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Target Center
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The Target Center is an arena in downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota, sponsored by Target Corporation that is home to the National Basketball Association's Minnesota Timberwolves and Women's National Basketball Association's Minnesota Lynx. In 1996 it was home to the Arena Football League team Minnesota Fighting Pike.
Timberwolves originally built and owned the arena in 1990. The City of Minneapolis purchased the arena in 1995, although management has changed hands a few times. Most recently, the management was changed in May 2004 from Clear Channel Entertainment to Midwest Entertainment Group, a joint venture of the Timberwolves and Nederlander Concerts.
On May 2, 2007 AEG Facilities assumed the Management contract of Target Center.
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Encyclopedia
The Target Center is an arena in downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota, sponsored by Target Corporation that is home to the National Basketball Association's Minnesota Timberwolves and Women's National Basketball Association's Minnesota Lynx. In 1996 it was home to the Arena Football League team Minnesota Fighting Pike.
History
The Timberwolves originally built and owned the arena in 1990. The City of Minneapolis purchased the arena in 1995, although management has changed hands a few times. Most recently, the management was changed in May 2004 from Clear Channel Entertainment to Midwest Entertainment Group, a joint venture of the Timberwolves and Nederlander Concerts.
On May 2, 2007 AEG Facilities assumed the Management contract of Target Center. The city of Minneapolis owns the arena and AEG Facilities manages day to day operations.
In 2004 Target Center underwent a major renovation that saw the replacement of all 19,006 of its original seats plus the addition of nearly 1,500 new seats as well as the reconfiguration of the lower bowl to make the arena more fan-friendly. In addition the arena's original scoreboard was replaced with a new state-of-the-art 9-by-16 foot video screen and state-of-the-art LED signage, LED signage on the upper deck fascia, a new luxury lounge (Club Cambria) and improved access for fans with disabilities. Today Target Center seats 20,500 for basketball and from 13,000 to 19,000 for end-stage concerts, 19,500 for center-stage concerts and 17,500 for ice hockey.
Target Center was once one of three NBA arenas with parquet floors, including TD Banknorth Garden in Boston, and Amway Arena in Orlando--the floor was replaced prior to the 2008 NBA season. It hosted the 1994 NBA All-Star Game and the 1995 NCAA Women's Final Four. Prior to the 2008-09 season, the floor reverted back to the traditional floor setup, currently used by the WNBA's Minnesota Lynx.
The Target Center held the memorable UFC championship UFC 87: Seek and Destroy in August 2008, which featured the Welterweight title match where Georges St. Pierre defeated Jon Fitch.
World Wrestling Entertainment
Target Center has hosted many memorable WWE events. Among the most memorable was a tribute to Eddie Guerrero, who died November 13, 2005, at the Marriott Hotel in downtown Minneapolis. Guerrero was booked to win the World Heavyweight Championship from Batista in a Triple Thret match against both Randy Orton and Batista. Target Center also hosted WWE SummerSlam pay-per-view on August 1999. The then-Governor of Minnesota (Jesse Ventura) refereed the main event, the event also featured a Hardcore match between Al Snow and Big Boss Man who fought in downtown Minneapolis. Target Center also hosted the 2005 Judgment Day pay-per-view featuring an "I Quit match" between John Cena and John "Bradshaw" Layfield. WWE returned to the Target Center on September 29, 2008. Tickets were sold out 5 minutes after going on sale, making it the fastest selling event in Target Center history.
U.S. Bank Theater
Target Center can convert into a 2,500-to-7,500-seat theater known as the U.S. Bank Theater. The Theater contains a moveable floor-to-ceiling curtain system that allows the venue to be transformed based on specific show needs. In addition to concerts, the U.S. Bank Theater can also be used for family and Broadway shows.
Transportation and location
Target Center is a block away from the Warehouse District/Hennepin Avenue terminus of the Hiawatha Line. The arena is also across the street from the well-known Minneapolis nightclub First Avenue and an entertainment complex known as Block E. In addition, the new Minnesota Twins stadium to be called Target Field will be located just across Highway 394 from Target Center, and will likely share the public parking that Target Center uses.
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