Xcel Energy Center opened on September 29, 2000, at 199 Kellogg Boulevard West in downtown Saint Paul, Minnesota, and quickly became one of the Upper Midwest’s premier live entertainment destinations. Built at a cost of approximately $170 million and designed by HOK Sport (now Populous), the 650,000-square-foot arena earned the affectionate nickname ‘The X’ among fans and locals.
In September 2025, the venue was renamed Grand Casino Arena under a new naming rights deal with the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe, closing out 25 years under the Xcel Energy name. The building at 199 Kellogg Boulevard West hasn’t moved and the bowl hasn’t changed — this guide covers the arena’s concert history plus everything you need to actually plan a visit today, from seating and parking to tickets and bag rules.
Quick Answer
Xcel Energy Center is the former name of the downtown Saint Paul arena now called Grand Casino Arena, renamed on September 3, 2025 after the Minnesota Wild signed a new naming rights deal with the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe. It’s the same building at 199 Kellogg Boulevard West, still home to the Wild and still one of the region’s top concert venues, holding up to 20,554 for center-stage shows.
Why Was Xcel Energy Center Renamed to Grand Casino Arena?
Xcel Energy’s original naming rights deal ran 25 years, from the arena’s 2000 opening through 2025. When it expired, the Minnesota Wild and NHL announced a new agreement with the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe, owners of the Grand Casino brand, and the building was officially rechristened Grand Casino Arena on September 3, 2025.
Nothing else about the venue changed with the rebrand — same address, same seating bowl, same ownership by the City of Saint Paul, and the same operator, Minnesota Sports & Entertainment (parent company of the Wild). If you bought tickets or see a listing under either name, you’re headed to the same arena; some ticket resale sites and older listings still reference ‘Xcel Energy Center’ out of habit.
Concert History and Legendary Performances
Xcel Energy Center established itself as a world-class concert venue from its earliest seasons. Shania Twain set the single-night attendance record on October 28, 2003, drawing all 20,554 center-stage fans — a mark that stood for years. The arena went on to host an extraordinary roster of performers including Bruce Springsteen, Elton John, Paul McCartney, Billy Joel, the Rolling Stones, Barbra Streisand, Madonna, and Bon Jovi.
No performer shaped the venue’s local identity more than Minneapolis native Prince, who delivered multiple consecutive sold-out shows to adoring hometown crowds. More recently, global superstars Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, Bruno Mars, Post Malone, and Olivia Rodrigo all performed at ‘The X,’ confirming it as a must-stop on any major North American tour — a status that carries over unchanged under the Grand Casino Arena name.
Seating Chart and Concert Capacity
The arena’s hockey configuration seats 17,954 across four spectator levels — one suite/club level and three general seating levels, arranged in lower-bowl sections (101–126), a club level (C1–C40), and an upper bowl (201–230). For concerts, capacity depends on staging: a center-stage, in-the-round setup opens up the full bowl for as many as 20,554 fans, while a standard end-stage configuration (stage at one end, floor seating in front of it) holds around 12,999.
Exact seating maps shift show to show, since some sections get curtained off or reconfigured depending on the stage footprint and rigging. If you’re buying tickets, check the specific seating chart tied to your event on the vendor’s site rather than a generic venue chart, since floor and lower-bowl layouts change between an end-stage rock show, an in-the-round pop tour, and a family show.
Planning Your Visit: Tickets and Box Office
The only authorized sellers for Grand Casino Arena events are the arena’s own box office, its sales department, and SeatGeek — the venue’s official primary ticketing partner as of mid-2026, having replaced its prior provider. Buying elsewhere (SeatGeek’s Marketplace being the only authorized resale option) risks invalid tickets. The box office sits in the main lobby at the southeast entrance (Gate 1) and generally keeps Monday–Friday, midday-to-late-afternoon hours, with reduced summer hours and closures on weekends outside of event days. On event days, it typically opens several hours before the scheduled start time, and only accepts credit card payment (no cash).
Pricing follows typical arena tiers — floor and lower-bowl seats closest to the stage or ice cost the most, with club-level and upper-bowl seats priced progressively lower — and premium options like suites and loge boxes are available separately through the arena’s sales team. Because box office hours, phone numbers, and pricing can change by season and event, check the official Grand Casino Arena website for the current box office schedule, contact number, and ticket links before you go.
