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, how the bag policy works, where the box office is and when it’s open, how the seating bowl and premium clubs are configured, and the arena’s recent ownership change — 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), offers ramp parking connected via skyway, and is famous as 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.
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 sedums and native Minnesota prairie species like lupine, wild strawberry, and dotted blazing star. The roof is designed to capture roughly a million gallons of stormwater a year, reducing runoff into the Mississippi River and easing the urban heat-island effect, with an expected lifespan of around 40 years.
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.
New Ownership Era
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. The transaction closed in mid-2025, making Lore and Rodriguez the controlling owners of both franchises — and of Target Center’s primary tenants — for the first time since they initially agreed to buy in over the property in 2021.
Planning Your Visit: Parking & Transit
Target Center sits in the heart of downtown Minneapolis, surrounded by thousands of parking spaces across nearby ramps and lots. 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. Street parking is limited and metered, so most regular attendees reserve a ramp spot in advance through services like SpotHero rather than counting on drive-up availability.
The arena is also well served by Metro Transit buses and the Blue and Green light-rail lines, both of which stop within a short walk of the building. 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, Box Office & Tickets
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. 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.
The box office is located in the Life Time Lobby at 1st Avenue and 6th Street and is generally open weekdays during business hours on non-event days, with extended hours on event nights that run until shortly after the show or game begins; it’s typically closed during Lynx games. 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, and clear totes are not allowed inside, so it’s worth leaving larger bags at home or in the car rather than arriving with one and hoping to check it. Because policies can be adjusted for specific events, it’s best to confirm current rules on the official site before an important show or game.
Food & Premium Experiences
Concessions at Target Center lean local, featuring Minneapolis-area names like Soul Bowl, Parlour, Fhima’s, and Pizzeria Lola alongside standard arena fare. Suite and premium-club menus go further, built around locally sourced dishes designed by Minneapolis chef David Fhima, with craft cocktails, regional spirits, and rotating wine selections available to suite and club-seat holders.
Target Center FAQs
What teams play at Target Center?
Target Center is the home arena of the NBA’s Minnesota Timberwolves and the WNBA’s Minnesota Lynx.
When did Target Center open?
Target Center opened on October 13, 1990, after groundbreaking in July 1988, making it the NBA’s second-oldest active arena after Madison Square Garden.
What is Target Center’s seating capacity?
The arena holds about 18,798 fans for basketball games and can be configured for up to roughly 20,500 for concerts.
Where do you park at Target Center?
Ramps A, B, and C are closest to the arena, with A and B linked by skyway for indoor access. Street parking is limited, so booking a ramp spot in advance through a service like SpotHero is recommended.
What is Target Center’s bag policy?
Only small clutches or wallets up to 5″ x 9″, plus diaper and medical bags, are allowed inside (subject to search). Backpacks, purses, camera bags, and clear bags are prohibited.
Where is the Target Center box office and when is it open?
The box office is in the Life Time Lobby at 1st Avenue and 6th Street, generally open weekday business hours on non-event days and later into event evenings, though it’s typically closed during Lynx games.
Who owns Target Center’s teams now?
Marc Lore and Alex Rodriguez became controlling owners of the Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx after the NBA approved their roughly $1.5 billion purchase, with the sale closing in 2025.
Does Target Center have a green roof?
Yes. Installed in 2009, it was the first green roof on a North American arena, covering 2.5 acres with sedums and prairie plants and capturing an estimated one million gallons of stormwater annually.
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