Target Center is the downtown Minneapolis arena that’s been home to the Minnesota Timberwolves since 1990 and the Minnesota Lynx since the WNBA franchise launched in 1999. Beyond its status as the NBA’s second-oldest active arena, it’s known for a pioneering green roof, a modernized concourse, and a downtown location that makes gameday logistics — parking, transit, and getting through the doors — fairly straightforward once you know the layout.
This guide covers everything a first-time visitor or ticket buyer actually needs: where to park and what it costs, how the bag policy works, where the box office is and when it’s open, how the seating bowl and premium clubs are configured, accessibility options, and the arena’s ongoing ownership changes — alongside the history and green-roof story that make Target Center distinct among NBA venues.
Quick Answer
Target Center is a city-owned arena at 600 First Avenue North in downtown Minneapolis, opened October 13, 1990, and home to the NBA’s Minnesota Timberwolves and WNBA’s Minnesota Lynx. It seats about 18,798 for basketball (up to roughly 20,500 for concerts), sits within skyway reach of nearly 25,000 downtown parking spaces, and was the first arena in North America to install a green roof.
The Arena Experience
Target Center serves as the year-round home court for both the Timberwolves and Lynx, drawing crowds that regularly approach the arena’s basketball capacity of about 18,798. Beyond basketball, the venue has hosted major events including the 1994 NBA All-Star Game and the 2022 NCAA Women’s Final Four, plus a steady stream of touring concerts thanks to a configuration that expands to roughly 20,500 seats for major shows.
The Lynx have used the arena as the backdrop for championship celebrations, including their first WNBA title run in 2011, cementing Target Center’s place in Minnesota sports history alongside its basketball tenants. Metro Transit buses and the Blue and Green light-rail lines both stop within a short walk of the building, which is part of why it remains one of the easier NBA venues to reach without a car.
A Modernized, Sustainable Venue
Target Center made headlines in 2009 when it became the first arena in North America to install a green roof. At 2.5 acres, it’s among the largest green roofs in the country, planted with sedum mats and native Minnesota prairie species. The roof is designed to capture roughly a million gallons of stormwater a year before it can overwhelm the city’s combined sewer system, while also easing the urban heat-island effect and roughly doubling the lifespan of a conventional roof.
That environmental milestone came alongside a broader push to keep the aging arena competitive. The most extensive update was a 2014-2017 renovation costing about $140 million, funded through a mix of city and ownership contributions, which refreshed the seating bowl, video and sound technology, and street-level exterior to better integrate the building into the surrounding downtown entertainment district.
Who Owns the Timberwolves and Lynx Now
In 2025, the NBA Board of Governors approved the sale of the Timberwolves and Lynx to Marc Lore and Alex Rodriguez for roughly $1.5 billion, ending a multi-year ownership dispute with longtime owner Glen Taylor. That deal closed in mid-2025, making Lore and Rodriguez the controlling owners of both franchises for the first time since they initially agreed to buy in back in 2021.
As of late August 2026, ownership is shifting again: Lore has agreed to sell his controlling stake to Marc Stad, founder of the investment firm Dragoneer, in a deal reported at a $4.5 billion valuation. The sale still requires NBA Board of Governors approval before it closes, and Alex Rodriguez is expected to remain a co-owner and the franchises’ most publicly visible face throughout the transition. Because approval timelines can shift, check current NBA and team reporting for the latest status before citing ownership as final.
Planning Your Visit: Parking & Transit
Target Center sits in the heart of downtown Minneapolis, with nearly 25,000 parking spaces spread across roughly 38 lots and ramps nearby. Ramps A, B, and C sit closest to the arena, with A and B connected directly by skyway so you can walk indoors from car to seat, which matters during Minnesota winters. Typical event parking runs in the roughly $9-$15 range at nearby ramps, with premium ramps like Hawthorne pricing higher for marquee events — rates vary by event, so treat any figure as a ballpark rather than a guarantee.
Street parking is limited and metered, so most regular attendees reserve a ramp spot in advance through services like SpotHero, which typically discounts against drive-up rates, rather than counting on drive-up availability. Groups arriving by bus can reserve dedicated parking through Minneapolis Parking’s event line. Guests who need elevator access should use Ramp A or B and enter at skyway level; the designated ADA drop-off and pick-up point is at the corner of 1st Avenue and 6th Street, through the Life Time Lobby entrance. For current maps, rates, and event-specific parking notes, check the official Target Center parking page before you go.
