Olympics season is in full swing, and Minneapolis is taking center stage. The U.S. Gymnastics Olympic Team Trials will be held June 27-30 at Target Center, where 16 women and 20 men will try to land their spot on Team USA for the Paris Olympics. Fans will see some familiar faces throughout the four-day event, including Simone Biles and St. Paul’s own Suni Lee.
A few tickets remain for those looking to witness the trials in person. But, even if you don’t have a seat, there are plenty of ways to get involved in the excitement. Downtown Minneapolis—coined “Gymnastics City USA” for the week—has several events in the works.
Courtesy of USA Gymnastics
The festivities will kick off Thursday at 11:30 a.m. with a massive dance performance along Nicollet Mall between Eighth Street and 10th Street. Over 1,000 gymnasts from around the world will perform a routine to a mashup of Prince’s music, with several local stars serving as honorary dance captains—including Bachelor Nation favorites Leslie Fhima and Michelle Young, along with Jacie Scott, head coach for the Minnesota Vikings cheerleaders. Keep an eye out for other special guests, including the SKOL Line (the official drum line of the Vikings), Minnesota sports mascots, and more.
This celebration will mark the official opening of Promenade du Nord, a Parisian-style street fair extending between Seventh Street and 12th Street in downtown Minneapolis. Open Thursday through Sunday, Promenade du Nord will feature an upscale market with over 60 local vendors, patio dining, street performers, musicians, and artistic gymnastics demonstrations.
Channel your inner gymnast at the Flip Zone outside Target Center and Target Field. Here, you can try your hand at a parkour course or a 20-foot free fall into an airbag. Stick around for surprise musical guests, appearances from gymnastics legends, official USA Gymnastics merch, and more.
For more information, check out Minnesota Sports and Events’ Gymnastics City USA Fan Guide. Be sure to follow our Instagram for behind-the-scenes coverage of this week’s trials!
