Rent a Bus to Target Center: Timberwolves & Concert Group Guide

If you are organizing a group trip to Target Center, the single question that keeps an organizer up at night is this: where exactly does the bus drop everyone off, and where does it wait while the game is on? Most rental pages leave that part fuzzy. This guide answers it plainly, using the venue's own published information and Minneapolis Parking's official charter bus program, then walks you through everything else a group trip needs: which vehicle fits your crew, what drives the price, how parking actually works on a packed Timberwolves playoff night, and why the post-game rideshare line on 1st Avenue is the one thing nobody budgets for until they're standing in it.

Party Bus St Paul runs these Target Center trips across the Twin Cities metro regularly — from Saint Paul and the eastern suburbs to Edina, Eden Prairie, Minnetonka, and Burnsville. The logistics below come from doing it, not from a brochure. For the full picture of how we handle sporting events and concerts across the Cities, see our sporting event party bus rental service.

Why a Group Should Rent a Bus to Target Center

Downtown Minneapolis on a Timberwolves playoff night looks like this: I-394 backed up from the 6th Street exit to the Lowry Tunnel, every ramp on the ABC complex at capacity by tipoff, and rideshare surge pricing already running 2x before the fourth quarter ends. The ABC Ramps — the three state-owned parking structures directly adjacent to Target Center — start at $10 for most events and climb to $75 or more on high-demand playoff nights, per reporting from the Star Tribune. And that's before you factor in the post-game pedestrian crawl out of the ramp and the I-394 onramp parking lot.

A Saint Paul party bus or charter bus rental to Target Center solves every piece of that. Your group boards together at a pickup point in the Cities or suburbs, the bus drops everyone at the Target Field Plaza off 7th Street North — steps from the Target Center entrance — and the bus waits while your group is inside. No carpool logistics.

No drawing straws for who stays sober. No hunting for parking at $50 a car. And when the buzzer sounds, you walk out to a bus that's already there, not to a rideshare app showing a 20-minute wait and 3x pricing.

Plus, for fan groups coming in from the suburbs — Eden Prairie, Minnetonka, Burnsville, Eagan, or Woodbury — the math on one bus versus five separate cars is usually decisive. One flat rate per group beats paying for gas times five, parking times five, and a designated driver times five. Call 218-520-3551 for a free quote built around your exact headcount and pickup location.

Charter Bus Drop-Off at Target Center: Exactly How It Works

Here is the part that most rental pages get wrong or leave vague. Let's go straight to the source.

Per Target Center's official getting-here page, buses and motor coaches drop off and pick up passengers at the Target Field Plaza off 7th Street North. That plaza sits on the northwest side of the arena block, placing your group within a short walk of the main Target Center entrance on 1st Avenue North. This is a distinct zone from the regular rideshare drop-off area — and using it means your group isn't funneled through the same congested 1st Avenue corridor that individual rideshares navigate.

The ADA drop-off and pick-up location is separate: the corner of 1st Ave and 6th Street, near the Life Time Lobby entrance. If anyone in your group has mobility needs, our team will arrange for an ADA-accessible vehicle and coordinate the correct drop point when you book.

Bus Parking: The Permit You Have to Buy in Advance

Here is the detail that catches first-timers off guard every time. If your charter bus is staying parked while your group is inside — rather than drop-and-return — you must purchase a parking permit in advance. There is no walking up to pay on the day of the event.

Per Minneapolis Parking's official charter bus page: standard bus parking runs $30 per event; overnight parking is $40 and is available in Zone 6 at 950 Hawthorne Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55403. Permits must be reserved online at the MyParkingInfo portal or by calling 612-343-7275 (Monday–Friday, 8 AM–4 PM). The permit must be printed and displayed in the front window, and the bus must park between the zone traffic signs.

No RV or motor home parking is allowed, and tailgating is prohibited at all permit zones.

One note worth knowing for big events: MPLS Parking's charter bus permit system covers Target Center, Target Field, U.S. Bank Stadium, and several major entertainment venues in downtown Minneapolis under a single program. The $30 permit for a bus that seats 40–56 passengers replaces the cost of 8–12 individual cars each paying $15–$25 in an event ramp — and the math gets sharper fast on a $75 playoff-night lot.

We handle all of this as part of the booking. When you call 218-520-3551, confirming the permit and the exact drop zone for your event date is part of the job — not something you discover at a closed lane after driving in from Woodbury.

Every Way to Get to Target Center: An Honest Comparison

Minneapolis has solid transit infrastructure, and we'll be straight with you: a private bus isn't the right call for a group of two or three people. Here's how all the options actually stack up for a group of 15 or more heading to a Timberwolves game or a major concert.

