Game Weekend
The arena’s curved glass exterior in downtown Saint Paul in autumn, photographed in 2018 when it still carried its former name, Xcel Energy Center

Minnesota Wild

Grand Casino Arena

Saint Paul, Minnesota

A Wild game night at Grand Casino Arena, in downtown Saint Paul.

Plan my tripJust find a hotel

The local take

The Wild’s home arena, called Xcel Energy Center until 2025, sits at the edge of downtown Saint Paul, with hockey pubs on West 7th Street, Rice Park and the Science Museum a short walk away, and a skyway that links downtown buildings on the second floor.

More than half of the Wild’s 42 home games fall Monday to Friday, most at 7 p.m. Central, and several weekend and holiday games start in the afternoon, so check your game’s start time. Doors open 75 minutes before puck drop. For a weekend trip, spend the day before at the Science Museum or around Rice Park.

Grand Casino Arena

Your Saint Paul weekend

Pick your game, then your hotel, food and things to do, or let a quick start choose them with you.

Which game are you going to?

Minnesota Wild

Exploring the weekend before choosing a game. Dates stay open.

Find your places.

Find your stay, your local pub, and everything around the game.

Each one picks a hotel and food that work together. Change anything below.

My weekend

6 hotels

Saint Paul places

HotelSuggested

Downtown and West Seventh · 0.11 mi from the arena

The arena’s hotel page lists it directly across the street from Grand Casino Arena, with Wild Bill’s Sports Saloon, an indoor pool, a whirlpool and a fitness center.

There’s no ride, bus or parking ramp to plan on a weeknight: the arena’s own hotel page puts this hotel directly across the street, and Tom Reid’s, Cossetta and the Truck Park are on West 7th Street.

  • Fees not published here
Check rooms
Details

Keep in mind: Parking and breakfast weren’t confirmed: the arena’s page doesn’t list them and the brand site couldn’t be read, so ask when you book.

On game day: Downtown stay: walk to the arena. Through November, City of Saint Paul sidewalk work on Kellogg Boulevard runs directly in front of the arena, and access to Gates 1 and 2 is marked.

175 West 7th Street, Saint Paul, MN 55102

0.11 mi straight-line from the arena. This is not a walking or driving route.

Live rates are not quoted here. Confirm the full stay total, fees, and cancellation terms with the provider. Arena directions use a general arena location; follow your assigned lot and gate instructions.

Expedia opens a named-hotel search, not a verified property page. Enter dates there; adults and rooms are prefilled.

Directions: Directions to arena for Holiday Inn St. Paul DowntownOfficial details for Holiday Inn St. Paul Downtown
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Hotel

Downtown and West Seventh · 0.26 mi from the arena

A hotel open since 1910, overlooking Rice Park, that calls the arena a short walk away. The St. Paul Grill is inside, and a complimentary downtown shuttle runs based on availability.

  • Overnight valet
  • Breakfast not always included
  • Free downtown shuttle, by availability
Check rooms
Details

Keep in mind: Parking is overnight valet, with no price published in the FAQ. Breakfast isn’t included with every stay, and there’s no airport shuttle.

On game day: Downtown stay: walk to the arena. Through November, City of Saint Paul sidewalk work on Kellogg Boulevard runs directly in front of the arena, and access to Gates 1 and 2 is marked.

350 Market Street, Saint Paul, MN 55102

0.26 mi straight-line from the arena. This is not a walking or driving route.

Live rates are not quoted here. Confirm the full stay total, fees, and cancellation terms with the provider. Arena directions use a general arena location; follow your assigned lot and gate instructions.

Expedia opens a named-hotel search, not a verified property page. Enter dates there; adults and rooms are prefilled.

Directions: Directions to arena for The Saint Paul HotelOfficial details for The Saint Paul Hotel
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Hotel

Downtown and West Seventh · 0.42 mi from the arena

A hotel in the downtown business district that the arena’s page lists as the Wild’s preferred hotel, within walking distance of many restaurants, with Citizen Restaurant and Bar in the lobby.

  • Valet $40 per night
  • Breakfast at Citizen 6:30–11 a.m.
  • 8 miles from MSP; no airport shuttle
Check rooms
Details

Keep in mind: Overnight parking is valet, at $40 plus tax a night. The arena’s page calls it close, but no walking time is published.

