Venue Guide: Mayo Civic Center Arena – Rochester, MN

Mayo Civic Center History

In the southeast Minnesota city of Rochester, the Mayo Civic Center has been a regional sports and entertainment hub since first opening its doors in 1939 as a joint athletic and performing-arts facility. But following periodic expansions over the decades, the site now stands as a massive, multiuse convention center that includes a 40,000-square-foot ballroom, the 7,200-capacity Arena, the 3,000-capacity Auditorium and a 1,000-seat theater (aka Presentation Hall).

Mayo Civic Center Performers

The Mayo Civic Center’s arena has welcomed in several generations of rock legends, from Aerosmith and KISS to Wilco and Sheryl Crow. And of course, this being the Midwest, country music has always had a strong presence at the Mayo, with the likes of Johnny Cash and Conway Twitty holding court here in the ‘80s, and Little Big Town and Trace Adkins performing here in the 2010s. Presentation Hall, meanwhile, has welcomed in everyone from indie veterans Low to folk hero Gordon Lightfoot.

Planning Your Visit to Mayo Civic Center

The Mayo Civic Center is located just a few blocks east of Rochester’s bustling Broadway Avenue strip, where you’ll find plenty of pre-show dining options, including the elevated comfort food of Chester’s Kitchen & Bar (part of the Shops at University Square mall) and the seafood fare of Pescara (in the nearby DoubleTree by Hilton hotel).

Mayo Civic Center Frequently Asked Questions/h2>

What are the Mayo Civic Center parking options?

The Mayo Civic Center has three main parking lots: the Civic Center Ramp (located on the west side of Civic Center Drive, across the street from the center); the Civic Center South Lot (across the river from the Mayo Civic Center); and the Civic Center lot on the north side.

Does Mayo Civic Center serve food?

Concession stands and vending machines are available during concert and sporting events.

What are the seating options at Mayo Civic Center?

The Mayo Civic Center arena features two tiers of seating in the stands and a floor section that alternates between reserved seating and general admission, depending on the event. Both the Auditorium and Presentation Hall are divided between balcony and floor seating.

What are Mayo Civic Center’s safety & security guidelines?

All guests are subjected to a search prior to entering the venue, and permissible bags will undergo an inspection by security personnel.

Image courtesy of Facebook

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