A City Where People PLAY

The Sports Epicenter of Minnesota
Saint Paul’s Xcel Energy Center in the heart of downtown is home to some of Minnesota’s premiere sports teams including the Minnesota Wild – the 2000 NHL expansion franchise team that Capital City Partnership funded and led the successful effort to lure to Saint Paul – and the National Lacrosse League’s Minnesota Swarm. The American Association Baseball League’s Saint Paul Saints play at Saint Paul’s Midway Stadium.

Xcel Energy Center is a multi-purpose entertainment venue that hosts over 150 events annually and serves as an overall economic driver in the Saint Paul economy. A recent study revealed that 83% of all Xcel patrons come from outside of Saint Paul and spend an estimated $23 million annually. The arena has boosted Saint Paul’s economy by $100 million per year and the Twin Cities economy by $250 million.

Xcel Energy Center hosted the 2008 Republican National Convention and the 2008 U.S. Figure Skating Championships and has been recognized as one of the best venues worldwide for sporting events, concerts, and family shows. ESPN the Magazine has twice ranked Xcel Energy Center No. 1 for “Best Stadium Experience,” SportsBusiness Journal recognized the venue as the “Best NHL Arena,” Forbes magazine recognized it for the “Best Fan Experience,” and Sports Illustrated named the arena its “top choice” among NHL buildings.

Arts & Culture
Arts and culture is a driving force in Saint Paul’s economy and enhances the region’s quality of life. Saint Paul proudly serves as home to more than 200 arts and cultural organizations, ranging from small, neighborhoodbased collectives to world-class museums and performance centers. Saint Paul’s unique attractions differentiate the city as the cultural capital of Minnesota, as evidenced by the Twin Cities having more live theater seats per capita than in any U.S. city except New York City.

Thriving cities support their arts and cultural assets. Capital City Partnership is a strong partner with the Saint Paul Arts & Culture Partnership, which strengthens Saint Paul’s arts and cultural organizations through collaborative marketing, advocacy, and securing public and private funding. Capital City Partnership, as well as other downtown organizations, also supported Saint Paul’s arts and cultural assets through funding for the Science Museum of Minnesota’s new, $100 million, state-of-the-art facility and providing financial resources Ordway Center for the Performing Arts’ production of Irving Berlin’s WHITE CHRISTMAS musical.

Capital City Partnership also administers the Saint Paul Sister Cities Program on behalf of the City of Saint Paul to help enrich the cultural fabric of the city. This program is a diplomacy network that strives to further global exchanges at all levels of the community with 11 Sister Cities. Capital City Partnership has led the administration of this program since 2006 and is implementing a 4-year Strategic Plan that includes creating a new website, coordinating delegation trips to Sister Cities, and focusing on government exchanges, cultural enrichment, educational relationships, and economic opportunities.