ST. PAUL, Minn. — The Xcel Energy Center will officially be renamed Grand Casino Arena starting September 3, following a new 14-year naming rights agreement with Grand Casino Mille Lacs and Grand Casino Hinckley.
The downtown St. Paul venue, home to the NHL’s Minnesota Wild and the Professional Women’s Hockey League’s Minnesota franchise, has operated under the Xcel Energy name since it opened in 2000. The rebranding reflects a partnership with the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe, which owns the Grand Casino properties.
“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.”
The name change comes as part of a broader effort to revitalize the surrounding area into a destination entertainment district.
“This is more than a name change – it’s a signal of where we’re headed as a business,” said Ronda Weizenegger, Chief Executive Officer of Grand Casino. “Grand Casino Arena represents the strength of tribal enterprise, and our ongoing investment in Minnesota’s future. We’re proud to partner with the Minnesota Wild to bring this vision to life. I’d also like to thank Ted Johnson of Norden Strategies for his instrumental role in making this moment possible.”
The agreement does not include funding for planned arena renovations, which are projected to cost hundreds of millions of dollars. A previous $50 million state bonding request was denied earlier this year.
“This partnership is a dream – Grand Casino Arena gives us an incredible platform to engage fans, tell our story in bold new ways, and bring the Grand Casino experience to downtown Saint Paul,” said Jeff LaFrance, Head of Marketing for Grand Casino. “From digital activations to in-arena surprises, we’re building something unforgettable.”
All arena signage, including the ice surface and exterior displays, will be updated ahead of the 2025–26 NHL season. While Xcel Energy will no longer hold naming rights, the company will continue to support community initiatives with the Minnesota Wild.
Grand Casino Arena will debut with the start of the Wild’s next season this fall.
