Regarded as one of the finest arenas in the world, Xcel Energy Center is home to the NHL's Minnesota Wild, the NLL's Minnesota Swarm and a multitude of premier sports and 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. The following night, Canadian rockers the Barenaked Ladies became the first artists to showcase what has become widely known - the arena’s marvelous acoustics.
 

Connected to the Saint Paul RiverCentre convention center, Xcel Energy Center is situated on a six-acre site encompassing 650,000 square feet. Over 500 pieces of glass create its beautiful, 23,000-square-foot, trademark exterior. One of the most eye-catching interior focal points is the electronic display system that includes a 360-degree video ribbon board and an eight-sided, 50,000-pound scoreboard.

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 ice. The venue seats 18,064 for hockey games, and each of its four levels were strategically positioned to create great sightlines. 

There are 74 executive suites; 12 on the main concourse and 62 on the Executive Suite Level. One level above is the RBC Wealth Management Club Level, which boasts roughly 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 ranked the venue six times among the top three for “Best Stadium Experience” in all of professional sports (2003-2004, 2007-2010) and ESPN fans voted it the “Ultimate Crib” in the magazine’s 2009 “Ultimate Standings.”

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 eight times (2001, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009) for "arena of the year" by leading concert-industry publication Pollstar magazine.
 

Xcel Energy Center has hosted several world-renowned events: 2008 Republican National Convention, 2008 U.S. Figure Skating Championships, 2006 USA Gymnastics National Championships (which is returning Aug. 17-20, 2011), 2004 NHL All-Star Weekend, 2004 International Ice Hockey Federation World Cup of Hockey, and the 2002 NCAA Men's Frozen Four (also returning April 7 & 9, 2011).
 

Each spring, Xcel Energy Center becomes Minnesota’s epicenter of activity, hosting four straight weeks of athletic tournaments. Two of the most storied events include the Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) Boys’ Hockey Tournament and the Red Baron™ Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) Final Five. Attendance marks are routinely broken as hockey-crazed fans clamor for tickets to these destination events each year.
 

Additionally, some of the world’s most legendary entertainers have performed at Xcel Energy Center, including Lady Gaga, 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, Bon Jovi, 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 visit each year, including favorites like the World’s Toughest Rodeo, Smucker’s Stars on Ice, Disney Live! and Disney On Ice.
 

The one-of-a-kind, multi-purpose arena is located in the heart of downtown Saint Paul, owned by the City of Saint Paul and managed by the Saint Paul Arena Company, an affiliate of Minnesota Sports & Entertainment.