On game day: Downtown stay: walk to the arena. Through November, City of Saint Paul sidewalk work on Kellogg Boulevard runs directly in front of the arena, and access to Gates 1 and 2 is marked.

11 Kellogg Boulevard East, Saint Paul, MN 55101

0.42 mi straight-line from the arena. This is not a walking or driving route.

Live rates are not quoted here. Confirm the full stay total, fees, and cancellation terms with the provider. Arena directions use a general arena location; follow your assigned lot and gate instructions.

Expedia opens a named-hotel search, not a verified property page. Enter dates there; adults and rooms are prefilled.

Directions: Directions to arena for InterContinental Saint Paul RiverfrontOfficial details for InterContinental Saint Paul Riverfront
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Hotel

Lowertown · 0.63 mi from the arena

A Lowertown hotel next door to Alary’s, whose free shuttle the arena’s page suggests for Wild games.

  • Alary’s free Wild shuttle next door
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Details

Keep in mind: The shuttle belongs to Alary’s, not the hotel, and its times are posted on Facebook. Hotel parking and breakfast weren’t confirmed.

On game day: Lowertown stay: ride Alary’s shuttle to and from Wild games, or walk west across downtown.

472 Jackson Street, Saint Paul, MN 55101

0.63 mi straight-line from the arena. This is not a walking or driving route.

Live rates are not quoted here. Confirm the full stay total, fees, and cancellation terms with the provider. Arena directions use a general arena location; follow your assigned lot and gate instructions.

Expedia opens a named-hotel search, not a verified property page. Enter dates there; adults and rooms are prefilled.

Directions: Directions to arena for SpringHill Suites by Marriott St. Paul DowntownOfficial details for SpringHill Suites by Marriott St. Paul Downtown
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Hotel

Lowertown · 0.68 mi from the arena

A Lowertown hotel inside the restored former St. Paul Post Office and Custom House, with free breakfast, an indoor pool and The Placery lobby bar. The arena’s page lists 15% off for arena event stays.

  • Free breakfast
  • Valet parking
Check rooms
Details

Keep in mind: Parking is valet, with no price on the arena’s page. It’s on the far side of downtown from the arena.

On game day: Lowertown stay: ride Alary’s shuttle to and from Wild games, or walk west across downtown.

180 Kellogg Boulevard East, Saint Paul, MN 55101

0.68 mi straight-line from the arena. This is not a walking or driving route.

Live rates are not quoted here. Confirm the full stay total, fees, and cancellation terms with the provider. Arena directions use a general arena location; follow your assigned lot and gate instructions.

Expedia opens a named-hotel search, not a verified property page. Enter dates there; adults and rooms are prefilled.

Directions: Directions to arena for Hyatt Place St. Paul/DowntownOfficial details for Hyatt Place St. Paul/Downtown
We may earn a commission. Your final total is confirmed with the provider.
Hotel

Saint Paul East, off I-94 · 4.6 mi from the arena

A hotel off I-94, 5 minutes from downtown by the arena’s count, with complimentary parking and shuttle service to and from the arena, and suites with a separate living area.

  • Free parking
  • Free shuttle to and from the arena
Check rooms
Details

Keep in mind: It isn’t walkable to downtown. Shuttle times and the pickup point aren’t published, and breakfast wasn’t confirmed.

On game day: East stay: take DoubleTree’s complimentary shuttle to the arena, or drive and park in the RiverCentre or Kellogg ramp.

2201 Burns Avenue, Saint Paul, MN 55119

4.6 mi straight-line from the arena. This is not a walking or driving route.

Live rates are not quoted here. Confirm the full stay total, fees, and cancellation terms with the provider. Arena directions use a general arena location; follow your assigned lot and gate instructions.

Expedia opens a named-hotel search, not a verified property page. Enter dates there; adults and rooms are prefilled.

Directions: Directions to arena for DoubleTree by Hilton St. Paul EastOfficial details for DoubleTree by Hilton St. Paul East
We may earn a commission. Your final total is confirmed with the provider.

Your weekend

2 adults, 1 room
Stay
Not chosen
Food
None chosen
Do

Choose a hotel first

Travel & full itinerary

The full plan, stop by stop

2 adults · 1 room

Choose a hotel to plan travel.

