MN Wild Announce Grand Casino Arena Renovation Plans
Over the offseason the Minnesota Wild changed the naming rights sponsor of their home arena for the first time in the franchise’s 26-year history, officially swapping out “Xcel Energy Center” for “Grand Casino Arena”.
But bubbling below the surface conversations in St. Paul for the past couple years, regarding the only home venue the MN Wild have ever known, have been rumors and reports that team owner Craig Leipold is seeking major renovations that, to this point, the City of St. Paul and State of Minnesota have not shown much support for.
MN Wild announce Grand Casino Arena renovations, but…
On Tuesday, however, Leipold decided he was moving forward with planning anyway, announcing an upcoming project that’s expected to cost a total of $600 million — $200 million of which he is requesting from the State.
St Paul Mayor Kaohly Her and @mnwild owner Craig Leipold announce agreement for $600 million in renovations to Grand Casino Arena, Roy Wilkins Auditorium and RiverCentre. But it includes asking for $200 million from state. pic.twitter.com/dNKleIqeNc
— Rob Olson (@RobOlsonFOX9) March 3, 2026
St. Paul Mayor Kaohly Her was present this week, for Craig Leipold’s public announcement. However, that doesn’t guarantee the State of Minnesota will play ball.
In reality, $200M is a drop of the state budget, and Grand Casino Arena is the premiere location for major concerts and performances held in the Twin Cities. It’s ages like a fine wine, which is why the Minnesota Wild owner is looking for a couple hundred million dollars, not the couple billion dollars for a new home.
Leipold still spending on Minnesota Wild
It has been a pricey period of time for the Minnesota Wild owner. Craig Leipold inked superstar Kirill Kaprizov to an NHL record $136 million deal in September. He has also been reported as one of the new minority owners in the Minnesota Twins.
Leipold’s net worth is around $3.6 billion, according to the internet, and he’s rarely been afraid of investing big on his favorite hockey team. Twins fans now hope he can inject some of that energy across the river, at Target Field.
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