Target Center
NBA

Target Center

Minnesota Timberwolves

600 First Avenue North, Minneapolis, MN 55403

A Guide to Target Center

Target Center has served as the energetic anchor of downtown Minneapolis's Warehouse District since opening its doors in 1990 as a premier, purpose-built basketball arena. A major multi million modernization completed in 2017 completely transformed the venue, seamlessly blending contemporary amenities with the cultural depth of the city's nearby legendary arts and music scenes. Today, the arena is infused with a thrilling new energy as the home of the surging Minnesota Timberwolves and Minnesota Lynx, making it one of the most vibrant game-day environments in the Midwest.

Getting to the Arena

  • Driving & Parking
    Target Center is centrally located on the northwest side of downtown Minneapolis between 6th and 7th Streets, making it seamlessly accessible from several major highways. Visitors arriving from the west via I-394 East can exit directly into the connected Ramp A or Ramp B garages, while those taking I-94 East can use the North 4th Street exit, turning left onto 2nd Avenue North to access the adjacent Ramp C garage. Drivers approaching from the north via I-35W South should take the Washington Avenue exit, while those coming from the south on I-35W North can utilize the downtown exits to join North 7th Street. While there are no official, dedicated open-air surface parking lots owned by the arena, excellent accommodation is provided by the massive, skyway-connected ABC Ramps mobility hub and the nearby Hawthorne Municipal Ramp, both of which sit directly across the street, offer smooth egress post-game, and feature full ADA accessibility via elevators that lead directly into the arena's climate-controlled concourse levels.
  • Public Transit
    • METRO Train Lines
      For rail travel, fans can take either the METRO Blue Line or the METRO Green Line directly to the Warehouse District/Hennepin Avenue Station or the adjacent Target Field Station, both of which sit just steps from the arena doors.
    • Bus Routes
      An extensive network of local municipal and express bus lines provides direct access to Target Center from all quadrants of the Twin Cities, dropping off along Hennepin Avenue, 7th Street, and 8th Street. The most efficient high-frequency options include Route 4 and Route 6 serving north and south corridors via Hennepin, Route 5, Route 14, and Route 22 connecting the north and south metro, and Route 61 and Route 94 bringing in commuters from the east. Additionally, Metro Transit's rapid transit network heavily services the arena area, anchored by the METRO C Line and METRO D Line, which offer swift, specialized express service directly to the downtown entertainment core.
  • Rideshare
    The designated rideshare pickup and drop-off zones are located along the curbs of 6th Street North and 1st Avenue North, immediately bordering the arena. Fans looking to avoid the heavy post-game traffic congestion directly outside the doors are highly encouraged to walk two blocks northwest into the North Loop/Warehouse District along Washington Avenue, where it is significantly easier to pin a driver and exit the downtown grid quickly.

Pregame Festivities

Downtown Minneapolis's North Loop neighborhood has become one of the city's hottest dining and nightlife districts, and the arena is right in the middle of it.

Bars & Restaurants

  • An Irish pub on 1st Avenue near the arena offering traditional Irish fare, a full bar, and a game-night crowd. The proximity and atmosphere make it a natural pregame stop.
  • Another Irish pub near the arena with cold beer, pub food, and a loyal following among Wolves fans.
  • A historic Minneapolis bar and restaurant that has been operating since 1902. Classic American fare, cold beer, and genuine old-Minneapolis character. About a 5-minute walk from the arena.
  • A sports bar on 1st Avenue near the arena that has been a Minneapolis institution since 1941. Known for their chili (which has won multiple competitions) and a game-day atmosphere.
  • A gastropub and craft brewery on Washington Avenue in the North Loop. They brew their own beers and serve elevated pub fare. The multi-level space with a rooftop patio is a premium pregame option.
  • An Argentine restaurant in the North Loop offering empanadas, grilled meats, and Argentine wines. A unique pregame option that stands out from the typical bar fare.

Neighborhood Attractions

  • The legendary nightclub on 7th Street, about a 5-minute walk from the arena. Made famous by Prince's "Purple Rain" film, First Avenue has been one of the most important music venues in America since the 1970s. If there's a show on game night, the combination is an unforgettable Minneapolis experience.
  • A beautiful stone arch railroad bridge spanning the Mississippi River, about a 15-minute walk from the arena. It's now a pedestrian and bicycle bridge offering stunning views of the Minneapolis skyline, the river, and St. Anthony Falls. One of the most photographed spots in the city.
  • An 11-acre urban sculpture park adjacent to the Walker Art Center, about 15 minutes from the arena. The "Spoonbridge and Cherry" sculpture is Minneapolis's most iconic artwork. Free admission.
  • Located on the Minneapolis riverfront in the ruins of the Washburn A Mill (once the world's largest flour mill), about a 10-minute walk from the arena. Interactive exhibits tell the story of Minneapolis as the flour milling capital of the world.
  • One of the chain of urban lakes that define Minneapolis, about 15 minutes from the arena. The walking/biking path around the lake is a quintessential Minneapolis activity. The chain of lakes system is what makes Minneapolis feel like no other American city.

