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Saint Paul, MN
Localtime

Grand Casino Arena

The downtown Saint Paul arena formerly known as Xcel Energy Center, pairing strong hockey sightlines with busy ramps… Read more

Event-day essentials

Plan in 60 seconds

Reviewed 8.8.26

Bags & entry
Official bag & entry policy (opens in a new tab)
View bag-size diagram

FanProof visual guide

Small clutch / wallet

Small clutch / wallet

no larger than4 × 6 × 1.5 in

4 in6 in1.5 in

Most bags are restricted; the small clutch or wallet shown is generally permitted.

Medical, accessibility, or childcare exceptions may apply after screening.

Individual events may use stricter or different rules. Recheck the official policy before leaving.

Verified 9.22.26Official policy (opens in a new tab)
Seat maps (opens in a new tab)
Parking
Official parking & directions (opens in a new tab)Reserve a downtown Saint Paul ramp or use transit, then confirm whether the selected route includes an indoor connection.
Arrive
About 60 minutes early for hockey and 75 minutes for concerts or a first visit
Exact location
199 W Kellogg Boulevard, Saint Paul, MN 55102Open directions (opens in a new tab)
Getting there
METRO Green Line serves Central station several blocks away, and multiple bus routes serve downtown; check weather, service alerts, and the final walk.
NearbyDining near Grand Casino Arena (opens in a new tab)Drinks near Grand Casino Arena (opens in a new tab)Stay near Grand Casino Arena (opens in a new tab)
MerchHockey Lodge at Gate 1 and Section 104
  • The main Hockey Lodge is at Gate 1 near Section 104.
  • Additional game-day stores are at Gate 2 near Section 109, on Club Level near C9, and on the 200 Level near Section 216.
  • Smaller merchandise kiosks are near Sections 101 and 120.
Official merch details (opens in a new tab)
Real fan takeYou can grab a quick drink/eats if you are early.One fan's perspective. Verify variable details with official venue guidance.
Wide interior view of the hockey bowl during an NCAA Frozen Four game at Grand Casino Arena, under its former Xcel Energy Center name.
Photo credits
Photo: Tony Webster, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Cropped for layout.Photo source (opens in a new tab)License (opens in a new tab)
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Home teams
Minnesota Wild / Minnesota Frost
Upcoming Events

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Check official venue information ↗
Venue details
Venue typeArena
Capacity17,954published capacity
Your visit checklist Save, copy or print

Get ready for Grand Casino Arena

199 W Kellogg Boulevard, Saint Paul, MN 55102

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Visit preparation checklist

Open your ticket and confirm the event date, door time, seat or standing area, and ticket delivery instructions.

Official venue event information (opens in a new tab)

Most bags are restricted; the small clutch or wallet shown is generally permitted. Medical, accessibility, or childcare exceptions may apply after screening. Individual events may use stricter or different rules.

Official venue policies (opens in a new tab)

Destination: Grand Casino Arena, 199 W Kellogg Boulevard, Saint Paul, MN 55102. About 60 minutes early for hockey and 75 minutes for concerts or a first visit. METRO Green Line serves Central station several blocks away, and multiple bus routes serve downtown; check weather, service alerts, and the final walk. Reserve a downtown Saint Paul ramp or use transit, then confirm whether the selected route includes an indoor connection.

Directions to this venue (opens in a new tab)Official parking / arrival information (opens in a new tab)

This guide does not yet establish Grand Casino Arena’s accessible seating or step-free entrance. Ask the venue about the exact seat, entrance and route before buying.

Official accessibility guide (opens in a new tab)Seat maps (opens in a new tab)

This guide does not yet establish Grand Casino Arena’s payment methods or water-bottle rules. Check the official visitor information before leaving.

Official venue policies (opens in a new tab)

METRO Green Line serves Central station several blocks away, and multiple bus routes serve downtown; check weather, service alerts, and the final walk. Confirm return service and last departures for your event’s finish time.

Plan your route home from this venue (opens in a new tab)

Checking an item records your preparation. It does not confirm a ticket, reserve a seat or guarantee admission. Saved plans do not sync between devices.

Find your section

Seating maps & views

Match the layout to your event before choosing seats. Stage position, floor seating, standing areas, and available sections can change.

Real photos from the seats

Browse Grand Casino Arena photos by section and compare the sightlines, railings, and stage views. Check the event and photo date; zoom can make the stage look closer.

View seat photos on A View From My Seat (opens in a new tab)

Plan your visit

Arrival and logisticsBefore you goTransit, parking, timing and entry details

Need to Know

Best for
A hockey-focused bowl in downtown Saint Paul for Wild and Frost events
Watch out for
The 2025 name change, event-specific entry rules, winter sidewalks, ramp queues, and busy postgame transit
Good arrival window
About 60 minutes early for hockey and 75 minutes for concerts or a first visit
Main transit note
METRO Green Line serves Central station several blocks away, and multiple bus routes serve downtown; check weather, service alerts, and the final walk.
Sources1 fan · 3 officialReviewed 8.8.26Sources for Need to Know

Fan discussions are anecdotal, not a consensus.

Parking At A Glance

Parking difficulty

Parking options (opens in a new tab)

High

What to do
Reserve a downtown Saint Paul ramp or use transit, then confirm whether the selected route includes an indoor connection.
Best option
A prepaid downtown ramp or METRO Green Line with a planned walk
Avoid
Assuming old Xcel Energy Center signs or map listings reflect the current gate and parking name
Sources1 fan · 3 officialReviewed 8.8.26Sources for Parking At A Glance

Fan discussions are anecdotal, not a consensus.

Seats and atmosphereChoose your experienceSightlines, supporter sections, crowd flow and event-day character

Inside the Venue At A Glance

01

Positive

Hockey sightlines & atmosphere

The arena has a hockey-oriented bowl and focused game presentation. Wild and Frost events can create different crowd patterns, so exact event guidance still matters.

02

Mixed

Downtown access & winter

Downtown ramps and transit provide several approaches, but cold, ice, and wind can make even a short outdoor connection consequential.

03

Mixed

Renamed venue wayfinding

The building became Grand Casino Arena in September 2025. Older tickets and maps may still say Xcel Energy Center, so current official materials are the safer reference.

Sources1 fan · 3 officialReviewed 8.8.26Sources for Inside the Venue At A Glance

FanProof editorial synthesis; linked fan discussions are anecdotal, not a consensus.

Fit and tradeoffsWhat to expectThe practical strengths and the details that could change your choice

Why it works

  • ✓The bowl is well suited to hockey sightlines and atmosphere.
  • ✓Downtown Saint Paul offers several transit and dining options.
  • ✓The arena hosts both top-level men's and women's hockey.
Sources3 officialReviewed 8.8.26Sources for Why it works

FanProof editorial synthesis; no fan consensus is claimed.

Know before you book

  • ×Ramp and street exits can be slow after major events.
  • ×Winter conditions complicate outdoor portions of the route.
  • ×Old Xcel naming can still create wayfinding confusion.
Sources3 officialReviewed 8.8.26Sources for Know before you book

FanProof editorial synthesis; no fan consensus is claimed.

Editorial verdict

FanProof Takeaway

Reviewed 8.8.26

Search and navigate by Grand Casino Arena, build the route around winter conditions, and reserve the ramp or transit plan before event day.

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