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]
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 Target Center in 2018 | |
  Target Center Location within Minnesota  Target Center Location within the United States | |
| Address | 600 First Avenue North |
|---|---|
| Location | Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S. |
| Coordinates | 44°58′46″N 93°16′34″W / 44.97944°N 93.27611°W |
| Public transit | Metro Transit:  Blue Line Green Line at Warehouse District/Hennepin Avenue C Line |
| Owner | City of Minneapolis |
| Operator | Anschutz Entertainment Group |
| Capacity | Basketball: 18,798 Hockey: 17,500 Concerts: Up to 20,500 |
| Surface | Multi-surface |
| Construction | |
| Broke ground | July 12, 1988 |
| Opened | October 13, 1990 |
| Renovated |
|
| Construction cost | US$104 million ($268 million in 2023 dollars[1]) |
| Architect | KMR Architects, Ltd. |
| Structural engineer | Ericksen Roed and Associates, Inc. |
| Services engineer | Gausman & Moore[2] |
| General contractor | M.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) Minnesota Myth (AFL) (2024) | |
| Website | |
| targetcenter | |
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 Minnesota Myth and the Target Center announced that the Myth would be playing their home games there for the 2024 Arena Football Season.[6] The facility has also hosted the LFL's Minnesota Valkyrie, the RHI's Minnesota Arctic Blast, the IHL's Minnesota Moose, 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.[7]
History
edit
Management
editOriginal 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.[8]
In 2000, SFX (later Clear Channel Entertainment) took over the contract.[9] 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.[10]
Renovations
editIn 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.[11]
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.[12] 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.[13] The plan was approved in 2012 by the Minnesota Legislature, as part of the bill that authorized a new stadium for the Minnesota Vikings.[14][15]
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.[16] The renovated building reopened in October 2017.
Naming rights
editOn 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.[17]
Basketball
editIt 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.[20]
Ice hockey
editThe 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).[21][22][23] 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.[24] 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
editConcerts
editThe arena has been a popular venue that has hosted many concerts, including artists like Taylor Swift, Billy Joel, Celine Dion, Garth Brooks, Lana Del Rey, Justin Bieber, Megan Thee Stallion, Elton John, Twenty One Pilots, Katy Perry, Melanie Martinez, Dua Lipa, The Spice Girls, Doja Cat, Sabrina Carpenter, Metallica, Pantera, Paul McCartney, Nicki Minaj, and Minnesota legend Prince.
MMA and professional wrestling
editWWE has held many events at this venue and is best known for SummerSlam 1999, Judgment Day 2005,[25] Bragging Rights 2010, Elimination Chamber 2014, TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs 2017 and 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.[26] The center also hosted that year's edition of their annual pay-per-view event Full Gear, which occurred the following day.[27] 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.[28]
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
editIn 2016, the arena hosted the Kellogg's Tour of Gymnastics Champions.[29]
In 2024, the arena will host the US Olympic Trials for gymnastics for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris from June 27 to 30.[30]
Other events
editIn 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.[31]
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.[32]
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.[33]
Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live hosted their Glow Party event at the arena on November 19, 2022.[citation needed]
Attendance records
editU.S. Bank Theater
editTarget 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.[35]
Transportation and location
editTarget Center is a block away from the following Metro Transit stations:
- Warehouse District/Hennepin Avenue, served by the Metro Blue and Green light rail lines
- Ramp A/7th St. Transit Center that serves 11 bus routes
- Ramp B/5th St. Transit Center that serves 10 bus routes
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.[36]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ 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 February 29, 2024.
- ^ Target Center – Gausman & Moore
- ^ a b c "Arena Info". Target Center. Retrieved September 30, 2016.
- ^ "Minnesota Timberwolves". Target Center. Retrieved January 27, 2013.
- ^ "Minnesota Lynx". Target Center. Retrieved January 27, 2013.
- ^ "Minnesota Myth Announces Target Center As Home Arena For AFL's 2024 Season". Arena Football League. Retrieved January 30, 2024.
- ^ Spedden, Zach (January 8, 2020). "NBA Arenas Oldest to Newest: 2020 Update". Arena Digest. Retrieved April 5, 2022.
- ^ "Glen Taylor". Twin Cities Business Magazine. July 1, 2002. Retrieved April 27, 2016.
- ^ "SFX Assumes Management of Target Center". Star Tribune. Minneapolis. October 3, 2000. Retrieved January 27, 2013.
- ^ "Target Center". Anschutz Entertainment Group. Retrieved January 27, 2013.
- ^ "Target Center Renovations". RealGM. January 31, 2011. Retrieved January 27, 2013.
- ^ "Minnesota's Target Center Completes Green Roof". Environmental Leader. September 29, 2009. Retrieved September 29, 2009.
- ^ "$155 Million Target Center Renovation Proposed". KMSP. February 1, 2011. Archived from the original on October 28, 2011. Retrieved February 1, 2011.
- ^ Melo, Frederick (May 25, 2012). "Vikings Stadium Wins Minneapolis City Council's Final Approval". St. Paul Pioneer Press. Retrieved May 25, 2012.
- ^ "Duluth, Minn. Flood Cost Could Reach $80 Million". USA Today. June 21, 2012. Retrieved June 21, 2012.
- ^ Editorial Board (April 10, 2015). "Right call on Target Center renovation". Star Tribune. Retrieved September 30, 2016.
- ^ Target and Wolves Extend Arena Partnership NBA.com.
- ^ Center, Target. "NCAA Women's Final Four | Target Center". www.targetcenter.com. Retrieved April 9, 2022.
- ^ Odum, Charles (October 7, 2011). "Lynx 73, Dream 67". WNBA Enterprises. Turner Sports & Entertainment Digital Network. Retrieved October 28, 2011.
- ^ "Big Ten Basketball Tournaments Headed to Minneapolis".
- ^ "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.
- ^ "- YouTube". YouTube.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Miller, Chris (June 11, 2012). "Target Center to Play Host to NCHC Tournament". Star Tribune. Minneapolis. Retrieved June 11, 2012.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Gagnon, Joshua (November 13, 2021). "AEW Full Gear Preview, Live Coverage Reminder". Wrestling Inc. Retrieved December 16, 2021.
- ^ "Lesnar-Coleman Headlines UFC 87 in Minnesota on August 9". UFC.com.
- ^ "2016 Kellogg's Tour of Gymnastics Champions takes center stage beginning Sept. 15". usagym.org. Retrieved March 26, 2019.
- ^ "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.
- ^ The People's Celebration
- ^ "Target Center – Rally for the Republic (Ron Paul)". City-Data. July 24, 2008. Retrieved January 27, 2013.
- ^ "Events". Donald J. Trump for President, Inc. Retrieved October 5, 2019.
- ^ "Fast Facts" (PDF). Target Center.
- ^ "US Bank Theater". Target Center. Retrieved January 27, 2013.
- ^ "Parking Information". Target Center. Retrieved January 27, 2013.
External links
edit
- Official website
- Target Center Renovation, Official by the 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
|