| Xcel Energy Center | |
|---|---|
| The X, The Forest, The Hive | |
| Location | 199 Kellogg Blvd W, Saint Paul, Minnesota 55102 |
| Broke ground | June 23, 1998 |
| Opened | September 29, 2000 |
| Owner | City of St. Paul |
| Operator | Minnesota Sports & Entertainment |
| Surface | Multi-surface |
| Construction cost | $130 million USD ($166 million in 2012 dollars[1]) |
| Architect | Populous (then HOK Sport) |
| Project Manager | Mortenson/Thor[2] |
| Structural engineer | Geiger Engineers PC |
| Services engineer | M*E Engineers[2] |
| General Contractor | WNW Steel Co.[3] |
| Capacity |
Ice hockey / Lacrosse: 18,064
|
| Tenants | |
| Minnesota Wild (NHL) (2000–present) Minnesota Swarm (NLL) (2005–present) |
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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.
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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 League'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. [4]
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.[4]
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 Bright Eyes, R.E.M. and Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band (with special guest John Fogerty and unannounced guest Neil Young).[5]
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, based in Brookings, South Dakota. The system includes a large LED centerhung scoreboard with multiple displays, nearly 1,100 feet (340 m) of ribbon display technology mounted on the fascia and large video displays outside the facility.[6]
Red Hot Chili Peppers, Lady Gaga, the Police, the Rolling Stones, Pearl Jam, Barbra Streisand, Paul McCartney, Mannheim Steamroller, 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.
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 League-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.
| Events and tenants | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by First Arena |
Home of the Minnesota Wild 1998 – present |
Succeeded by current |
| Preceded by Pepsi Arena Albany, New York |
Host of the Frozen Four 2002 |
Succeeded by HSBC Arena Buffalo, New York |
| Preceded by Office Depot Center |
Host of the NHL All-Star Game 2004 |
Succeeded by American Airlines Center |
| Preceded by first arena |
Home of the Minnesota Swarm 2005 – present |
Succeeded by current |
| Preceded by Madison Square Garden |
Host of the Republican National Convention 2008 |
Succeeded by St. Pete Times Forum |
| Preceded by Ford Field Detroit, Michigan |
Host of the Frozen Four 2011 |
Succeeded by St. Pete Times Forum Tampa, Florida |
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