Target Center is a downtown Minneapolis arena that opened on October 13, 1990, becoming the home of the NBA’s Minnesota Timberwolves and later the WNBA’s Minnesota Lynx. Located at 600 First Avenue North, it stands as the second-oldest active NBA arena, trailing only New York’s Madison Square Garden.
Built at a cost of roughly $104 million, Target Center has undergone several major renovations over the decades, most notably a $140 million overhaul completed in 2017 that modernized seating, technology, and the building’s exterior while preserving its role as one of downtown Minneapolis’s premier event venues.
Stats at a Glance
- Team(s): Minnesota Timberwolves (NBA), Minnesota Lynx (WNBA)
- Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Opened: October 13, 1990
- Capacity: About 18,798 (basketball); up to 20,500 for concerts
- Construction Cost: About $104 million
- Major Renovation: $140 million upgrade completed in 2017
- Notable Fact: First arena in North America to install a green roof (2009)
The Arena Experience
Target Center serves as the year-round home court for both the Minnesota Timberwolves and Minnesota 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, as well as countless concerts thanks to a configuration that can expand seating to roughly 20,500 for major touring acts.
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, covering roughly 2.5 acres with sedums and native Minnesota prairie plants designed to capture nearly a million gallons of stormwater annually. That environmental milestone came alongside a broader push to keep the aging arena competitive.
The most extensive update came via a 2014-2017 renovation costing about $140 million, funded through a mix of city and ownership contributions, which refreshed the arena’s seating bowl, video and sound technology, and street-level exterior to better integrate the building into the surrounding downtown Minneapolis entertainment district.
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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 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 20,500 for concerts.
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Photo: Bobak Ha’Eri / CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.