Xcel Energy Center
Encyclopedia
The Xcel Energy Center is a multi-purpose arena located in Saint Paul, Minnesota
. It is named for its locally-based corporate sponsor Xcel Energy
. With an official capacity of 18,064, the arena has four spectator levels: one suite level and three general seating levels. The arena is owned by the city of Saint Paul and operated by Minnesota Sports & Entertainment. Home to the NHL's
Minnesota Wild
and the NLL's
Minnesota Swarm
, it is on the same block as the RiverCentre convention facility, Roy Wilkins Auditorium
, and Ordway Center for the Performing Arts
in downtown St. Paul.
's Minnesota North Stars
moved to Dallas. St. Paul unsuccessfully courted the NHL's Hartford Whalers
and Winnipeg Jets
under Mayor Norm Coleman
, but the Civic Center was an obstacle to both deals.
In order to get an NHL expansion team, St. Paul needed to build a new arena.
After several failed attempts to get funding, the project was funded by the state in April 1998. The state gave St. Paul a no interest loan for $65 million of the $130 million project, though the state forgave $17 million of that loan in exchange for high school sports championships played at the arena.
In 2004, it was named by ESPN as the best overall sports venue in the U.S. The 10 millionth person passed through the gates on July 3, 2007.
The Twin Cities
were selected as the hosting metropolis for the 2008 Republican National Convention
on September 27, 2006 and the arena was chosen as the main venue. The Republican National Convention was held here on September 1–4.
The arena has hosted concerts by many famous artists, as well as WCW
and WWE
shows.
The arena played host to the politically-motivated Vote for Change
Tour on October 5, 2004, featuring performances by The Bright Eyes, R.E.M.
and Bruce Springsteen
& The E Street Band
(with special guest John Fogerty
and unannounced guest Neil Young
).
Prior to its opening, the arena installed an integrated scoring, video, information and advertising display system from Daktronics
, based in Brookings, South Dakota
. The system includes a large LED centerhung scoreboard with multiple displays, nearly 1100 feet (335.3 m) of ribbon display technology mounted on the fascia and large video displays outside the facility.
, 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
.
-sponsored volleyball state tournament. It hosted the 2002 and 2011 NCAA Frozen Four
. The National Lacrosse League
's Minnesota Swarm
began regular season play in the arena in January, 2005.
Saint Paul, Minnesota
Saint Paul is the capital and second-most populous city of the U.S. state of Minnesota. The city lies mostly on the east bank of the Mississippi River in the area surrounding its point of confluence with the Minnesota River, and adjoins Minneapolis, the state's largest city...
. It is named for its locally-based corporate sponsor Xcel Energy
Xcel Energy
Xcel Energy, Inc. is a public utility company based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, serving customers in Colorado, Michigan, Minnesota, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Dakota, Texas, and Wisconsin. Primary services are electricity and natural gas...
. With an official capacity of 18,064, the arena has four spectator levels: one suite level and three general seating levels. The arena is owned by the city of Saint Paul and operated by Minnesota Sports & Entertainment. Home to the NHL's
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
Minnesota Wild
Minnesota Wild
The Minnesota Wild are a professional ice hockey team based in St. Paul, Minnesota, United States. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League ....
and the NLL's
National Lacrosse League
The National Lacrosse League is a men's professional indoor lacrosse league in North America. It currently has nine teams; three in Canada and six in the United States. Unlike other lacrosse leagues which play in the summer, the NLL plays its games in the winter and spring. Each year, the playoff...
Minnesota Swarm
Minnesota Swarm
Minnesota Swarm is a box lacrosse team in the National Lacrosse League. The team plays on Treasure Island Field at Xcel Energy Center in Saint Paul, Minnesota....
, it is on the same block as the RiverCentre convention facility, Roy Wilkins Auditorium
Roy Wilkins Auditorium
The Roy Wilkins Auditorium is a 5,000-seat multi-purpose arena in St. Paul, Minnesota. Designed by renowned African American municipal architect Clarence W. Wigington, it was built in 1932 as the St. Paul Auditorium, and was renamed for Roy Wilkins in 1985...
, and Ordway Center for the Performing Arts
Ordway Center for the Performing Arts
Ordway Center for the Performing Arts is located in downtown Saint Paul, Minnesota and hosts a variety of performing arts, such as touring Broadway musicals, orchestra, opera, and cultural performers. It serves as a home to several local arts organizations, including the Minnesota Opera, The Saint...
in downtown St. Paul.