Your home base

No hotel chosen yet

Your hotel sets the area, both arena journeys and the travel between your stops.

Nothing is in your plan until you choose it. A quick start above the list can choose one for you.

Make time for a good meal

Food for the weekend

Compare and choose food

No food picks yet. Add places in the comparison above when you’re ready.

Check opening hours for your dates and reserve directly where needed.

The reason for the trip

Grand Casino Arena

Pick your game when you’re ready.

Nights open · 2 adults, 1 room

A different hotel?

Your arena travel updates to match. Any food you picked yourself stays.

Get to know the areas

Downtown and West SeventhWalking to the game on a weeknight

Stay across the street from the arena or on Rice Park and walk to the game, with the hockey pubs of West 7th Street on the way.

Hockey pubs on West 7th Street, Rice Park, the Ordway and the Science Museum

To the arena
Walk to 199 West Kellogg Boulevard. Holiday Inn St. Paul Downtown is directly across the street, and The Saint Paul Hotel describes the arena as a short walk.
After the game
Walk back the same way, or stop at a West 7th pub on the way.
The tradeoff
The closest hotels don’t publish parking prices on the arena’s page, and InterContinental parking is valet only, at a nightly charge. Patrick McGovern’s doesn’t take reservations during events.

Hotels in this area

We may earn a commission. Rates and availability are confirmed with the provider.
LowertownA pregame bar with a shuttle to the game

Stay in the historic warehouse district on the east side of downtown and ride Alary’s free shuttle to the Wild game, or walk across downtown.

Warehouse-district streets, a long-running sports bar and the restored former post office

To the arena
Ride Alary’s shuttle from 139 7th Street East, or walk west across downtown to the arena.
After the game
Ride Alary’s shuttle back after the game, or walk back across downtown.
The tradeoff
It’s on the far side of downtown from the arena. Alary’s shuttle schedules are posted on its Facebook page, not its website, and no source confirms an indoor skyway route all the way to the arena.

Hotels in this area

We may earn a commission. Rates and availability are confirmed with the provider.
Saint Paul East, off I-94Free parking, families and a car

Stay east of downtown with free parking and a hotel shuttle to and from the arena, or drive in and park in a ramp connected to the arena.

A hotel off I-94 near the 3M campus, 5 minutes from downtown by the arena’s count

To the arena
Ride the hotel’s shuttle to the arena, or drive to the RiverCentre Parking Ramp or the Kellogg Parking Ramp.
After the game
Ride the shuttle back, or walk to your ramp and drive back.
The tradeoff
It isn’t walkable: you depend on the hotel’s shuttle, a rideshare or your car each way. Shuttle times aren’t published.

Hotels in this area

We may earn a commission. Rates and availability are confirmed with the provider.

Upcoming games at Grand Casino Arena

Visiting with the away team? Each game has its own page.

To the game and back

Choose a route from the area you’re staying in.

From downtown on footDowntown and West Seventhwalk
Getting there
Walk to the arena at 199 West Kellogg Boulevard. Holiday Inn St. Paul Downtown is directly across the street; from Rice Park, the arena’s recommended accessible entrance is the Rice Park Entrance on Washington Avenue, behind the Herb Brooks statue. Doors open 75 minutes before puck drop.
Getting back
Walk back the same way. There’s no re-entry, so leave only when you’re done.

From June 1 through November, City of Saint Paul sidewalk work on westbound Kellogg Boulevard runs directly in front of the arena; access to Gates 1 and 2 is marked, and the skyway over Kellogg stays open. No walking times are published.

Route information
From Lowertown on Alary’s shuttleLowertownshuttle
Getting there
Start at Alary’s, 139 7th Street East, and ride its shuttle to the Wild game. If you drive, Alary’s validates free parking in the Block 19 Ramp next door when you enter after 4 p.m. on weekdays or anytime on weekends and make a purchase.
Getting back
Alary’s runs its shuttles to and from Wild games; ride back to Lowertown after the game.

Alary’s posts shuttle schedules on its Facebook page, not its website, so check the times for your game. It’s Alary’s shuttle, not the arena’s or a hotel’s.