Parking at Grand Casino Arena
Two parking ramps connect directly to the arena complex: the RiverCentre Ramp, entered from the south side of Kellogg Boulevard, and the underground Kellogg Ramp, entered from the north side of Kellogg Boulevard between North Washington Street and 7th Street West. For most events, pre-paid parking is available in the RiverCentre Ramp, which uses license-plate-reader technology so you can pay in advance by app, QR code, or pay station without needing a physical ticket.
Ramp spaces fill quickly for popular concerts and Wild games, so booking a parking spot ahead of time and arriving at least 20–30 minutes before doors is the safest bet. Downtown Saint Paul also has surrounding surface lots and street parking within a short walk, but availability and pricing vary by event size — check the official site’s parking page for the current ramp map and rates.
Bag Policy and Prohibited Items
Grand Casino Arena runs a restrictive bag policy: purses no larger than 12″ x 12″ x 6″ are allowed through designated X-ray entry points, and small wristlets, clutches, or wallets up to 4″ x 6″ x 1.5″ are allowed at any entrance. Backpacks, coolers, and large totes aren’t permitted, and clear bags follow the same size limits as any other bag — going clear doesn’t unlock a bigger size. Medical and parenting bags are allowed with X-ray screening.
The arena doesn’t offer bag check or storage, so if you show up with something oversized, plan to leave it in your car — it won’t be held at the door. Other commonly flagged items include weapons of any kind, professional cameras or detachable-lens equipment, laptops and tablets, outside food and drinks, and umbrellas longer than 18 inches when collapsed. Pets aren’t allowed except trained service animals.
Design, Ownership, and a New Era
Designed by HOK Sport (now Populous) and owned by the City of Saint Paul, the arena is operated by Minnesota Sports & Entertainment, parent company of the NHL’s Minnesota Wild. The building features distinctive ‘crow’s nest’ structures at each corner, one housing a pipe organ and another a foghorn sounded during Wild home games — details that carried over unchanged through the 2025 rebrand.
The renaming closed the chapter on ‘The X’ as generations of Saint Paul concertgoers knew it, but the building continues to serve the city as a hub for concerts, Minnesota Wild hockey, and large-scale gatherings under its new identity as Grand Casino Arena.
Xcel Energy Center / Grand Casino Arena visitor and concert guide FAQs
Is Xcel Energy Center still called that?
No — as of September 3, 2025, the arena is officially named Grand Casino Arena under a new naming rights deal with the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe. It’s the same building at 199 Kellogg Boulevard West in downtown Saint Paul.
Where is Xcel Energy Center / Grand Casino Arena located?
The arena is at 199 Kellogg Boulevard West in downtown Saint Paul, Minnesota. The address hasn’t changed with the 2025 rebrand.
What is the concert capacity of Grand Casino Arena?
Center-stage concert configurations hold up to 20,554 fans, while end-stage shows accommodate around 12,999. The hockey configuration seats 17,954.
How do I buy tickets to a show at Grand Casino Arena?
The only authorized sellers are the arena’s box office, its sales department, and SeatGeek, the venue’s official ticketing partner. Check the official Grand Casino Arena website for links to the current on-sale and event schedule.
What is the bag policy at Grand Casino Arena?
Purses up to 12″ x 12″ x 6″ are allowed through X-ray screening, and small clutches or wallets up to 4″ x 6″ x 1.5″ are allowed at any door. Backpacks and coolers aren’t permitted, and there’s no bag check, so oversized bags need to stay in your car.
Where should I park for a Grand Casino Arena event?
The RiverCentre Ramp and the underground Kellogg Ramp both connect directly to the arena. Pre-paid parking is typically available in the RiverCentre Ramp and is recommended in advance since ramp spaces fill quickly for popular events.
Why was Xcel Energy Center renamed?
After 25 years under the Xcel Energy naming rights agreement, that deal expired and a new one was reached with the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe. The Wild and NHL announced the change in June 2025, and the arena was officially renamed Grand Casino Arena on September 3, 2025.
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