History
The arena opened on September 29, 2000. It was built on the site of the demolished St. Paul Civic Center. The push for a new arena in St. Paul grew after the National Hockey LeagueNational Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
's Minnesota North Stars
Minnesota North Stars
The Minnesota North Stars were a professional ice hockey team in the National Hockey League for 26 seasons, from 1967 to 1993. The North Stars played their home games at the Met Center in Bloomington, and the team's colors for most of its history were green, yellow, gold and white...
moved to Dallas. St. Paul unsuccessfully courted the NHL's Hartford Whalers
Hartford Whalers
The Hartford Whalers were a professional ice hockey team based for most of its existence in Hartford, Connecticut, U.S.A.. The club played in the World Hockey Association from 1972–79 and in the National Hockey League from 1979–97...
and Winnipeg Jets
Winnipeg Jets
The Winnipeg Jets were a professional ice hockey team based in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. They began play in the World Hockey Association in 1972, moving to the National Hockey League in 1979 following the collapse of the WHA...
under Mayor Norm Coleman
Norm Coleman
Norman Bertram Coleman, Jr. is an American attorney and politician. He was a United States senator from Minnesota from 2003 to 2009. Coleman was elected in 2002 and served in the 108th, 109th, and 110th Congresses. Before becoming a senator, he was mayor of Saint Paul, Minnesota, from 1994 to 2002...
, but the Civic Center was an obstacle to both deals.
In order to get an NHL expansion team, St. Paul needed to build a new arena.
After several failed attempts to get funding, the project was funded by the state in April 1998. The state gave St. Paul a no interest loan for $65 million of the $130 million project, though the state forgave $17 million of that loan in exchange for high school sports championships played at the arena.
In 2004, it was named by ESPN as the best overall sports venue in the U.S. The 10 millionth person passed through the gates on July 3, 2007.
The Twin Cities
Twin cities
Twin cities are a special case of two cities or urban centres which are founded in close geographic proximity and then grow into each other over time...
were selected as the hosting metropolis for the 2008 Republican National Convention
2008 Republican National Convention
The United States 2008 Republican National Convention took place at the Xcel Energy Center in Saint Paul, Minnesota, from September 1, through September 4, 2008...
on September 27, 2006 and the arena was chosen as the main venue. The Republican National Convention was held here on September 1–4.
The arena has hosted concerts by many famous artists, as well as WCW
World Championship Wrestling
World Championship Wrestling, Inc. was an American professional wrestling promotion which existed from 1988 to 2001. Based in Atlanta, Georgia, it began as a regional promotion affiliated with the National Wrestling Alliance , named Jim Crockett Promotions until November 1988, when Ted Turner and...
and WWE
World Wrestling Entertainment
World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. is an American publicly traded, privately controlled entertainment company dealing primarily in professional wrestling, with major revenue sources also coming from film, music, product licensing, and direct product sales...
shows.
The arena played host to the politically-motivated Vote for Change
Vote for Change
The Vote for Change tour was a politically-motivated American popular music concert tour that took place in October 2004. The tour was presented by MoveOn.org to benefit America Coming Together. The tour was held in swing states and was designed to encourage people to register and vote...
Tour on October 5, 2004, featuring performances by The Bright Eyes, R.E.M.
R.E.M.
R.E.M. was an American rock band formed in Athens, Georgia, in 1980 by singer Michael Stipe, guitarist Peter Buck, bassist Mike Mills and drummer Bill Berry. One of the first popular alternative rock bands, R.E.M. gained early attention due to Buck's ringing, arpeggiated guitar style and Stipe's...
and Bruce Springsteen
Bruce Springsteen
Bruce Frederick Joseph Springsteen , nicknamed "The Boss," is an American singer-songwriter who records and tours with the E Street Band...
& The E Street Band
E Street Band
The E Street Band has been rock musician Bruce Springsteen's primary backing band since 1972.The band has also recorded with a wide range of other artists including Bob Dylan, Meat Loaf, Bonnie Tyler, Air Supply, Dire Straits, David Bowie, Peter Gabriel, Stevie Nicks, Tom Morello, Sting, Ian...
(with special guest John Fogerty
John Fogerty
John Cameron Fogerty is an American rock singer, songwriter, and guitarist, best known for his time with the swamp rock/roots rock band Creedence Clearwater Revival and as a #1 solo recording artist. Fogerty has a rare distinction of being named on Rolling Stone magazine's list of 100 Greatest...
and unannounced guest Neil Young
Neil Young
Neil Percival Young, OC, OM is a Canadian singer-songwriter who is widely regarded as one of the most influential musicians of his generation...
).
Features
The concourse areas contain a hockey jersey from every high school in Minnesota hanging on the wall, reflecting the "State of Hockey." Surrounding the arena at all four corners are "crows nests." One features an organ built into the shell of a Zamboni and is played during Wild games. A second nest features a lighthouse that contains a foghorn that is blasted before the game, for Wild goals and after a win. The third is used for the announcement before every Wild game; "Let's play hockey!" along with Fox Sports Network North (FSN) commentary and interviews. The fourth holds audio equipment for live game production.Prior to its opening, the arena installed an integrated scoring, video, information and advertising display system from Daktronics
Daktronics
Daktronics is an American company based in Brookings, South Dakota that designs, manufactures, sells, and services video board, scoreboards, digital billboards and related products. The company is best known for its electronic LED displays...
