You'll have to start getting used to a new name. It's no longer the Xcel Energy Center - or "The X" - in downtown St. Paul.
Minnesota Sports and Entertainment Monday announced the arena that is the home of the Minnesota Wild, the Minnesota Frost, the high school hockey tournament, and numerous other big events and concerts, will be renamed Grand Casino Arena.
This comes after reaching a 14-year naming rights agreement with the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe, which owns Grand Casinos in Hinckley and Mille Lacs.
“Grand Casino Arena will serve as the anchor of a dynamic entertainment district that transforms downtown Saint Paul,” said Craig Leipold, majority owner and principal investor in Minnesota Sports & Entertainment. “The Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe has been a strong supporter of and investor in this city. We are thrilled for their partnership and support of the arena.”
Xcel Energy had the naming rights since the arena first opened 25 years ago, and remains a community and business partner of the Minnesota Wild hockey team.
In April, the franchise announced a new multi-year partnership with Xcel Energy but as part of the new agreement, the existing arena naming rights agreement with Xcel Energy would be ending this summer.
The new agreement with Grand Casino will begin September 3, 2025 prior to the start of the NHL season. All exterior and interior signage will be replaced to identify Grand Casino Arena, including the center ice insignia.