Route information
From Lowertown on footLowertownwalk
Getting there
Walk west across downtown to the arena at 199 West Kellogg Boulevard. The arena’s hotel page describes walkable access from Hyatt Place in Lowertown.
Getting back
Walk back east across downtown.

No walking time or route is published. The downtown skyway links buildings on the second floor, but no source confirms an indoor route all the way from Lowertown to the arena.

Route information
From Saint Paul East on the hotel shuttleSaint Paul East, off I-94shuttle
Getting there
Ride DoubleTree’s complimentary shuttle to the arena; ask the front desk for times and the pickup point.
Getting back
Ride the same shuttle back to the hotel; confirm the return pickup before the game.

The arena’s page lists the shuttle but no schedule. The visitor bureau’s listing describes it as serving destinations within 10 miles of the hotel.

Route information
Drive in and park by the arenaSaint Paul East, off I-94drive
Getting there
Drive downtown and park in the RiverCentre Parking Ramp (150 West Kellogg Blvd) or the underground Kellogg Parking Ramp (129 West Kellogg Blvd), both connected to the arena complex. The Wild sell guaranteed parking in advance through ParkWhiz.
Getting back
Walk back to your ramp. During the Kellogg Boulevard work, you can’t exit the RiverCentre ramp westbound onto Kellogg; from the Kellogg ramp, turn right and U-turn at the signal to head east.

No ramp rates or hours are published on the arena’s or the Wild’s pages. The Kellogg ramp has a 7-foot height clearance, and arena parking is card or mobile payment only.

Route information

At Grand Casino Arena

Doors and gate times — Wild

Doors open 75 minutes before game time. Gate 5 opens 90 minutes before for the suite, club and premium levels, and Gate 4 opens 90 minutes before for the Fan Zone only.

Arena information
Bags

The arena strongly discourages bags. Purses up to 12 × 12 × 6 inches, clear bags included, go through designated X-ray entrances; wristlets, clutches and wallets up to 4 × 6 × 1.5 inches are allowed at every entrance. Backpacks, coolers and large totes aren’t allowed; medical and parenting bags are, after X-ray screening.

Arena information
Mobile tickets and no re-entry

The arena is 100% mobile: download the Minnesota Wild App before you arrive, and staff scan the barcode from your phone. Screenshots aren’t valid. There’s no re-entry, and the building is smoke-free, including e-cigarettes.

Arena information
Cashless arena

Concessions, retail, parking and the box office take only cards and mobile payments. Guest Services at section 105 converts cash to a prepaid card. During a game, text 651-800-9453 for help.

Arena information
Parking, rideshare and construction

The RiverCentre and Kellogg ramps connect to the arena complex, and the Wild sell guaranteed advance parking through ParkWhiz. Rideshare pickup and drop-off is at Gate 4, on 5th Street at the arena’s northeast corner. Through November, sidewalk work on Kellogg Boulevard changes ramp exits and the approach to Gates 1 and 2.

Arena information
By light rail and skyway

Ride the METRO Green Line to Central Station in downtown Saint Paul, where the tower has skyway access; the Wild call it a short walk to the arena. Plan times with Metro Transit’s trip planner or at 612-373-3333.

Arena information
From MSP airport

The InterContinental’s FAQ suggests a taxi or rideshare, the Blue Line light rail to Minneapolis and a transfer to the Green Line to downtown Saint Paul, or the 54 bus from MSP to downtown Saint Paul.

Arena information

Find your game & tickets

Use the team schedule for home dates and puck drop times.

Minnesota Wild schedule

Useful things to know

Is Grand Casino Arena the old Xcel Energy Center?

Yes. The Wild’s arena in downtown Saint Paul, formerly Xcel Energy Center, was renamed Grand Casino Arena on 2025-09-03.

Can I leave the arena and come back in?

No. The arena has a no re-entry policy, and it’s smoke-free inside, so plan your pregame before you go through the doors.

Can I pay with cash?

No. The arena takes only cards and mobile payments, for parking too. Guest Services at section 105 can turn cash into a prepaid card.

Where do rideshares pick up after the game?

At Gate 4, on 5th Street at the arena’s northeast corner, near section 120. Lyft is the arena’s official rideshare partner.

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