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Xcel Energy Center

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Xcel Energy Center is a multipurpose arena in Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States. Completed in 2000 and often called "The X" by fans,[5] it is named for its locally based corporate sponsor Xcel Energy. 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 the NHL's Minnesota Wild and the Minnesota Frost of the PWHL.

Xcel Energy Center
The X
Xcel Energy Center in 2006
Xcel Energy Center is located in Minnesota
Xcel Energy Center
Xcel Energy Center
Location in Minnesota
Xcel Energy Center is located in the United States
Xcel Energy Center
Xcel Energy Center
Location in the United States
Address199 Kellogg Boulevard West
LocationSaint Paul, Minnesota, U.S.
Coordinates44°56′41″N 93°6′4″W / 44.94472°N 93.10111°W / 44.94472; -93.10111
Public transit  Green Line 
at Central Station
Metro Transit Route 54
OwnerCity of Saint Paul
OperatorMinnesota Sports & Entertainment
CapacityIce hockey:
18,064 (2000–2012)
17,954 (2012–present)[1]
Concerts:
  • End Stage 12,999
  • Center Stage 20,554
Field size650,000 sq ft (60,000 m2)
SurfaceMulti-surface
Construction
Broke groundJune 23, 1998; 26 years ago (June 23, 1998)
OpenedSeptember 29, 2000; 24 years ago (September 29, 2000)
Construction costUS$170 million[2]
ArchitectHOK Sport (now Populous)[2]
Project managerProject Management Consultants, LLC.[3]
Structural engineerGeiger Engineers PC
Services engineerM-E Engineers. Inc.[4]
General contractorMortenson/Thor[4]
Tenants
Minnesota Wild (NHL) (2000–present)
Minnesota Frost (PWHL) (2024–present)
Minnesota Swarm (NLL) (2005–2015)
Minnesota Lynx (WNBA) (2017)
Website
xcelenergycenter.com

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 the RiverCentre convention facility, the Roy Wilkins Auditorium, and the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts, and shares a single indoor access area with the RiverCentre and Roy Wilkins Auditorium.

History

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The arena opened on September 29, 2000. It was built on the site of the demolished St. Paul Civic Center. The push for a new arena in Saint Paul grew after the National Hockey League's Minnesota North Stars moved to Dallas. Saint Paul courted the Hartford Whalers and Winnipeg Jets under Mayor Norm 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 arena hosted the Vote for Change Tour on October 5, 2004, featuring performances by Bright Eyes, R.E.M. and Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band (with special guest John Fogerty and unannounced guest Neil Young).[8]

In 2006, the Twin Cities were selected as the hosting metropolis for the 2008 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 owner Craig Leipold is also the owner of the Minnesota Wild and a prominent Republican and supporter of George W. Bush and Mitt Romney.[10][11][12]

The 10 millionth person passed through its gates on July 3, 2007.

In 2010, ESPN magazine listed a Minnesota 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]

Features

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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 by Daktronics. 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.[15] 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.[16] In 2015 the arena began replacing every seat in the building with cushioned seating. This was finished by early 2016.

Attendance records

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  • January 6, 2024: 13,316 fans attended the Minnesota Frost's Professional Women's Hockey League home debut, setting a new record for the largest crowd to attend a professional women's hockey game.[17] The previous record had been set only five days earlier at a sold-out PWHL game in Ottawa, Canada.[18]
  • March 6, 2015: 21,609 fans attended the 2015 State Boys' Hockey Tournament Class AA semifinals at Xcel Energy Center, setting a new record for the largest crowd to ever attend an indoor hockey game in the state of Minnesota.[19]
  • March 9, 2012: The Minnesota State High School League Boys' hockey tournament again set a new attendance record during the 2012 AA semifinal session. Hill-Murray and Moorhead played in the first game followed by Benilde St-Margaret's and Lakeville South in front of a crowd of 19,893.[20]
  • March 8, 2008: The Minnesota State High School League Boys' hockey tournament set a new attendance record during the AA semifinal session. Edina and Benilde-St. Margaret's played in the first game followed by Roseau and Hill-Murray in front of a crowd of 19,559.
  • February 8, 2004: The NHL All-Star Game set a record for attendance at a hockey game in Minnesota at 19,434.
  • The record attendance for a Wild game was set May 6, 2014, at 19,416, against the Chicago Blackhawks.
  • On October 28, 2003, Shania Twain set the arena's single-night concert attendance record of 20,554.
  • On March 17, 2007, 19,463 spectators watched the final game of the WCHA Final Five tournament, the largest crowd ever for an indoor United States college ice hockey game[21] (i.e. not including games held in football stadiums such as the Cold War).
  • On January 19, 2013, 19,298 fans watched the Wild defeat the Colorado Avalanche in the first game after the shortened 2012–13 season. It also marked the debuts of signees Zach Parise and Ryan Suter.[22]
  • Every Wild game at the Xcel Energy Center sold out until October 16, 2010, totaling 400 consecutive home games.[23]
  • Prince and Taylor Swift hold the record for the most consecutive sold-out shows at three.[24]

