Photo courtesy of Meet Minneapolis
When you think of sports in Minnesota, what comes to mind? Odds are, you might think of ice hockey—and for good reason. Hockey is the official state sport, and Minnesota consistently produces more players at all levels of the game than any other state in the U.S. But hockey is just one part of the Minnesota sports landscape, and both residents and visitors alike enjoy cheering for the multitude of teams in the Twin Cities.
Let’s start with hockey, represented at the top with the NHL’s Minnesota Wild. Fans consistently pack the Grand Casino Arena (previously the Xcel Energy Center) in St. Paul for every home game, creating a buzzing and thrilling atmosphere. The Wild’s co-tenant, the Minnesota Frost of the Professional Women’s Hockey League, arrived on the Minnesota sports scene with a bang in the 2023-24 season by winning the championship in their
first-ever campaign.
Minneapolis is where you’ll find the rest of the state’s top-level pro teams, and both the NBA’s Minnesota Timberwolves and the WNBA’s Minnesota Lynx play at Target Center. The Lynx have been one of the state’s most successful teams, winning four championships between 2011 and 2017, while the resurgent Timberwolves boast an exciting core of players that led them to the conference finals this year.
Photo courtesy of the St. Paul Saints
Just across the road from Target Center is Target Field, the unofficial capital of summer for Minnesota sports fans, playing host to the Minnesota Twins of MLB. Fans sitting on the third base side are treated to a spectacular view of downtown Minneapolis, but all seats have a great view of the action at a ballpark that consistently ranks among the best in baseball for its amenities, local food options, craft beer selections, and more. Twin Cities baseball fans are lucky in that both the Twins and their top minor-league affiliate, the St. Paul Saints, are located in the same metro area—the only such arrangement in baseball. The Saints’ CHS Field boasts a similarly great experience as its big-league counterpart, just on a smaller scale.
Also enjoying a lofty place in its sport’s stadium rankings is Minneapolis’ U.S. Bank Stadium, home of the Minnesota Vikings. This modern, glassy stadium opened in 2016 and gives fans the feeling of being outside while sheltering them from the harsh weather of a pro football season. If fútbol is more your style, Minnesota United FC of MLS play at Allianz Field in St. Paul, while Minnesota Aurora FC of the USL W League play at TCO Stadium in Eagan—which is also home to the Vikings training camp.
With two NCAA Division I programs, the Twin Cities offers an unmatched collegiate experience as well. The University of Minnesota Golden Gophers play in Minneapolis and compete in the Big Ten, one of the top conferences in the country. In St. Paul, the University of St. Thomas boasts one of the newest programs in Division I after a long spell of athletic success in Division III. Whatever your sport, there’s surely a seat waiting for you in the Twin Cities.
Photo courtesy of Minnesota Wild
My Twin Cities: Derek Sharrer
President, St. Paul Saints Baseball Club
How long have you lived in the Twin Cities, and what do you enjoy most about living here?
[My family and I] have lived in the Twin Cities for 21 years and, while it sounds cliche, what’s so incredible about this area is the overall quality of life it offers. From great schools and wonderful neighborhoods to an incredible food and entertainment scene, this area provides more than you could possibly take advantage of—even after 21 years.
What’s something you haven’t yet experienced in Minnesota but would like to?
Our family (my wife Kandice; two college-age sons, Sullivan and Lawson; and our golden retriever, Cocco) has done our share of Minnesota excursions over the years, but we’ve never made it to Lake Itasca and the Mississippi River headwaters.
How do you think Minnesota’s pro sports teams contribute to the culture of the Twin Cities?
The Minnesota sports entertainment scene is incredible. We have some of the best facilities and most beloved brands in all sports. At CHS Field and Target Field, we have the two most fan-friendly ballparks in baseball. Xcel Energy Center, U.S. Bank Stadium, Allianz Field, and Huntington Bank Stadium are all also best-in-class venues, and that still doesn’t complete the list! With five major league franchises, a Big Ten university, women’s professional soccer and hockey franchises, and one of the most recognizable minor league baseball franchises in the country, Minnesotans have so many great experiences to choose from. If you peek behind the amazing venues and exciting sports action, I think you’ll find our sports franchises are incredibly involved in our community—giving time, energy, and funds to make the Twin Cities an amazing place to live.
What do you think makes the Saints special in Minnesota’s sports landscape?
For 32 years, the Saints have taken pride in punching above our weight class. As a minor league team in a major league market, we’ve done our best to provide a uniquely fun experience for everyone who walks through our gates. As much as anything else, we’ve listened to our community, and we’ve listened to our fans in hopes that what we learned would help us provide the most memorable experience possible.
