Regarded as one of America’s most intimate arenas, Xcel Energy Center is a one-of-a-kind multi-purpose sports and entertainment facility located in the heart of downtown Saint Paul, adjacent to the Saint Paul RiverCentre complex and The Legendary Roy Wilkins Auditorium. Situated on a six-acre site and encompassing 650,000 square feet, Xcel Energy Center is home to the National Hockey League’s (NHL) Minnesota Wild, the National Lacrosse League’s (NLL) Minnesota Swarm, and more than 150 spectacular entertainment events annually.

Xcel Energy Center first opened its doors on September 29, 2000, when the expansion Minnesota Wild defeated the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim 3-1. Since its victorious beginnings, the hockey club has sold out every game ever played at the arena.

With four separate concourses on four seating levels, plus the Al Shaver Press Box on the fifth level, Xcel Energy Center’s open concourses are fan friendly, measuring as much as 70 feet in width providing an open view of the arena floor. The venue seats 18,064 for hockey games, and each of its four levels are strategically positioned to create great sightlines. There are 74 executive suites; 12 on the 100 level and 62 on the Club Cambria Executive Suite Level. One level above is the Treasure Island Resort & Casino Club Level, which boasts approximately 3,000 luxury seats, an exclusive merchandise store, and upscale food and beverage options anchored by Headwaters, a full-service bar and restaurant.

Xcel Energy Center has been recognized as one of the best venues worldwide for sporting events, concerts and family shows. ESPN The Magazine has twice ranked the six-year-old venue No. 1 for “Best Stadium Experience”(2003, 2007). Xcel Energy Center was named “Best NHL Arena” by SportsBusiness Journal/SportsBusiness Daily in its 2006 Reader Survey and recognized for the “Best Fan Experience” by Forbes magazine in its 2006 “Business of Hockey” report. Sports Illustrated named the arena its "top choice" among NHL buildings in its 2006 NHL Preview issue. In addition to hockey, Xcel Energy Center has been nominated six times (2001, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007) for "Arena of the Year" by leading concert-industry publication Pollstar magazine.

Xcel Energy Center has played host to many great sporting events including the 2008 U.S. Figure Skating Championships, 2006 U.S. Gymnastics National Championships, 2004 NHL All-Star Weekend, 2004 International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) World Cup of Hockey, the 2002 NCAA Men’s Frozen Four, which will return in 2011 and World Wrestling Entertainment. Each year, the arena hosts the Minnesota State High School League tournaments for volleyball, wrestling and boys and girls hockey as well as the nation’s premier college hockey tournament, the Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) Men’s Final Five. On Sept. 1-4, Xcel Energy Center welcomes an event of historic proportions - the 2008 Republican National Convention.

The first-ever concert at Xcel Energy Center featured the Barenaked Ladies and The Corrs on Sept. 30, 2000. To date, some of the world’s most legendary performers have appeared at Xcel Energy Center, including the Police, the Rolling Stones, Barbra Streisand, Paul McCartney, Pavarotti, Elton John, Billy Joel, Rod Stewart, Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, Kenny Chesney, Neil Diamond, Bruce Springsteen, John Mellencamp, Simon & Garfunkel, and three consecutive sold-out shows by hometown-favorite, Prince.

In addition to the great concerts and sporting events, many incredible family shows pass through Xcel Energy Center each year, including favorites like the World’s Toughest Rodeo, Smucker’s Stars on Ice, Disney On Ice, Doodlebops Live! and Ringling Bros. Barnum & Bailey Circus.

Xcel Energy Center is owned by the City of Saint Paul and managed by the Saint Paul Arena Company, an affiliate of Minnesota Sports & Entertainment (MSE).