Target Center

Target Center is a multipurpose indoor arena in downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota. It opened in 1990 and has served as the home court of the National Basketball Association's Minnesota Timberwolves since the franchise moved into the building, as well as the Women's National Basketball Association's Minnesota Lynx. The building is owned by the City of Minneapolis and operated by AEG Facilities. Its name comes from Target Corporation, the Minneapolis-based retailer that purchased the arena's naming rights before the facility opened and has periodically renewed them. The venue was developed by original Timberwolves owners Marv Wolfenson and Harvey Ratner. They owned and operated it during its first five years, after which the City of Minneapolis acquired the arena in 1995. Management subsequently passed through several operators, including Ogden Entertainment, SFX and its successor Clear Channel Entertainment, and Midwest Entertainment Group, before AEG Facilities assumed the day-to-day management contract in 2007. Beyond professional basketball, Target Center accommodates concerts, family entertainment, Broadway-style productions, graduations, conventions, private functions, professional wrestling, mixed martial arts, gymnastics, figure skating, hockey, political gatherings and corporate meetings. The arena can be reconfigured as the U.S. Bank Theater, a smaller theater-style arrangement with capacity varying according to the event format. Its location in the Warehouse District places it near public transportation, First Avenue, Target Field and downtown Minneapolis entertainment and hospitality venues. The building has undergone several substantial upgrades. A 2004 renovation replaced the original seating, improved the lower bowl, installed a modern video display and LED signage, created a premium club area, and improved accessibility. The original parquet floor was replaced before the 2007–08 basketball season. In 2009, Target Center became the first arena to feature a green roof. A larger modernization program approved in the 2010s refreshed the exterior, entrances, seating, technology, interior spaces and loading areas. The renovated arena reopened in October 2017. The project extended the Timberwolves' lease through 2035 and involved contributions from the city, Glen Taylor, AEG and related arena stakeholders. Target Center has hosted major basketball events including the 1994 NBA All-Star Game, the 1995 NCAA Women's Final Four, the 2000 NBA draft, the 2011 WNBA Finals, the 2018 WNBA All-Star Game, the 2022 NCAA Women's Final Four and Big Ten basketball tournaments. It has also staged major WWE and UFC events, including SummerSlam 1999 and UFC 87. In 2024, it hosted the U.S. Olympic Trials for gymnastics. The arena remains an active sports and entertainment venue and is one of the older facilities in current NBA use.

Target Center was developed in downtown Minneapolis as a new home for the Minnesota Timberwolves and opened in 1990. Marv Wolfenson and Harvey Ratner, the team's original owners, built and operated the arena during its first five years. The naming-rights agreement with Minneapolis-based retailer Target was announced before opening, giving the building a brand identity that has remained in place through successive renewal agreements. In 1994, Glen Taylor acquired the Timberwolves and later acquired the Minnesota Lynx in 1999. The city of Minneapolis purchased the arena in 1995, separating ownership of the facility from the basketball franchise. Ogden Entertainment initially managed the city-owned building. In 2000, SFX, later associated with Clear Channel Entertainment, took over the management contract. Management changed again in 2004, when Midwest Entertainment Group, a joint venture involving the Timberwolves and Nederlander Concerts, became the operator. AEG Facilities assumed management in May 2007 and remains responsible for day-to-day operations. The facility's first major renovation occurred in 2004. All 19,006 original seats were replaced, the lower bowl was reconfigured, and the venue received a larger video display, LED signage, a new premium lounge and accessibility improvements. The arena's parquet basketball floor was replaced before the 2007–08 NBA season. In September 2009, Target Center unveiled a green roof, an environmental feature that distinguished it among major sports venues. A broader redevelopment effort emerged in the early 2010s. The Timberwolves and the city proposed a substantial modernization involving a relocated main entrance, glass atriums, additional dining and a comprehensive interior renovation. The Minnesota Legislature approved the framework in 2012. Minneapolis officials gave final approval to the renovation plans in April 2015. The reported project cost was $140 million, with contributions from the city, Glen Taylor and AEG. The work upgraded the exterior, seating, technology and loading facilities, and the building reopened in October 2017. The associated agreement extended the Timberwolves' lease through 2035. Target Center has maintained a broad event calendar. It has hosted NBA and WNBA games, NCAA tournaments, the NBA draft, professional wrestling, UFC events, concerts, family productions and civic functions. It hosted the 1994 NBA All-Star Game, the 1995 NCAA Women's Final Four, the 2011 WNBA Finals, the 2018 WNBA All-Star Game and the 2022 NCAA Women's Final Four. The Minnesota Lynx won the first two home games of the 2011 WNBA Finals at the arena and went on to win the championship, the first title won by a team playing at Target Center. The arena also hosted Big Ten basketball tournaments scheduled for 2023 and 2024. Other sports history includes neutral-site NHL games after the Minnesota North Stars relocated to Dallas, Minnesota Moose games during the International Hockey League club's existence, high-school hockey events, NCHC tournament games and the 1991 U.S. Figure Skating Championships. Target Center has been a recurring venue for WWE and UFC programming, including SummerSlam 1999, Judgment Day 2005, Bragging Rights 2010, Elimination Chamber 2014, TLC events in 2017 and 2019, UFC 87 and later UFC cards. In 2024, it hosted the U.S. Olympic Trials for gymnastics. The arena also functions as a concert and community venue. Its U.S. Bank Theater configuration uses a movable floor-to-ceiling curtain system to create a smaller room for selected concerts, family events and Broadway-style shows. The building has hosted political rallies, a gubernatorial inaugural celebration, corporate meetings and Target Corporation's annual sales meeting. Its downtown location provides access to light rail, bus connections, nearby First Avenue, Target Field and shared public parking. The Minnesota Timberwolves and Minnesota Lynx remain its principal resident teams.