Monuments & Unique Features

  • The George Mikan Statue
    Located directly inside the front lobby/atrium of Target Center is a 9-foot bronze statue of "Mr. Basketball," George Mikan. Dedicated in 2001, it honors the legendary center who led the Minneapolis Lakers to five championships before the franchise moved to Los Angeles. It is the only major player statue physically on-site at the arena.
  • Conference & Division Banners
    2004 Western Conference Regular Season/Midwest Division Championship and the 2024 Western Conference Finals appearance.
    • The "Flip" Saunders Banner
      A permanent, non-numbered banner honors the late, legendary head coach and general manager Flip Saunders following his passing in 2015.
  • Retired Numbers
    • #2 Malik Sealy
    • #21 Kevin Garnett (Upcoming)
      Following the transition to new team ownership, the franchise reconciled with their all-time great, resulting in an ambassador role and an official jersey-retirement ceremony planned for the 2026-27 season.
  • Minnesota Lynx Dynasty Banners
    4x Championship Banners: Four large championship banners hang prominently to commemorate the team’s historic dynasty titles won in 2011, 2013, 2015, and 2017 under coach Cheryl Reeve.
  • Minnesota Lynx Retired Numbers
    • #13 Lindsay Whalen
    • #32 Rebekkah Brunson
    • #33 Seimone Augustus
    • #34 Sylvia Fowles
    • #23 Maya Moore

Seating & Special Sections

  • Lexus Courtside Club
    Floor Level / Courtside-Accessible exclusively to ticket holders in Floor Sections 1 through 10: This is the most elite, ultra-luxury hospitality space in the arena, built into what was previously the old box office. VIPs enter directly via a private valet cut-out along 1st Avenue. The 9,500-square-foot space features high-end modern industrial decor, exquisite wood paneling, and two private ornate bars. Its biggest drawing card is a five-star, all-inclusive gourmet dining experience completely guided by renowned Minneapolis chef David Fhima, coupled with direct member-only access to the arena floor.
  • U.S. Bank Backcourt Club
    Event Floor Level-Directly adjacent to the main lobby atrium: One of the newest major premium expansions at the arena, this 6,042-square-foot club delivers a cozy, modern lounge aesthetic. It uniquely features large windowed views that look inward toward the active Arena Bowl and outward onto the downtown streets of Minneapolis. It serves as an exclusive, high-end pregame and mid-game hub equipped with a massive wall-to-wall bar, 22 HD television screens, and high-quality market-style chef catering.
  • TCL SixOneTwo Lounge
    Skyway Level / 100-Level Concourse-Exclusive to ticket holders in Sections 130, 131, and 132; Rows A through V:Named after Minneapolis's iconic 612 area code, this space features a gorgeous "modern farmhouse" design aesthetic. It offers a refined, intimate retreat right off the main seating bowl. It constantly rotating food menu pairing stadium favorites with upscale local recipes, alongside a premier curated selection of Minnesota craft beers and local spirits. It is designed for fans who want quick, seamless transitions from luxury lounge tables back to their 100-level baseline seats.
  • Club TI (Treasure Island Club)
    Suite Level (Spanning across 14 baseline sections behind the visitor-side basket): Serving as one of the most energetic and entertaining premium hubs in the stadium, Club TI combines high-end hospitality with a social, high-activity environment. Along with a full premium liquor bar and an all-inclusive chef-designed menu, the space sets itself apart by operating as an upscale adult arcade/game room, packed with entertainment options like full-sized pool tables, shuffleboard, and custom lounge seating.
  • Wings Credit Union Theater Boxes
    Suite Level: Designed for smaller, intimate corporate groups or families, these micro-suites accommodate exactly 6 guests. Each box features four oversized, deeply padded opera-style chairs and two tall barstools. Positioned at perfect eye-level alignment with the arena’s massive center-hung scoreboard, they offer prime, unobstructed side-views of the court. Guests here share access to an exclusive, private Theater Box concourse bar and upscale all-inclusive catering options.
  • Executive & Party Suites
    Mid-Level Suite Deck (Encircling the arena bowl): Completely rebuilt during the arena's overhaul, the standard Executive Suites accommodate 12 to 22 guests, while the larger Party Suites expand capacity up to 30. They feature private, climate-controlled indoor living spaces, exterior stadium seating, and a premium menu completely tailored by Chef David Fhima that features locally sourced organic items, craft cocktail packages, and frequent private wine-tastings. Packages typically bundle in premium parking passes inside the connected Ramp A.