Seating Chart, Premium Clubs & Best Seats
Target Center’s bowl holds about 18,798 for basketball, expanding to roughly 20,500 for large concerts by opening the floor and upper-level configurations differently than a game-day layout. For basketball, lower-bowl sections along the sidelines put you closest to the action and the team benches, while upper-level seats behind the baskets are the most budget-friendly way to see a full game.
Beyond standard bowl seating, the arena offers several premium tiers: Club TI and the Chairman’s Club combine lounge access with in-seat service, the U.S. Bank Backcourt Club sits floor-level with arena-bowl views, and Theater Boxes offer small-group, all-inclusive seating for up to six people. Each tier comes with different amenities and price points, so compare the seating chart against your budget before buying.
Box Office & Tickets
The box office is located in the Life Time Lobby at 1st Avenue and 6th Street. On non-event days it generally keeps weekday business hours, while on event nights it stays open later, typically until shortly after the show or game tips off — hours can shift around Lynx game days, so it’s worth confirming before an important trip.
Tickets for Timberwolves, Lynx, and concert events are sold through the venue’s official ticketing partners as well as the secondary market. For the current schedule, verified seating maps, and official pricing, visit the official Target Center ticketing page.
Bag Policy & Arena Rules
Target Center runs a restrictive bag policy rather than a clear-bag policy. Small clutches or wallets no larger than 5″ x 9″, along with diaper bags and medical bags, are permitted but subject to search at entry. Backpacks, purses, camera bags, coolers, suitcases, and clear totes over that size are not allowed inside, and there’s no on-site bag check at the arena — so it’s worth leaving larger bags at home or in the car rather than arriving with one and hoping to check it.
If you do arrive with a bag that won’t pass the size limit, storage lockers are sometimes available outside the arena as a workaround. Because policies can be adjusted for specific events, it’s best to confirm current rules on the official Target Center site before an important trip.
Accessibility at Target Center
Target Center offers accessible seating throughout the bowl, including companion seating for guests using wheelchairs. Elevator access is available through Ramp A or B at skyway level, and the designated ADA drop-off and pick-up point is at the corner of 1st Avenue and 6th Street via the Life Time Lobby entrance. If you need accessible seating or have specific mobility questions, contact guest services or the box office ahead of your visit rather than assuming availability at the door, since accessible sections can sell out for high-demand games.
Design credit: Target Center comes from Ellerbe Becket — see our profile of the firm for its other landmark venues.
Target Center Minneapolis FAQs
How many seats does Target Center have?
Target Center holds about 18,798 seats for Timberwolves and Lynx basketball games, expanding to roughly 20,500 for major concerts when the floor and upper-level configurations open up differently than a game-day layout.
Where is the best place to park at Target Center?
Ramps A and B are the most convenient, since both connect directly to the arena by skyway, letting you walk indoors from car to seat. Booking ahead through a service like SpotHero is usually cheaper and more reliable than counting on drive-up spots.
What is Target Center’s bag policy?
Bags up to 5″ x 9″ are allowed, along with diaper bags and medical bags, all subject to search. Backpacks, purses, camera bags, coolers, suitcases, and larger totes are not permitted, and there’s no on-site bag check.
Who owns the Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx now?
Marc Lore and Alex Rodriguez became controlling owners in mid-2025 after buying the teams from Glen Taylor for roughly $1.5 billion. As of late August 2026, Lore has agreed to sell his controlling stake to Marc Stad at a reported $4.5 billion valuation, pending NBA approval, while Rodriguez is expected to remain a co-owner.
When is the Target Center box office open?
The box office in the Life Time Lobby generally keeps weekday business hours on non-event days and stays open later on event nights, typically until shortly after the show or game starts. Hours can shift around Lynx games, so it’s worth double-checking before you go.
Is Target Center wheelchair accessible?
Yes. Accessible seating is available throughout the bowl, elevator access runs through Ramp A or B at skyway level, and the ADA drop-off point is at 1st Avenue and 6th Street through the Life Time Lobby entrance.
What makes Target Center’s green roof notable?
Installed in 2009, it was the first green roof on an arena in North America. At 2.5 acres and planted with sedum and native prairie species, it captures roughly a million gallons of stormwater a year and reduces the urban heat-island effect downtown.
Can I get to Target Center without driving?
Yes. Metro Transit buses and the Blue and Green light-rail lines both stop within a short walk of the arena, making transit a practical alternative to parking downtown.
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