Sustainability efforts

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The campus of Xcel Energy Center, Saint Paul RiverCentre, and The Roy Wilkins Auditorium has three world-class certifications:

  • Green Globes Certification – November 2017
  • LEED Platinum Certification – September 2019[25]
  • Event Industry Council (EIC) Sustainable Event Standards (SES) – Gold Certification – November 2020

The Xcel Energy Center 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:

  • 60% of all waste is recycled
  • 40% of staff commute by bus, bike, carpool or an efficient vehicle
  • 90% of cleaning products meet green standards

In addition to the efforts made by staff, Xcel Energy Center has partnered with the NHL to join Change the Course, a national initiative promoting water conservation and restoration. To highlight its achievements, the Xcel Energy Center produced Exceptionally Green: Minnesota Wild, Saint Paul RiverCentre and Xcel Energy Center.

Sports

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Xcel Energy Center is a hub for sports events in the Midwest. In 2004, ESPN named the arena the best overall sports venue in the U.S.[26] It hosted the NCAA Frozen Four tournament in 2002, 2011, and 2018; and will host again in 2024.[27] The National Lacrosse League's Minnesota Swarm played in the arena from January 2005 until they moved to Georgia in 2015. The Minnesota Lynx of the WNBA used Xcel Energy Center during the 2016 WNBA Playoffs and the 2017 WNBA season as their home arena, Minneapolis's Target Center, was undergoing renovation.[28][29] As of 2018, it is host venue of the NCHC Frozen Faceoff.[30] The venue formerly hosted the Big Ten Men's Ice Hockey Tournament, alternating with Joe Louis Arena in Detroit.[31][32] The venue is used by the Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) for its Girls Volleyball State Tournament, Wrestling State Tournament, and the Boys and Girls Hockey State Tournaments.

The Minnesota Wild played their first game at the arena on October 11, 2000, against the Philadelphia Flyers. Their first win at the arena came on October 18, 2000, when they defeated the Tampa 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 the Colorado Avalanche. On April 21, 2003, the Wild won their first playoff game 3–2 on an overtime game-winner by Richard Park.[33] On April 26, 2015, the Wild clinched a playoff series at the arena for the first time, defeating the St. Louis Blues 4–1 in game six of the Western Conference Quarterfinals.[34]

In 2023, it was announced that the Minnesota Frost of the Professional Women's Hockey League would be based out of the arena.[35] The team hosted its inaugural home game on January 6, 2023—a 3–0 shutout victory over the Montréal Victoire. Grace Zumwinkle scored the first home goal for the Frost, and went on to record a hat-trick; Maddie Rooney recorded the shutout.[17] With more than 13,000 fans in attendance, the game set a new record for attendance at a professional women's hockey game.[18]

  •  
    Interior during a Minnesota Wild game
  •  
    Interior during a Minnesota Swarm lacrosse game
  •  
    Interior during the 2006 WCHA Final Five Championship
  •  
    Interior prior to the 2009 Boys' High School Championship game between Eden Prairie and Moorhead
  •  
    Interior before the 2020 Minnesota State High School League Boys' Hockey AA Championship game between Eden Prairie and Hill Murray

Concerts

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Various music artists have held concerts at the arena since its opening in 2000. Some of these include Taylor Swift,[36] Olivia Rodrigo,[37] Lady Gaga,[38] Katy Perry,[39] Imagine Dragons,[40] Elton John,[41] Pink,[42] Madonna,[43] Pentatonix,[44] Kelly Clarkson,[45] Ariana Grande,[46] Post Malone,[47] Beyoncé,[48] Shania Twain,[49] Iron Maiden[50] and Bruno Mars.[51]

