Step Inside: Target Center – Home of the Timberwolves, Lynx

Home of the Minnesota Timberwolves & Lynx

Situated in the center of downtown Minneapolis, Target Center has welcomed over 36 million guests and hosted more than 5,000 different kinds of events since opening in 1990. With its various skyway entrances and rich history, the venue has become an integral part of the entertainment scene in Minneapolis. Continue reading below to learn more about Target Center and its unique features and historic events. 

Target Center History

As the second-oldest arena in the NBA circuit after Madison Square Garden, Target Center has served as a fantastic setting to enjoy a variety of entertainment. 

The arena has been the home to the NBA’s Minnesota Timberwolves since opening in 1990 and also houses the WNBA’s Minnesota Lynx as of 1999. In 1991, the arena hosted the historic U.S. Figure Skating Championships, where skater Tonya Harding became the first American woman and second in the entire world to complete a triple axel jump during a competition; taking home the gold medal. 

Besides being a go-to for sporting events, the arena has welcomed many artists to its stage, including Taylor Swift, Billy Joel, Celine Dion, Garth Brooks, Elton John, Katy Perry, Metallica, Paul McCartney, and Minneapolis-born legend, Prince.

On top of its famed event history, Target Center’s architecture adds flair to the otherwise unsuspecting stadium. Being one of two arenas in the country with a moveable floor that can be fully raised or lowered within 25 minutes, Target Center is able to curate its sightlines to accommodate various events. In 2009, Target Center installed a green roof, being the first North American arena to do so. Said roof is the fifth-largest green roof in the nation and is meant to capture 1 million gallons of storm water to prevent excessive drainage into the Mississippi River.

Parking and Admission at Target Center

Target Center is located at 600 N 1st Avenue North in the Warehouse and Entertainment District of Minneapolis. There are 38 different parking lots and ramps throughout the downtown area, with most being a short walk or convenient bus and light rail connection to Target Center. Target Center is accessible by skyway from many of the surrounding parking lots. 

Target Center recommends booking parking in advance through SpotHero. To receive a discount on parking spots, visit the Target Center SpotHero parking page and book a spot with rates up to 50% off drive-up. There are also limited on-street, meter-controlled parking spots throughout downtown. To avoid the hassle of parking, visitors can purchase a valet add-on to their tickets.

Bags brought to the venue should be no larger than 5″ x 9″. Diaper bags and medical bags are subject to search upon entry. 

The following items are prohibited: Outside food and beverage, aerosol cans, apparel with explicit wording and/or graphics, artificial noisemakers, video/audio recording devices, basketballs, binoculars, coolers, computers, drones, fireworks, frisbees, full facial coverings, glass/metal beverage containers, hockey or lacrosse sticks, illegal drugs, inflatable items, laser pointers, pets of any kind (with the exception of service animals), signs larger than 11″ x 17″, signs on sticks, spiked jewelry, strollers, suitcases, tripods, umbrellas, wallet chains, weapons of any kind, and whistles/horns.

Target Center Capacity & Seating Options

Target Center has the capacity for up to 20,500 fans for concerts, adjusting its seating arrangements to accommodate the needs of different types of events. The arena can accommodate up to 18,798 for basketball games. With full wrap-around stadium seating, there’s really no bad vantage point in the arena. View the seating configurations at Target Center.

Given their proximity to the court and sightlines to the action, sections 109-113 and 129-133, located along the sidelines on the lower level, are considered to be some of the best seats in the arena for a game. The home players sit in front of section 132 and 133 and the visiting team sits in front of section 129 and 130. 

For concerts, floor seats in sections floor 1, 2, 3 and 4 have the guests situated closest to the music, with section 101, 104, 138 and 201 directly across from the stage providing an elevated vantage point to take in the show.

Target Center is ADA certified, with a full range of accommodations for guests with disabilities. Offerings include various seating arrangements, wheelchairs, ASL interpreters, assisted listening devices and accommodations for guests with visual impairments and service animals. 

There are several options for VIP seating and experiences at Target Center. Club TI at Target Center is one of the most popular seating options for guests who want an elevated experience. There are fourteen Club TI sections on the suite level located above sections 118-124. Guests in this area are seated on a theater-style chair in a semi-private box. Timberwolves and Lynx-event specific seating arrangements are the Lexus Courtside Club, where fans can feel as though they are part of the action, sitting right next to the courts, as well as the TCL Theater Boxes, where ticket holders receive exclusive access to the TCL Six One Two Lounge.

Food & Beverage Options at Target Center

There are many different vendors situated on level 100 and 200 of Target Center with an assortment of food and beverages. There are vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options available at multiple locations in Target Center. Fan favorites include Soul Bowl (section 106), Fhima’s Minneapolis’ (section 126) Spicy Chicken Lollipops and Parlour Burger’s (section 113).