A 14-year agreement with the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe will see the Minnesota Wild move into Grand Casino Arena in September 2025, bringing about a significant change in Saint Paul’s entertainment scene.
Grand Casino Mille Lacs and Grand Casino Hinckley, owned by the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe, and Minnesota Sports & Entertainment (MSE), the company that runs Xcel Energy Centre, today signed a 14-year naming rights agreement. Grand Casino Arena, which hosts the Minnesota Wild and more than 150 athletic and entertainment events per year in downtown Saint Paul, will be renamed starting on September 3, 2025.
“A vibrant entertainment district that revitalizes downtown Saint Paul will be anchored by Grand Casino Arena,” stated Craig Leipold, Minnesota Sports & Entertainment’s key investor and majority owner. “This community has received a lot of assistance and investment from the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe. We are ecstatic for their collaboration and venue support.
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Grand Casino CEO Ronda Weizenegger stated, “This is more than just a name change—it’s a signal of where we’re headed as a business.” “The Grand Casino Arena is a testament to the resilience of tribal business and our continued commitment to Minnesota’s future. In order to realize this goal, we are honoured to collaborate with the Minnesota Wild. Additionally, I would like to thank Ted Johnson of Norden Strategies for helping to make this occasion happen.
Jeff LaFrance, Grand Casino’s head of marketing, stated, “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.” “From in-arena surprises to digital activations, we’re creating something truly remarkable.”
The centre ice symbol and all other external and interior signs identifying Grand Casino Arena will be updated as part of this new relationship. Before the 2025–2026 NHL regular season begins, all of the arena’s signage will be changed.
In addition, the Minnesota Wild would like to express their gratitude to OVG Global Partnerships for their cooperation and strategic advice in negotiating this wonderful naming rights agreement.
On April 15, 2025, the Minnesota Wild announced a new multi-year agreement with Xcel Energy to be a significant commercial and community partner of the organization. After a fruitful 25-year collaboration, the current arena naming rights arrangement with Xcel Energy comes to an end.
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