Funding

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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.[52]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Doyle, Mike (January 19, 2013). "GAMEDAY: Wild vs. Avalanche". National Hockey League. Archived from the original on April 13, 2015. Retrieved September 18, 2013.
  2. ^ a b "About us". Xcel Energy Center. Retrieved January 30, 2021.
  3. ^ Project Management Consultants: Project Profiles – Ballparks, Stadium & Arenas Archived November 4, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
  4. ^ a b "Xcel Energy Center Facts & Figures". SportsBusiness Journal. October 2, 2000. Retrieved November 7, 2011.
  5. ^ Callaghan, Peter (November 14, 2023). "Minnesota Wild taps former state budget director as lobbyist. Is a public ask for Xcel Energy Center renovations next?". Minnpost. Archived from the original on May 6, 2024. Retrieved May 6, 2024.
  6. ^ "Xcel Energy Center". Xcel Energy Center. July 6, 2000. Archived from the original on September 18, 2008. Retrieved February 22, 2013.
  7. ^ a b Rybin, Virginia (September 27, 2000). "St. Paul New Arena is Tale of Survival". St. Paul Pioneer Press. Retrieved September 18, 2013.
  8. ^ "2004 Setlists". Backstreets.com. July 17, 2004. Retrieved November 7, 2011.
  9. ^ a b Republicans start arena conversion for convention USA Today.
  10. ^ Collins, Bob (January 10, 2008). "Who is Craig Leipold". Minnesota Public Radio. Archived from the original on January 12, 2008. Retrieved 2010-04-27.
  11. ^ Brothers, Bruce (April 10, 2008). "Craig Leipold officially takes over as the Minnesota Wild's new majority owner". Pioneer Press. Archived from the original on May 6, 2024. Retrieved May 6, 2024.
  12. ^ "2008 Republican Convention, Day 1: SEPTEMBER 1, 2008. PART OF CSPAN CONVENTION COVERAGE REPUBLICAN NATIONAL CONVENTION". CSPAN. September 1, 2008. Retrieved May 6, 2024.
  13. ^ Van Denburg, Hart. "ESPN Magazine calls Target Field the best stadium in North America". City Pages. Archived from the original on 17 May 2014. Retrieved 16 May 2014.
  14. ^ Walsh, James Walsh. "St. Paul officials say Xcel Energy Center is showing its age — and they want state help to fix it up". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2024-03-02.
  15. ^ "Xcel Energy Center". Prairie Biz Magazine. July 1, 1492. Archived from the original on February 19, 2014. Retrieved September 18, 2013.
  16. ^ "Xcel Energy Center, Wild will unveil new center-ice video board Sept. 27". Star Tribune. June 30, 2014. Retrieved July 21, 2014.
  17. ^ a b Nelson, John (2024-01-07). "PWHL Minnesota smashes attendance world record and wins in shutout". Sports Illustrated. Archived from the original on 2024-01-07. Retrieved 2024-01-07.
  18. ^ a b "PWHL game in Minnesota sets attendance record with 13,316 fans". The Guardian. 2024-01-07. Archived from the original on 2024-01-07. Retrieved 2024-01-07.
  19. ^ "Minnesota State High School Boys' Hockey".
  20. ^ Leighton, Tim (March 10, 2012). "State Hockey: Hill-Murray Coach Discusses Jack Jablonski's Effect on BSM". St. Paul Pioneer Press. Retrieved September 18, 2013.
  21. ^ Tour De Force: Wheeler Nets OT Goal To Give Minnesota Broadmoor Trophy Archived September 17, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
  22. ^ Eide, Nathan (January 19, 2013). "Minnesota Wild vs. Colorado Avalanche: Game Recap". Hockey Wilderness. Retrieved February 22, 2013.
  23. ^ "2010 Hockey Day Minnesota Announced". National Hockey League. June 22, 2009. Retrieved November 7, 2011.
  24. ^ "Taylor Swift lights up St. Paul with 'breathtaking' shows during 3-night takeover". Bring Me the News. Mar 8, 2018. Retrieved May 8, 2023.
  25. ^ "RiverCentre/Xcel Energy Center | U.S. Green Building Council". www.usgbc.org. Retrieved 2023-01-27.
