Xcel Energy Center
St. Paul, MN · Pro Hockey
Founding membership for Wild fans. Free, verified, permanent.
- Member cap
- 17,954
- Cost to join
- Free
- Verification
- Email + Phone
- Status
- Open
— verified members.
Venue encyclopedia
Independent, no paid placements
What attending a pro hockey game at the St. Paul, MN venue is actually like: seating, arrival, weather, food, and the seats we'd point a friend toward (or away from).
- Opened
- 2000
- Capacity
- 17,954
- Roof
- Indoor / climate-controlled
- Orientation
- Indoor, climate-controlled arena (no roof exposure). Widely regarded as one of the best hockey buildings in the league for its intimate, steep bowl. Three seating levels: lower bowl (100s), club and suites (200s), and upper bowl (300s), all pulled close to the ice with a center-hung scoreboard over the sheet.
Neighborhood
In downtown St. Paul, connected to the RiverCentre convention complex and a short walk from the downtown core near the Mississippi River. The METRO Green Line light rail runs through downtown St. Paul and connects to Minneapolis, and downtown bars and restaurants are within walking distance. This is a walkable, transit-served downtown arena; the pre-game and post-game scene is right around it, weather permitting.
What it feels like
The heart of the State of Hockey, and it plays like it. Wild crowds are among the most passionate and knowledgeable in the league, the steep bowl keeps every seat close, and the building is genuinely loud from puck drop. Game day carries deep Minnesota hockey pride: the green-and-red crowd, the goal song and horn, and playoff whiteouts and towels waving through the bowl. Connected to RiverCentre and served by the Green Line, it is walkable and easy to reach, and the atmosphere ranks with the best in hockey.
Seating tiers
Lower bowl (100s)
Rows 1-20Closest to the ice, wrapping the full sheet in an intimate bowl where even mid-price seats feel close. Premium at center ice.
Club / suite level (200s)
Mid-level with wider padded seats, indoor club access, and shorter lines.
Upper bowl (300s)
Rows 1-20Steep and remarkably close for an upper level, with clean sightlines to the whole sheet. The best value in a building where no seat is far.
Sections we'd pick
- Lower-bowl center ice (100s along the sides) for the closest straight-on view of the whole sheet
- Upper-bowl center ice (300s along the sides) for the best value and a full read of the play in an unusually close upper deck
- Lower-bowl seats behind the goal the Wild attack twice for close-up scoring action
Sections we'd skip
- The corners of the lower bowl at ice level, where the near glass blocks the far side of the sheet
- The very top rows of the upper bowl if you want the tightest read on the puck at the far end
Arrival
- Primary route
- I-94 and I-35E reach downtown St. Paul with exits near the arena; surface streets through downtown feed the garages and lots.
- Rail / transit
- The METRO Green Line light rail runs through downtown St. Paul with a stop a short walk from the arena and connects directly to Minneapolis. It is a strong option, especially from the Twin Cities corridor and the University of Minnesota.
- Rideshare
- Designated drop-off and pickup zones near the arena. Post-game demand is heavy as the crowd leaves at once; walking a block into downtown for a pickup trims the surge.
- Parking
- 12,000 spots across 15 lots , median $18 . Prepay recommended.
- Walk to gates
- ~8 minutes (median)
- Notes
- Downtown garages and lots surround the arena, and the enclosed skyway system connects many of them, a real plus in winter. Pre-pay for the closest on marquee dates. The Green Line makes transit an easy alternative. Counts and prices vary, so confirm current rates.
Weather and timing
Roof
Indoor
Indoor and fully climate-controlled, warm and comfortable inside regardless of the season. The exposure is the walk from parking or the light-rail stop; Minnesota winters are cold and snowy, so bundle up for the trek in, though the RiverCentre skyway connection helps.
Food inside
Minnesota touches on the concourses: Juicy Lucy burgers (cheese sealed inside the patty), local walleye, brats and state-fair-style options, and a deep roster of Minnesota craft beer alongside the hockey-night staples. The walleye and Juicy Lucy stands are the local picks worth the line.
Food and pre-game outside
Downtown St. Paul's bars and restaurants are within a short walk, many reachable through the enclosed skyway system in cold weather, and the Green Line extends the options toward Minneapolis. West Seventh Street near the arena has a cluster of pre-game and post-game spots.
Accessibility
ADA seating with companion seats on every level and accessible routes from all gates. Accessible parking in the downtown garages near the entrances, many connected by the skyway; the Green Line light-rail stop and platforms are accessible. Sensory resources are available through guest services.
Worth knowing before you go
- Take the Green Line or use the skyway-connected garages; the enclosed skyways are a real advantage on cold nights.
- This is the State of Hockey; expect a loud, knowledgeable crowd, a goal horn, and playoff whiteouts with towels waving.
- Bag policy is limited; check the current policy on the team site before you go.
- Cashless throughout the venue.
What Wild fans get
- A permanent member number that reflects when you joined. The lower the number, the higher your standing — forever.
- Priority access to seat opportunities at Xcel Energy Center. Seniority determines order. No luck involved.
- First look at every new perk, partner offer, and member event — founding members always hear before anyone else.
- Founding Member status. This tier closes when the roster fills at 17,954. It doesn't reopen.
Wild fans: your spot is waiting.
Free founding membership. Verified by email and phone. Your member number is permanent — the earlier you join, the higher your standing. One Pro Hockey membership per fan.
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