlier.
Check the Wild's game-day guide before you go, since policies change. GoodSeats orders include free shipping and no digital transfer fees.
A hockey-first crowd
The crowd in St. Paul knows the game, and many fans grew up playing it. The concourse displays a jersey from every boys and girls high school hockey program in the state, and the arena hosts the Minnesota State High School League boys and girls hockey tournaments each winter. A 2015 tournament semifinal drew 21,609, the arena's hockey attendance record. The NCAA Frozen Four has been held here in 2002, 2011, 2018 and 2024.
Pregame, fans gather at the bars and restaurants and hotels within walking distance of the arena downtown. Concession stands lean local, with Minnesota craft beer and sausages. The Wild's mascot, Nordy, was introduced in 2008. The team retired No. 1 in honor of its fans, the self-described true number one, and later retired No. 9 for Mikko Koivu.
Notable moments since 2000
- First home game, October 11, 2000. A 3–3 tie with the Philadelphia Flyers. Marian Gaborik had scored the franchise's first goal five days earlier in Anaheim.
- The 2003 run. In their first playoff appearance, the Wild came back from 3–1 series deficits against Colorado and Vancouver, the first team to win two seven-game series in one postseason after facing elimination in Game 5. Anaheim ended the run in the Western Conference Final.
- First division title, 2007–08. Clinched with a 3–1 win over Calgary on April 3, 2008.
- 2022 Winter Classic. The Wild hosted the St. Louis Blues at Target Field in Minneapolis on January 1, 2022, before 38,519 fans. The temperature at puck drop was about −5.7°F, the coldest outdoor game in NHL history; the Blues won 6–4.
Rosters and coaches change every season, so check the team site for the current lineup.
Frequently asked questions
Where do the Minnesota Wild play?
The Wild play at Grand Casino Arena in downtown St. Paul. The arena was named Xcel Energy Center from its 2000 opening until September 2025 and seats 17,954 for hockey.
Why is the team called the Wild?
The name was unveiled on January 22, 1998, and reflects Minnesota's forests and wildlife. The logo's north star eye honors the Minnesota North Stars, who moved to Dallas in 1993.
How do I get to a Wild game on light rail?
Take the METRO Green Line to Central Station in downtown St. Paul, which has skyway access and is a short walk from the arena.
Which end do the Wild shoot twice at?
Seating guides place the visitors' shoot-twice end at section 101, so the Wild attack twice at the opposite end. Confirm on the seating chart when you buy.
What is the bag policy at Grand Casino Arena?
As of 2026, purses up to 12 by 12 by 6 inches were allowed through x-ray checkpoints, and backpacks were not allowed. Check the team's game-day page for the current rule.