Visiting St. Paul for a Game?

Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport (MSP) is the main gateway, located approximately 8 miles southwest of downtown St. Paul, with taxi and rideshare trips running about 13 minutes and costing $30-$40. For a budget option, Metro Transit Route 54 departs from the Terminal 1 Transit Station directly to downtown St. Paul in about 20 minutes for $2. If you land at Terminal 2, ride the free METRO Blue Line one stop to Terminal 1 first, then board Route 54.

Metro Transit's METRO Green Line connects downtown Minneapolis to downtown St. Paul with stops at Central Station, 10th Street, and Union Depot, making it easy to reach Allianz Field (exit at Snelling Avenue Station) without a car. Grand Casino Arena is located in downtown St. Paul and is within walking distance of the Central and Robert Street Green Line stations, though the arena is not directly adjacent to any stop. Uber and Lyft are widely available throughout the Twin Cities metro and are the most practical option for late-night post-game returns. A personal vehicle is not necessary for a sports-focused trip if you are staying downtown, though parking is available near both venues if you prefer to drive.

Downtown St. Paul is the best base for sports fans, putting you within walking distance of Grand Casino Arena and providing easy Green Line access to Allianz Field in the Midway neighborhood. Options range from budget-friendly properties around $130-$150 per night to mid-range hotels like the Hyatt Place St. Paul/Downtown, Drury Plaza Hotel St. Paul Downtown, and the DoubleTree by Hilton St. Paul Downtown in the $160-$220 range. The Holiday Inn St. Paul Downtown sits directly across the street from Grand Casino Arena and even offers a complimentary shuttle to and from games, making it a top pick for Wild fans. Book early for home playoff runs or marquee matchups, as downtown hotels fill quickly on game nights.

St. Paul calls itself the 'State of Hockey' capital, and that identity is genuine: the Minnesota Wild draw passionate crowds at Grand Casino Arena, and the building also hosts PWHL Minnesota games, giving visiting fans a chance to catch two professional hockey products in one trip. Minnesota United FC plays at Allianz Field in the Midway neighborhood, a purpose-built soccer-specific stadium known for one of the loudest atmospheres in MLS, anchored by the supporters' group the Dark Clouds. The Twin Cities setup means a multi-sport weekend is very doable: Wild and United schedules can overlap in the fall, and Minneapolis venues like Target Center (Timberwolves) are reachable via the Green Line in under 30 minutes. St. Paul winters are genuinely cold, so if you are attending a Wild game between November and March, dress in layers for the walk between your hotel and the arena.