Grand Casino Arena
Grand Casino Arena, known as “The X”, in Saint Paul, Minnesota is home to the Minnesota Wild (NHL, Central Division) and the Minnesota Frost (PWHL, women’s pro). It opened in 2000, making it 26 years old in 2026 and seats 17,954 for hockey. That makes it the 21st-largest rink in NHL.
Its record crowd is 21,609 hockey (2015 Minnesota State Boys' Hockey Tournament Class AA semifinals, March 6, 2015).
Rink facts
- Location
- Saint Paul, Minnesota
- Home of
- Minnesota Wild
Minnesota Frost - League
- NHL · Central Division
PWHL · Western Conference - Opened
- 2000
- Capacity
- 17,954
- Nickname
- The X
- Former names
- Xcel Energy Center (2000–2025)
- Record crowd
- 21,609 hockey (2015 Minnesota State Boys' Hockey Tournament Class AA semifinals, March 6, 2015)
- Also home to
- Minnesota Frost (PWHL)
- Size rank in NHL
- 21st of 32
Famous moments at Grand Casino Arena
- 2004 NHL All-Star Game (2004)
- Vote for Change Tour (2004)
- 2008 Republican National Convention (2008)
- Minnesota Wild played their first game at the arena, against the Flyers (2000)
- Minnesota high school tournament drew 21,609, the largest crowd ever for an indoor hockey game in Minnesota (2015)
- Minnesota Frost drew 13,316, a record at the time for a professional women's hockey game (2024)
- Hosted the NCAA Frozen Four for the fourth time, after 2002, 2011 and 2018 (2024)
Game night
Getting there. Metro Transit Green Line (Central Station) and Route 54
Seating & views at Grand Casino Arena
The arena has four spectator levels: three general seating levels and one suite level. Hockey capacity is 17,954, and every seat was replaced with cushioned seating in 2015–16. Four corner 'crow's nests' hold an organ, a lighthouse with a foghorn, a DJ booth and an extra stage.
Parking & tailgating
Metro Transit's Green Line stops at Central Station, which links to the arena by skyway or a short walk. The Wild recommend reserving parking in advance through SpotHero.
Plan your trip to Grand Casino Arena
Rinks near Grand Casino Arena10
- 1NCAALee and Penny Anderson Arena — St. Thomas Tommies same city
- 2NCAA3M Arena at Mariucci — Minnesota Golden Gophers 10 mi
- 3USHL/NAHLForest Lake Sports Center — Minnesota Mallards 22 mi
- 4NCAAHerb Brooks National Hockey Center — St. Cloud State Huskies 66 mi
- 5USHL/NAHLSt. Cloud Municipal Athletic Complex — St. Cloud Norsemen 66 mi
- 6NCAAMayo Clinic Health System Event Center — Minnesota State Mavericks 71 mi
- 7USHL/NAHLRiverside Arena — Austin Bruins 89 mi
- 8USHL/NAHLNorthwoods Credit Union Arena — Minnesota Wilderness 127 mi
- 9NCAAAMSOIL Arena — Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs 135 mi
- 10USHL/NAHLYoung Arena — Waterloo Black Hawks 175 mi
Questions about Grand Casino Arena
Where do the Minnesota Wild play home games?
The Minnesota Wild play at Grand Casino Arena in Saint Paul, Minnesota.
Where do the Minnesota Frost play home games?
The Minnesota Frost play at Grand Casino Arena in Saint Paul, Minnesota.
How many people does Grand Casino Arena hold?
Grand Casino Arena seats 17,954 for hockey.
When did Grand Casino Arena open?
Grand Casino Arena opened in 2000.
What is Grand Casino Arena’s nickname?
Grand Casino Arena is known as “The X.”
What is the attendance record at Grand Casino Arena?
The record crowd at Grand Casino Arena is 21,609 hockey (2015 Minnesota State Boys' Hockey Tournament Class AA semifinals, March 6, 2015).
What other rinks are near Grand Casino Arena?
Lee and Penny Anderson Arena is also in Saint Paul. See the full list of nearby rinks on this page.
Where do you park at Grand Casino Arena?
Metro Transit's Green Line stops at Central Station, which links to the arena by skyway or a short walk. The Wild recommend reserving parking in advance through SpotHero.
What is the seating like at Grand Casino Arena?
The arena has four spectator levels: three general seating levels and one suite level. Hockey capacity is 17,954, and every seat was replaced with cushioned seating in 2015–16. Four corner 'crow's nests' hold an organ, a lighthouse with a foghorn, a DJ booth and an extra stage.
Facts are for the 2026–27 season. Distances are straight-line miles between city centers. Capacity figures vary by source. See something wrong? Let us know. Is this your rink? Get the “Listed on RinkGuide.com” badge for your website.