Getting There · Xcel Energy Center · Minneapolis
Getting to Xcel Energy Center — Transit, Rideshare & Walking Routes
Getting to Xcel Energy Center without the parking-lot headache is usually faster and cheaper than driving — especially on Minnesota Wild game nights and major concerts, when the roads around Downtown St. Paul (West Seventh), Minneapolis fill long before doors. Even at a compact venue holding 17,954, the streets around Downtown St. Paul (West Seventh), Minneapolis tighten up fast during the pre-game window. This guide covers the transit lines that drop you closest to the arena, the rideshare zones, walking routes from Downtown St. Paul (West Seventh), and what to know about late-night service after the final whistle.
About Xcel Energy Center
Home of the minnesota wild. the arena has hosted events at this site since 2000. located at 199 W Kellogg Blvd, St. Paul, MN 55102.
Transit Routes to Xcel Energy Center
Served by Metro Transit buses downtown, with the Green Line light rail a short walk along Kellogg Boulevard. The Downtown St. Paul (West Seventh), Minneapolis location means multiple transit connections are available within a short walk, giving you backup options if one line is delayed. Plan to step off at the nearest stop 30-45 minutes before doors. Transit is also the quickest post-event exit from Xcel Energy Center — you are moving while the parking lots around Downtown St. Paul (West Seventh), Minneapolis are still emptying.
Rideshare Drop-Off at Xcel Energy Center
Uber and Lyft both serve Xcel Energy Center. On busy nights the apps route you to a designated drop-off zone near the arena rather than the front gates, keeping traffic and pedestrians separated. Surge pricing is usually shorter-lived at smaller venues. Still, walking a block or two from Xcel Energy Center before requesting your ride home keeps the wait time down.
Walking to Xcel Energy Center from Downtown St. Paul (West Seventh)
Xcel Energy Center is located at 199 W Kellogg Blvd, St. Paul, MN 55102, in the Downtown St. Paul (West Seventh) area of Minneapolis. The central location makes Xcel Energy Center walkable from many Minneapolis hotels, restaurants, and transit hubs. Fans staying in the Downtown St. Paul (West Seventh) area can often walk to the arena in under 15 minutes, which is frequently faster than driving and parking on event nights. Walking in from a few blocks away also sidesteps the worst of the event-night traffic and is often the single fastest way to leave once the show ends. The walk to Xcel Energy Center is mostly outdoors before you reach the arena entrance, so check the forecast for evening events.
When to Arrive at Xcel Energy Center
Xcel Energy Center holds 17,954 for a typical event configuration. A compact venue like Xcel Energy Center means shorter entry lines, but you should still plan to arrive 30-45 minutes before doors on event nights. When the Minnesota Wild have a sold-out crowd, add another 15-20 minutes to your buffer. The smaller footprint means you can get from the gate to your seat quickly once you are inside.
Late-Night Exit from Xcel Energy Center
If you took transit to Xcel Energy Center, your post-event exit plan hinges on the last departure from the nearest stop. Before the event, look up the schedule for the specific line referenced in the transit section above — (Served by Metro Transit buses downtown, with the Green Line light rail a short walk along Kellogg Boulevard) — and screenshot it. Evening events at Xcel Energy Center typically let out between 10:00 and 11:00 PM, though encores and overtime can push later. Having the schedule saved means you can decide during the event whether to catch the last train or switch to a rideshare backup.