Spectator Sports
People in the Twin Cities love sports. It is, however, a love tempered by regional priorities and perspectives on life. There are sports fanatics in the cities, men and women whose hearts bleed the purple of the Minnesota Vikings football team or have not missed a Twins game in decades, but most Twin Citians practice a little more restraint. They love the local teams but also value a summer trip “up north” to the cabin at the lake or a night at the other entertainment options the Cities offer.
City: Minneapolis, MN
Category: Spectator Sports
Address: 34 Kirby Puckett Place
City: Minneapolis, MN
Category: Spectator Sports
City: Minneapolis, MN
Category: Spectator Sports
4. Minnesota Golden Gophers
City: Minneapolis, MN
Category: Spectator Sports
5. Women’S Basketball
City: Minneapolis, MN
Category: Spectator Sports
Telephone: (612) 624-8080 or (800) U-GOPH
Description: Under coach Pam Borton, who took over the Minnesota Golden Gophers women’s basketball team in 2002, the future of Golden Gophers women’s basketball looks bright. Each year under Coach Borton, the team has had a winning record, something that was quite rare under previous coaches.Golden Gophers women’s basketball has been in action since 1973 and has competed as part of the Big Ten since 1982. The intense games of the grueling Big Ten season bring numerous hard-fought battles to Williams Arena. Tickets are available by phone, online, or in person at Williams Arena.
6. Minnesota Lynx
City: Minneapolis, MN
Category: Spectator Sports
Telephone: (612) 673-8400
Description: The Lynx share the Target Center with the Timberwolves; the season begins in late May and ends in early August. Though the WNBA is still very much up-and-coming compared to the NBA—you will never have difficulty getting tickets to any Lynx game—the women of the Minnesota Lynx have won a strong local following. The big excitement of the 2010 season is the Lynx’s acquisition of Lindsay Whalen, a national star when she played for one of the Gophers’ best teams in recent memory. Tickets start at $10, and parking is convenient at Target Center’s adjacent ramp.
City: Minneapolis, MN
Category: Spectator Sports
City: Minneapolis, MN
Category: Spectator Sports
City: Minneapolis, MN
Category: Spectator Sports
City: Minneapolis, MN
Category: Spectator Sports
City: Minneapolis, MN
Category: Spectator Sports
City: Minneapolis, MN
Category: Spectator Sports
City: Minneapolis, MN
Category: Spectator Sports
14. Minnesota Swarm
City: Minneapolis, MN
Category: Spectator Sports
Telephone: (651) 602-6600
Description: Playing their first regular-season game in 2005, the Minnesota Swarm have met unexpected success playing a sport—lacrosse—that’s decidedly under the radar in the Minnesota sports galaxy. The Swarm’s approach emphasizes fun and fan value, and at the pro level lacrosse can be a very exciting game to watch. It also helps that the Swarm play at the Xcel Energy Center, well known to sports fans as the home of the Minnesota Wild. Single-game tickets run $24–$82, and if you enjoy yourself, you might want to consider buying a relatively affordable season-ticket package for the following year.