  26. ^ Bauer, Ted (June 4, 2008). "SPORTS AND POLITICS: XCEL ENERGY CENTER". ESPN.com. Retrieved March 3, 2024.
  27. ^ Kahner, Johnny (2023-11-14). "Tickets to college hockey's 2024 NCHC Frozen Faceoff at Xcel Energy Center on sale - CBS Minnesota". www.cbsnews.com. Retrieved 2024-03-02.
  28. ^ "Lynx to play first two playoff games in St. Paul". 12 September 2016. Retrieved 24 February 2019.
  29. ^ "Lynx to play 2017 home games at Xcel Energy Center". Star Tribune. Retrieved 24 February 2019.
  30. ^ "NCHC Establishes New Partnership with Xcel Energy Center to Host Frozen Faceoff". National Collegiate Hockey Conference. 2017-09-07. Retrieved 2018-03-17.
  31. ^ "Big Ten Announces Conference Schedule for 2017-18 Hockey Season". Big Ten Conference. May 4, 2017. Archived from the original on May 8, 2017. Retrieved 21 June 2017.
  32. ^ Dilks, Chris (September 30, 2016). "Big Ten Officially Approves On-Campus Playoffs". SB Nation. Retrieved 20 June 2017.
  33. ^ "2002-03 Minnesota Wild Roster and Statistics". Hockey-Reference.com. Retrieved 2019-04-24.
  34. ^ "2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs First Round schedule". NHL.com. Retrieved 2019-04-24.
  35. ^ Kennedy, Ian (2023-11-28). "PWHL Officially Announces Venues". The Hockey News. Archived from the original on 2023-11-29. Retrieved 2024-01-06.
  36. ^ Gabler, Jay (2013-09-09). "MUSIC REVIEW | Taylor Swift at the Xcel Energy Center: A celebration of perseverance in the face of being talented, beautiful, and famous". Twin Cities Daily Planet. Retrieved 2024-08-15.
  37. ^ Bream, Jon (2024-03-16). "Review: Who was louder in St. Paul: Olivia Rodrigo or her overexuberant fans?". www.startribune.com. Retrieved 2024-08-15.
  38. ^ Raihala, Ross (August 22, 2017). "Lady Gaga extends her Super Bowl performance into wildly entertaining Xcel concert". Twin Cities. Retrieved March 3, 2024.
  39. ^ "Katy Perry just wants to have fun in arena spectacle at Xcel Energy Center". Star Tribune. December 1, 2017. Retrieved March 1, 2024.
  40. ^ Lipshutz, Jason (2013-10-07). "Imagine Dragons Announces 'Into The Night' 2014 Tour". Billboard. Retrieved 2024-03-02.
  41. ^ "Elton John's farewell tour stops at the X — but he's not going anywhere". Pioneer Press. 2022-03-23. Retrieved 2024-03-02.
  42. ^ Raihala, Ross (2024-02-26). "Pink adds second show at Xcel Energy Center in October". Pioneer Press. Retrieved 2024-03-02.
  43. ^ Raihala, Ross (2024-02-14). "Review: Madonna heats up the X with a late-night greatest hits show". Pioneer Press. Retrieved 2024-03-02.
  44. ^ Streed, Leyden (2023-08-21). "Pentatonix coming to St. Paul for Christmas concert". Fox 9 KMSP. Retrieved 2024-03-02.
  45. ^ "Kelly Clarkson steers her own course in St. Paul concert". Star Tribune. 2015-08-04. Retrieved 2024-03-02.
  46. ^ Dunn, Patrick (2014-12-09). "MUSIC PHOTOS | 101.3 KDWB's Jingle Ball 2014 at Xcel Energy Center". Twin Cities Daily Planet. Retrieved 2024-03-02.
  47. ^ Raihala, Ross (2022-09-12). "Post Malone gets goofy and emotional at sold-out Xcel Energy Center concert". Pioneer Press. Retrieved 2024-03-02.
  48. ^ "Beyonce Coming To Xcel Energy Center In July - CBS Minnesota". www.cbsnews.com. 2013-02-04. Retrieved 2024-03-02.
  49. ^ Bream, Jon (2023-05-17). "Review: Shania Twain shows sell-out crowd in St. Paul why she's iconic". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2024-03-02.
  50. ^ "The Future Past Tour - 2024". Iron Maiden. Retrieved 2024-10-19.
  51. ^ "Bruno Mars has it all in St. Paul — except originality". Star Tribune. 2017-08-06. Retrieved 2024-03-02.
  52. ^ "St. Paul wins forgiveness of Xcel arena loan". Star Tribune. Retrieved 24 February 2019.
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Xcel Energy Center.
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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