• 2024

  U.S. Olympic gymnastics trials

  [1]Target Centeren.wikipedia.org

  The arena hosts the U.S. Olympic Trials for gymnastics.

• 2022

  NCAA Women's Final Four

  [1]Target Centeren.wikipedia.org

  Target Center hosts the NCAA Women's Final Four.

• 2017

  Renovated arena reopens

  [1]Target Centeren.wikipedia.org

  The modernization is completed and Target Center reopens in October.

• 2015

  Renovation approved

  [1]Target Centeren.wikipedia.org

  The Minneapolis City Council approves plans for a comprehensive modernization.

• 2011

  First championship event

  [1]Target Centeren.wikipedia.org

  The venue hosts the WNBA Finals, during which the Minnesota Lynx win their first championship.

• 2009

  Green roof unveiled

  [1]Target Centeren.wikipedia.org

  Target Center introduces a green roof.

• 2007

  AEG Facilities becomes manager

  [1]Target Centeren.wikipedia.org

  AEG Facilities assumes the arena management contract.

• 2004

  Major interior renovation

  [1]Target Centeren.wikipedia.org

  The arena replaces its original seats and upgrades seating, technology, accessibility and premium amenities.

• 1995

  City ownership begins

  [1]Target Centeren.wikipedia.org

  The City of Minneapolis purchases the arena.

• 1994

  NBA All-Star Game

  [1]Target Centeren.wikipedia.org

  The venue hosts the NBA All-Star Game.

• 1990

  Arena opens

  [1]Target Centeren.wikipedia.org

  Target Center opens in Minneapolis as the home venue of the Minnesota Timberwolves.

• 1990

  Target naming rights announced

  [1]Target Centeren.wikipedia.org

  Target Corporation acquires naming rights, establishing the arena's long-term name.

A centrally located, flexible Minneapolis sports and entertainment venue serving professional basketball, touring events, family programming, civic gatherings and corporate audiences.

• Sports and entertainment venue · 1990

  Main arena configuration

  The principal configuration supports professional basketball, concerts, combat sports, wrestling, tournaments, civic events and large family shows. It is the regular home of the Minnesota Timberwolves and Minnesota Lynx and can be adapted for different seating, staging and floor plans.

• Theater configuration

  U.S. Bank Theater

  A flexible theater arrangement created with a movable floor-to-ceiling curtain system. Depending on the production, it accommodates approximately 2,500 to 7,500 guests and is used for concerts, family programming and Broadway-style presentations.

• 2009Green roof initiative

  United States

  Target Center introduced a green roof as part of the venue's environmental infrastructure and public sustainability profile.

  Outcome. The feature became a notable part of the arena's identity and was described as a first among arenas.

  Source

• 2015

  Comprehensive modernization approvedStrategy

  Background

  The city and arena stakeholders pursued a broader redevelopment to keep the building competitive and support a longer Timberwolves tenancy.

  Action taken

  The Minneapolis City Council approved renovation plans covering the exterior, seating, technology, interior areas and loading facilities.

  Aftermath

  The renovated arena reopened in 2017, and the Timberwolves lease was extended through 2035.

  Reported renovation cost. $140 million (2015 renovation plan)

  Source

• 2004

  Arena undertakes first major renovationStrategy

  Background

  The venue's original seating, technology and accessibility infrastructure required modernization.

  Action taken

  Target Center replaced all original seats, reconfigured the lower bowl and upgraded displays, signage, premium areas and accessibility.

  Aftermath

  The facility gained improved fan circulation, sightlines, amenities and event technology.

  Source

• 1990

  Target receives arena naming rightsOther

  Background

  The Minneapolis arena required a commercial naming arrangement before its opening.

  Action taken

  Target Corporation acquired the naming rights and the facility became Target Center.

  Aftermath

  The naming agreement has been renewed periodically, including a renewal announced in 2015.

  Source

1. 1Target Centeren.wikipedia.org
2. 2Target Center official websitetargetcenter.com