, based in Brookings, South Dakota
Brookings, South Dakota
Brookings is a city in Brookings County, South Dakota, United States. Brookings is the fourth largest city in South Dakota, with a population of 22,056 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Brookings County, and home to South Dakota State University, the largest institution of higher...
. The system includes a large LED centerhung scoreboard with multiple displays, nearly 1100 feet (335.3 m) of ribbon display technology mounted on the fascia and large video displays outside the facility.
Attendance records
- March 8, 2008 : The Minnesota State High School LeagueMinnesota State High School LeagueThe Minnesota State High School League is a voluntary, non-profit association for the support and governance of interscholastic activities at high schools in Minnesota, United States. The association supports interscholastic athletics and fine arts programs for member schools...
Boys hockey tournament set a new attendance record during the AA semifinal session. EdinaEdina High SchoolEdina High School is a three-year public high school located in Edina, Minnesota, a suburb of Minneapolis. The school was founded in 1949 and is the main high school in the Edina School District....
and Benilde-St. Margaret's played in the first game followed by Roseau and Hill-MurrayHill-Murray SchoolHill-Murray School is a coeducational private Catholic school serving grades 7-12. It is located on a site in Maplewood, Minnesota, a suburb of Saint Paul. Located in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis, it was established in 1971 through the consolidation of Archbishop...
in front of a crowd of 19,559 - February 8, 2004: the NHL All-Star Game set a record for attendance at a hockey game in Minnesota at 19,434
- The record attendance for a Wild game was set October 5, 2005 at 19,398, the first game after the lockout season.
- On October 28, 2003, Shania TwainShania TwainShania Twain, OC is a Canadian country pop singer-songwriter. Her album The Woman in Me , brought her fame and her 1997 album Come On Over, became the best-selling album of all time by a female musician in any genre, and the best-selling country album of all time. It has sold over 40 million...
set the arena's single-night concert attendance record of 20,554. - On March 17, 2007, 19,463 spectators watched the final game of the WCHAWestern Collegiate Hockey AssociationThe Western Collegiate Hockey Association is a college athletic conference which operates over a wide area of the Midwestern and Western United States. It participates in the NCAA's Division I as an ice hockey-only conference....
Final Five tournament, the largest crowd ever for an indoor United States college ice hockey game (i.e. not including games held in football stadiums such as the Cold WarCold War (ice hockey)The Cold War was a college ice hockey game played between U.S. college rivals Michigan State University and the University of Michigan on Saturday, October 6, 2001...
). - Since opening the doors of the Xcel Energy Center on September 29, 2000, the Wild had a sellout for every single game, which was finally broken on October 16, 2010 (totaling 400 consecutive home games as of March 8, 2010).
Concert Tours
Lady Gaga, the Police, the Rolling Stones, Pearl Jam, Barbra Streisand, Paul McCartney, Mannheim Steamroller, Pavarotti, Elton JohnElton John
Sir Elton Hercules John, CBE, Hon DMus is an English rock singer-songwriter, composer, pianist and occasional actor...
, Billy Joel, Rod Stewart, Tim McGraw & Faith Hill, Kenny Chesney, Neil Diamond, Bruce Springsteen
Bruce Springsteen
Bruce Frederick Joseph Springsteen , nicknamed "The Boss," is an American singer-songwriter who records and tours with the E Street Band...
, Bon Jovi, Simon & Garfunkel, and three consecutive sold-out shows by hometown-favorite Prince
Prince
Prince is a general term for a ruler, monarch or member of a monarch's or former monarch's family, and is a hereditary title in the nobility of some European states. The feminine equivalent is a princess...
.
Other events
The "X" is the site of the WCHA Final Five, the Minnesota Girl's High School Volleyball Tournament, and the High School Wrestling tournaments, as well as the host of the Minnesota State High School LeagueMinnesota State High School League
The Minnesota State High School League is a voluntary, non-profit association for the support and governance of interscholastic activities at high schools in Minnesota, United States. The association supports interscholastic athletics and fine arts programs for member schools...
-sponsored volleyball state tournament. It hosted the 2002 and 2011 NCAA Frozen Four
NCAA Men's Ice Hockey Championship
The annual NCAA Men's Ice Hockey Championship tournament determines the top men's ice hockey team in NCAA Division I and Division III. The semi-finals and finals of the Division I Championship are branded as the Frozen Four, a passing nod to the NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship - known...
. The National Lacrosse League
National Lacrosse League
The National Lacrosse League is a men's professional indoor lacrosse league in North America. It currently has nine teams; three in Canada and six in the United States. Unlike other lacrosse leagues which play in the summer, the NLL plays its games in the winter and spring. Each year, the playoff...
's Minnesota Swarm
Minnesota Swarm
Minnesota Swarm is a box lacrosse team in the National Lacrosse League. The team plays on Treasure Island Field at Xcel Energy Center in Saint Paul, Minnesota....
began regular season play in the arena in January, 2005.