St. Paul proposes more than $760M in renovations to Xcel Energy Center complex

SAINT PAUL, Minn. — The City of St. Paul and Minnesota Wild are asking for the state to chip in as they propose renovations to the Xcel Energy Center arena complex. 

The complex includes the Xcel Energy Center, home to the Minnesota Wild and Frost hockey teams, as well as the St. Paul RiverCentre, and Roy Wilkins Auditorium. 

In a press release, city officials said the Xcel Energy Center was opened in 2000 and is now at the end of its intended 25-year lifespan, and the RiverCentre and auditorium require “significant updates to infrastructure and equipment.” 

The costs for renovations are estimated at $769 million. The city is asking the state to pay for half of those costs, with the Minnesota Wild owner funding 30% and the city putting forward the other 20%. City officials said this is its top priority for the 2025 legislative session.

“A renovated Arena Complex will breathe new life into our city, building on our efforts to attract more world-class events and opportunities for economic growth,” St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter said in a press release. “This project will create jobs, bring more people downtown, and strengthen our standing as a premier destination to live, work, recreate, and do business.”

The owner of the Minnesota Wild, Craig Leipold, said in a statement they are excited to “create an iconic new district for downtown.” 

According to the city of St. Paul, the arena complex attracts 2 million visitors each year, and last year 400 events were hosted from hockey to high school graduations.