The Xcel Energy Center is a sports arena in Saint Paul, Minnesota, U.S. and is sponsored by Xcel Energy. The Xcel Energy Center is home to the NHL's Minnesota Wild and the NLL's Minnesota Swarm. The ownership of the Xcel Energy Center lies with the city of Saint Paul and is operated by the Minnesota Sports & Entertainment who are also the owners of the Wild and Swarm.
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The Xcel Energy Center contains four spectator levels which entail a suite level and three general seating levels which have been named as the 100 level, the club level and the 200 level. The official seating capacity of the arena is 18,064.
The Xcel Energy Center opened and inaugurated in the fall of 2000. The arena is called the "X" by fans and has been constructed on the site of the demolished St. Paul Civic Center. In the year 2004, the arena was named by ESPN as the best overall sports venue in the United States.
The Xcel Energy Center has been the host to numerous events since it first opened up. It is the current site of the Minnesota Boys' High School Hockey, the Minnesota Girl's High School Tournament and the High School Wrestling tournaments, as well as the host of the Minnesota State High School League-sponsored volleyball state tournament. In the year 2002, the Xcel Energy Center hosted the NCAA Frozen Four and would also be hosting the same event again in the year 2011. Furthermore, the National Lacrosse League's Minnesota Swarm began their regular season playing in the the Xcel Energy Center in January, 2005.