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Minnesota has a lot to be excited about when it comes to baseball. In 2019, the Minnesota Twins, with the newly nicknamed “Bomba Squad,” were the American League Central Division champs and broke the record for most home runs in a season. While you’re enjoying another winning season (knock on wood), be sure to enjoy the food scene at the beautiful Target Field. New in 2019 was the “Boomstick,” a 2-foot-long loaded hotdog named after slugger Nelson Cruz. Try the chicken-and-waffle cone or grab a bite from Andrew Zimmern’s canteen for a memorable day at the ballpark. The St. Paul Saints, co-owned by Bill Murray (yes, that Bill Murray), are coming off a championship year, as well. In 2019, the independent league team won their first championship in 15 years, and you can catch them at CHS Field in St. Paul.
Soccer fans have been rejoicing since the opening of Allianz Field in 2019, where the Minnesota United FC play home games in front of crowds of some 20,000. Off the field, the Loons give back to the community through events, camps and more.
In the Minnesota Vikings’ dazzling home at U.S. Bank Stadium, football fans bleed purple and gold, remembering the buzz of the “Minneapolis Miracle” that took place shortly before we hosted the 2018 Super Bowl. Join the “skol” chants, watch the rivalry between the Vikes and the Packers, and even if you’re not a football fan, enjoy the electric atmosphere.
Target Center is home to the Timberwolves (NBA) and Lynx (WNBA) basketball teams. With newly acquired All-Star point guard D’Angelo Russell and two-time All-Star and 2016 Rookie of the Year Karl-Anthony Towns, things are looking up for the team. As for the Lynx, the team has won four WNBA championships in the last decade, coached by the winningest coach in WNBA history, Cheryl Reeve.
Minnesota is named the State of Hockey for a reason. At the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, you can watch the Minnesota Wild play, and the University of Minnesota’s men’s and women’s hockey teams are just as impressive. Catch the men’s games at the 3M Arena at Mariucci and women’s games at Ridder Arena. The Let’s Play Hockey Expo in March draws hockey fans together for two days of exhibits, celebrity appearances and more. If you’re not as familiar with the thrill of the game, here’s an easy way to get inducted: Find footage of a little something called the “Miracle on Ice.” In 1980, that underdog Olympic victory was led by our own Herb Brooks
