Target Center

Target Center
Jonathunder · GFDL 1.2 · source
Name	Target Center
Location	Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States
Coordinates	44°59′13″N 93°16′15″W
Opened	October 13, 1990
Owner	City of Minneapolis
Operator	Minnesota Timberwolves (leased operations)
Capacity	19,356 (basketball)
Architect	Kohn Pedersen Fox
Publictransit	METRO Blue Line; Minneapolis Skyway System

Target Center is a multi-purpose indoor arena in Minneapolis, Minnesota, serving as a primary venue for professional basketball, concerts, political events, and cultural gatherings. Since its opening in 1990 it has hosted franchises, tours, tournaments, and conventions tied to franchises and organizations across sports and entertainment. The arena sits within the Downtown Minneapolis core near civic institutions and transit lines linking to regional and national networks.

History

Groundbreaking for the arena was part of a downtown revitalization initiative involving the City of Minneapolis, corporate partners such as Target Corporation, and civic leaders including Norm Coleman and R.T. Rybak. The venue opened during the tenure of the George H. W. Bush administration and quickly became home to the Minnesota Timberwolves of the National Basketball Association and the Minnesota Lynx of the Women’s National Basketball Association. Early seasons featured matchups with teams like the Los Angeles Lakers, Chicago Bulls, and Boston Celtics, while political conventions and appearances by figures including Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, and Hillary Clinton expanded its civic role. Concerts during the 1990s brought tours from Bruce Springsteen, Madonna, and U2, integrating the arena into national touring circuits alongside venues such as Madison Square Garden and the Staples Center.

Architecture and Facilities

Designed by Kohn Pedersen Fox, the arena incorporated contemporary design principles similar to other late-20th-century projects by firms like Populous and HOK Sport. The structural engineering referenced approaches used at arenas such as United Center and Madison Square Garden with steel trusses and modular seating by contractors linked to firms like Mortenson Construction. Interior amenities include hospitality suites, club lounges, and locker rooms meeting standards set by the National Basketball Association and Women’s National Basketball Association. Support facilities interface with the Minneapolis Convention Center district and adjacent cultural institutions including the Guthrie Theater and Walker Art Center.

Tenants and Events

Primary sports tenants have included the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Minnesota Lynx, whose postseason games have featured opponents such as the Phoenix Suns, San Antonio Spurs, and Seattle Storm. The venue has hosted collegiate events involving the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers, Big Ten Conference tournaments, and neutral-site matchups with programs such as Duke Blue Devils and Kentucky Wildcats. Concert residencies and tours have involved artists including Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, Prince, and Elton John, while family and special events have included productions by Disney On Ice and touring companies from the National Theatre. Political rallies, commencement ceremonies for institutions like University of St. Thomas, and conventions for organizations such as the Democratic National Committee and Republican National Committee have also appeared on the schedule.

Renovations and Upgrades

Major renovation projects in the 2010s were driven by agreements among the City of Minneapolis, the Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority, and franchise owners including Timberwolves executives like Glen Taylor. Upgrades paralleled improvements seen in arenas such as Barclays Center and Chase Center, with enhancements to seating sightlines, LED video boards from suppliers working with Daktronics, concession modernization inspired by trends at AT&T Center, and expansion of premium spaces to attract corporate partners like Target Corporation and hospitality groups. Renovation phasing coordinated with league scheduling to accommodate NBA seasons and WNBA playoffs while meeting building codes administered by Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry.

Attendance and Records

Attendance milestones have included sellout crowds for Timberwolves games versus marquee opponents like the Los Angeles Lakers and playoff crowds against the Houston Rockets and San Antonio Spurs. Concert attendance records were set during tours by U2 and Bruce Springsteen, while WNBA championship crowds for the Lynx drew comparisons to premier markets such as Los Angeles and New York City. The arena has hosted high-attendance college rivalry games, including matchups featuring the Kansas Jayhawks and North Carolina Tar Heels, and charity events with appearances by figures tied to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and other institutions.

Transportation and Access

The arena is accessible via the Minnesota Valley Transit Authority regional network, the METRO Blue Line, and multiple routes within the Metro Transit system, connecting to hubs such as Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport and the Target Field station. Pedestrian access leverages the Minneapolis Skyway System, while parking and drop-off coordination reference municipal lots and garages managed by the City of Minneapolis and private operators. Event-day logistics coordinate with law enforcement agencies including the Minneapolis Police Department and transit authorities to manage crowds for major events like NBA playoff games and national tours.

Category:Sports venues in Minneapolis Category:Basketball venues in Minnesota Category:Music venues in Minneapolis