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 one of the NBA’s older active arenas, it’s known for a pioneering green roof, a modernized concourse, and a downtown location that makes gameday logistics fairly straightforward once you know the layout.
This guide covers everything a first-time visitor or ticket buyer actually needs: what the bag policy allows and bans, where to buy tickets and when the box office is open, where to park and what it costs, 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, 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), enforces a small-bag-only policy (5″ x 9″ or smaller, plus diaper and medical bags), and sits within skyway reach of tens of thousands of downtown parking spaces. Tickets go through AXS or Ticketmaster, and the on-site box office keeps limited weekday hours.
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.
Tickets & Box Office Hours
Target Center tickets are sold through AXS.com or Ticketmaster.com depending on the event — check the event listing on the official Target Center site to see which platform applies before you buy. Resale and secondary-market sites also list Timberwolves, Lynx, and concert tickets, but pricing there is untethered from face value and varies event to event.
The on-site box office, located in the Life Time lobby at the corner of 1st Avenue and 6th Street, keeps limited hours — generally weekday mornings through early evening on select days rather than a daily walk-up window, and it does not accept cash or Apple Pay. Hours shift around events and holidays, so confirm same-day availability before making a special trip. For current ticket links, box office hours, and event-specific on-sale dates, use the official Target Center ticketing page.
Bag Policy & What to Bring
Target Center runs a small-bag-only policy rather than the clear-bag rule some other arenas use. Permitted bags are limited to roughly 5″ x 9″ or smaller — think clutch or wallet-sized — along with diaper bags and medical bags, both of which are subject to inspection at the door. Backpacks, purses larger than the size limit, clear totes, camera bags, and similar oversized bags are not allowed inside, and Target Center does not offer a bag check or coat check service, so plan to leave larger items at home or in your car.
Other entry basics: strollers are not permitted inside the arena, security uses metal detectors and bag searches at the doors, the building is entirely smoke-free with no re-entry for smoke breaks, and once you leave during an event you generally cannot come back in. For the full, current policy list before you head downtown, check the official Target Center policies and FAQ page.
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. The lower bowl (100-level sections) rings the court closest to the action and the team benches — sideline sections here put you nearest the floor, while sections behind the baskets cost less for a similar sightline. The upper bowl (200-level sections) wraps the concourse above and is the most budget-friendly way to see a full game, with center-court upper sections offering the best value-to-view tradeoff. For concerts, floor seating is typically split into numbered sections closest to and farther from the stage.
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, semi-private seating with dedicated service — all worth a look if you’re buying for a special occasion rather than a standard night out. Seat maps and section-by-section views are available on ticketing sites like Ticketmaster and AXS when you select specific seats for an event.
Planning Your Visit: Parking & Transit
Target Center sits in the heart of downtown Minneapolis, with tens of thousands of parking spaces spread across dozens of nearby lots and ramps. Ramps A, B, and C (the ABC Ramps) sit closest to the arena and are skyway-connected, so you can walk indoors from car to seat, which matters during Minnesota winters. Event-day rates at the ABC Ramps commonly run in the roughly $20-$25 range walking up, with prebooked spots through services like SpotHero or ParkWhiz often available for less — rates vary by event and demand, 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 rather than counting on drive-up availability. Guests who need elevator access should use Ramp A or B and enter at skyway level; the ADA drop-off and pick-up point is on 1st Avenue in front of the building. For current maps, rates, and event-specific parking notes, check the official Target Center parking page before you go.
Accessibility & ADA Information
Target Center is fully ADA compliant, with an accessible entrance on 6th Street near 2nd Avenue and an accessible drop-off lane on 1st Avenue. Elevators run to every level of the arena, and staff can escort guests from any entrance to their seat and back. Designated accessible seating is available throughout the bowl; guests are encouraged to bring their own wheelchairs when possible, though a limited number are available on-site for transport to and from a seat (they can’t be left with the guest during the event).
Once inside, Guest Services is located near sections 116/216 for day-of questions, and a text-to-assist line is available during events for guests who need help without leaving their seat. ASL interpreters can be requested at least 10 business days ahead of an event by contacting the venue directly. For full accessibility details and contact information, see the official Target Center ADA information page linked from its policies section.
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 a significant share of stormwater runoff each year before it can overwhelm the city’s combined sewer system, while also easing the urban heat-island effect and extending the lifespan of the roof compared to a conventional one.
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 California-based investment firm Dragoneer Investment Group, in a deal reported at a $4.5 billion valuation — one of the highest in NBA history. Lore is stepping back to focus on his food-delivery venture Wonder and is expected to retain only a limited stake, while Rodriguez remains a co-owner and the franchises’ most publicly visible face. The sale still requires NBA Board of Governors approval before it closes, so check current NBA and team reporting for the latest status before citing ownership as final.
Target Center visitor guide FAQs
What is the bag policy at Target Center?
Only small bags are allowed — about 5″ x 9″ or smaller — plus diaper bags and medical bags, which are subject to search. Backpacks, purses, camera bags, and other larger bags are not permitted, and there’s no bag check, so plan to leave oversized bags behind.
What time does the Target Center box office open?
The box office is in the Life Time lobby at 1st Avenue and 6th Street and keeps limited weekday hours rather than daily walk-up availability; it doesn’t take cash or Apple Pay. Because hours shift around events, check the official Target Center ticketing page for the current schedule before visiting in person.
How much does parking cost near Target Center?
Walk-up rates at the closest ramps (A, B, and C) commonly run in the roughly $20-$25 range for events, with prebooked spots through apps like SpotHero often cheaper than drive-up. Rates vary by event demand, so treat any number as a general guide rather than a guarantee.
How many seats does Target Center hold?
Target Center seats about 18,798 for Timberwolves and Lynx basketball games, expanding to roughly 20,500 for large concerts when the floor and upper-level configurations open up differently than a game-day layout.
Is Target Center wheelchair accessible?
Yes. The arena is fully ADA compliant, with an accessible entrance on 6th Street, elevators to every level, designated accessible seating throughout the bowl, and a limited number of on-site wheelchairs for transport to and from seats. Staff can escort guests from any entrance on request.
Where do I buy Target Center tickets?
Tickets are sold through AXS.com or Ticketmaster.com, depending on the event — check the specific event listing to see which platform is being used. Secondary-market sites also list tickets, but pricing there floats above or below face value based on demand.
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