Grand Casino Arena Information
Owned by the city of Saint Paul, and operated by Minnesota Sports & Entertainment, the Grand Casino Arena was built on the site of the St. Paul Civic Center following its demolition. After the National Hockey League’s Minnesota North Stars moved to Dallas, demand for a replacement grew. In April 1998, the project gained state-approved funding.
In 2004, the Grand Casino Arenar was named by ESPN as the best overall sports venue in the U.S.
The arena features an integrated scoring, video, information and advertising display system, including a large LED circular scoreboard with multiple displays, close to 1,100 feet (340 m) of ribbon display technology mounted on the fascia, and huge video displays on the outside of the facility. In 2015, every seat in the venue was replaced with cushioned seating for maximum comfort. The arena also features a “crow’s nest,” in each of the stadium’s corners, a different function assigned to each.
Grand Casino Arena officially opened its doors on September 29, 2000, built on the site of the previously demolished St. Paul Civic Center. The arena was originally named Xcel Energy Center and operated under that name for 25 years. Fans affectionately called the venue “The X,” and that nickname persists, despite changing to Grand Casino Arena in September 2025.
The venue’s name change reflected a partnership with the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe, which owns and operates Grand Casino Hinckley and Grand Casino Mille Lacs. HOK Sport (now Populous) designed the world-class facility to attract an NHL expansion team after the Minnesota North Stars relocated to Dallas. However, with its seating capacity of 17,954 for hockey games and more for concerts, Grand Casino Arena has since become one of the most respected venues in the Midwest for all sorts of events beyond ice hockey.
The building features multiple spectator levels, including one suite level and three general seating levels, all providing excellent sightlines. The city of Saint Paul owns it. The arena is operated by Saint Paul Arena Company, an affiliate of Minnesota Sports & Entertainment, the parent company of the Minnesota Wild franchise.
Star-Studded Stages: Concert History and Entertainment
Countless artists, including Madonna, Pink, Elton John, and Lady Gaga, have graced this stage in Saint Paul. However, Shania Twain still holds the single-night concert attendance record of 20,554 from her show on October 28, 2003. Prince and Taylor Swift hold the tied record for the most consecutive sold-out shows at Grand Casino Arena (three each).
The venue’s excellent acoustics and sightlines make it a preferred stop for major touring artists, especially since the concert configurations flex from intimate end-stage setups to massive productions. The arena even hosted the Vote for Change Tour, featuring Bright Eyes, R.E.M., and Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band. This politically themed concert demonstrated the venue’s versatility beyond traditional entertainment, and that remains part of its appeal to local audiences.
Show Your Team Spirit at Grand Casino Arena
For many fans, seasonal sports fixtures are the primary attraction at Grand Casino Arena. Catch hockey, volleyball, wrestling, and more, as the arena showcases all the action.
Legendary Moments: Sports History and Milestones
ESPN named the arena the best overall sports venue in the United States in 2004. That’s no surprise, with Grand Casino Arena hosting numerous significant sporting events since its opening.
The NCAA Frozen Four tournament took place here in 2002, 2011, 2018, and 2024. The Minnesota State High School League uses it for the Girls’ Volleyball State Tournament, the Wrestling State Tournament, and the Boys and Girls Hockey State Tournaments. Over 21,000 fans watched the 2015 State Boys’ Hockey Tournament Class AA semifinals at the arena, setting a record for the largest indoor hockey crowd in Minnesota history.
In the big leagues, Minnesota Wild played its first arena game on October 11, 2000, against the Philadelphia Flyers, and had their first home win against Tampa Bay Lightning. The team’s first playoff win came on April 21, 2003, when Richard Park scored in overtime, defeating Colorado 3-2.
The Hockey Lodge Experience
The Hockey Lodge serves as the official store for the Minnesota Wild team, located in the main lobby area of Grand Casino Arena. This flagship store offers a wide selection of team merchandise, including Wild gear, North Stars throwbacks, memorabilia, jerseys, hats, and game-worn items. The operating hours run Tuesday through Friday, and online shopping is available at hockeylodge.com.
If you’d like to purchase items while you’re at the arena, several Hockey Lodge kiosks operate during games, including those positioned just inside Gate 2 and Section 119 on the main level. Sections 205 and 215, and Sections C9 and C10 on the RBC Wealth Management Club level also feature these stores, ensuring you have convenient access to merchandise from your seating location.