Concessions

  • Signature Items
    Target Center’s culinary program has undergone a massive modernization. In partnership with Executive Chef David Fhima and Levy Restaurants, the arena has entirely moved away from generic stadium food and traditional "Juicy Lucys" in favor of a curated, chef-driven approach that champions local BIPOC chefs, Twin Cities favorites, and high-end street food.
  • Parlour Burger
    Section 113: A massive local culinary win for Target Center, this stand serves up the famous "cult-classic" double smashburger from the North Loop's highly acclaimed Parlour Bar. Served minimally but perfectly on a rich brioche bun with gooey Swiss-American cheese.
  • David Fhima’s / Loon Lake
    Section 111: The signature hub from the arena's executive chef. This stand features upscale, restaurant-quality arena items, including a high-end Wagyu Burger Slider on brioche, Chef Fhima’s iconic Spicy Chicken Lollipops, and fresh, local organic offerings that rotate seasonally.
  • Mac Time
    Section 133: A premium, build-your-own gourmet comfort station. It features incredibly indulgent, heavy-hitting mac & cheese bowls, including their popular "Heat Check" variants (Buffalo Chicken or Nashville Hot Tot), a smoky BBQ Brisket Mac, and a loaded Bacon Mac Supreme.
  • Switch Up / Walking Taco / Rolling Smoke
    Section 126: This multi-concept culinary hub features a rotating monthly guest chef program that introduces local street foods to the stadium. Permanent fixture favorites here include loaded Walking Doritos Tacos (complete with a vegan Fritos option), house-smoked Rolling Smoke BBQ pulled pork and chicken, and the arena's famous "Raining Buckets"—a refillable, half-basketball novelty bucket packed with hot popcorn.
  • Northwood Diner
    Sections 129 & 225: Branded as "Midwest comfort with a kick," this is the primary spot for local regional staples done with a modern twist. It features their signature Hot Honey Bacon Smashburger, crispy Dill Tater Tots, and classic fried Minnesota cheese curds.
  • Bibigo
    Section 118: Bringing distinct Korean-inspired flavor profiles straight to the concourse. The menu features deeply flavorful favorites like Crunchy Orange Chicken, Lemongrass Potstickers, Turkey & Wild Rice Bowls, and Beef Bulgogi Mandu.
  • Chicken Shack
    Sections 109 & 231: The ultimate destination for crispy fried poultry. It serves up heavily portioned baskets of fan-favorite chicken tenders with seasoned crinkle-cut fries, local cheese curds, and the arena's signature spicy Howler and Prowler chicken sandwiches.
  • El Burrito Mercado
    Section 111 / Select Portables: A St. Paul institutional mainstay bringing authentic Mexican street eats to the arena. They serve up loaded El Burrito Bowls (packed with traditional Mexican rice, Tex-Mex mix, grilled sirloin steak, and zesty queso fiesta), cheesy chicken quesadillas, and crisp tortilla chips paired with a trio of fresh signature salsas.
  • Fan Classics / Frozen Spoon
    Sections 106, 136, 211, & 237: This is the arena's baseline standard for quick-service staples. Alongside classic soft-serve ice cream from the Frozen Spoon, you'll find the arena's gourmet "French Onion" and "Buffalo" specialty hot dogs, oversized Bavarian pretzels, and stadium nachos.
  • Red Baron Pizza
    Section 131: Fast, reliable, and family-friendly individual pizza slices. For dessert, this stand exclusively features the crowd-pleasing "Pazooki" a giant, warm cookie pizza baked directly into a tin.

Arena Information

Capacity
18,798
Avg Attendance
18,012
Opened
1990
Last Renovated
2017
Architect
KMR Architects, Ltd.
Construction Cost
$104 million

Notable Events

  • Kevin Garnett Era (1995-2007): KG's intensity, passion, and all-around brilliance made him the greatest player in franchise history. The 2004 MVP season and the run to the Western Conference Finals. The franchise's only conference finals appearance remain the high-water mark.
  • The 1989 Expansion: The Timberwolves entered the NBA as an expansion team in 1989, one of four expansion teams added in the late 1980s/early 1990s.

Suggested Places

Recommended places to visit near this arena