The honest breakdown: for two to four people already living near downtown or a Metro Blue/Green Line station, the light rail to the Warehouse District/Hennepin Avenue Station (one block from Target Center) is fast, cheap, and genuinely enjoyable. For Southwest suburbs residents near Eden Prairie, Chanhassen, or Chaska, SouthWest Transit's SW Shuttle to select events is worth checking at SouthWest Transit's event service.

But the moment your group fills more than two or three cars, the math shifts fast. Five separate cars means five separate parking payments at $25–$75 each, five different arrival windows, and at least five people who can't have a drink. One bus handles all of it for a single, predictable rate.

The per-person number almost always surprises groups when they actually do the math.

What Size Bus Fits Your Group?

Not every Target Center trip needs the same vehicle. Here's how our fleet breaks down for a game night or concert run in Minneapolis.

For fan groups who want the energy to start before tipoff, our 15- to 50-passenger party buses come with a built-in bar, color-changing LED lighting, and a Bluetooth sound system to keep the game-day hype building from your Saint Paul or Burnsville pickup straight through the I-394 approach. For larger crews or company outings where the ride itself is more polished, a full-size charter bus gives you onboard WiFi and power outlets so the work-night crowd can knock out emails before the opening buzzer. ADA-accessible vehicles are always available — just let us know before your departure date so we can arrange the right fit.

What Does a Target Center Bus Rental Cost?

Party Bus St Paul offers all-inclusive pricing online in under 30 seconds — you'll know the exact number before you ever book. The quote is shaped by a handful of factors that work in your favor as the group gets larger:

• Group size and vehicle — a 56-passenger charter bus and a 14-passenger Sprinter limo carry different rates.
• Total hours — how long the vehicle is dedicated to your group, including pre-game time and the post-game wait.
• Pickup location — a Saint Paul pickup is a shorter run than a multi-stop suburb sweep through Eden Prairie and Minnetonka.
• Date and event — a regular-season Tuesday prices differently from a playoff elimination game or a sold-out arena concert.

For real ranges: 14-passenger Sprinter limos run $170–$344/hour; 15–20 passenger party buses run $204–$378/hour; 20–30 passenger party buses run $244–$414/hour; 35–50 passenger party buses and minibuses run $294–$490/hour; and 40–56 passenger charter buses run $150–$300/hour or $1,200–$2,500/day. You will never be surprised by hidden costs. Note that the $30 bus parking permit is a separate, pre-purchased item handled through MPLS Parking.

Here's the math that settles the conversation for most groups. A 40-person fan group splitting one charter bus at $2,000 for the evening pays $50 per person — covering the round trip, the parking headache, and the post-game wait, all in one number. That same 40 people in eight cars would spend $25–$75 per car to park, gas money from wherever they came from, and at least eight people who couldn't have a beer.

Check out our party bus prices page for current rate ranges, or call 218-520-3551 any time for a free quote at no obligation to you.

A Real Game-Night Example

To put actual numbers behind that math: for a first-round Timberwolves playoff game last spring, a 35-person group from the eastern suburbs booked a 40-passenger party bus. Pickup was at 5:30 PM from a central Woodbury location, at the Target Field Plaza drop-off by 6:45 PM — well before the 7:00 PM tip. The group grabbed food at a Warehouse District bar, walked into Target Center at 6:55, and the bus waited nearby for a 10:30 PM post-game pickup.

The 5-hour all-inclusive rental came to $1,800 — about $51 per person, with no one paying $75 to park and no one stuck in the post-game I-394 crawl.

Getting There: Routes, Traffic & Timing From the Twin Cities

Target Center sits in the heart of downtown Minneapolis at 600 First Ave. North, right at the edge of the Warehouse and Entertainment District. It's well-positioned for groups coming from anywhere in the metro — but the approach roads are where things get complicated on event nights.

Those times don't tell the whole story on event nights. I-394 eastbound from the western suburbs toward the 6th Street exit runs slow from about 5:30 PM on weeknight games — and on big playoff nights, that stretch can add 30–45 minutes. The ongoing I-94 and I-394 bridge and ramp work between downtown Minneapolis and Highway 100, which MnDOT confirmed continues through November 2026, periodically shifts lane configurations and extends delays well outside normal rush hours.

Post-game on I-394 westbound is consistently the worst exit window in the entire metro on game nights — thousands of fans hitting the same ramp within the same 20-minute window.

For a Saint Paul party bus or charter bus coming in on I-94 westbound, the approach is more forgiving, but post-game I-94 eastbound toward Saint Paul can back up for miles depending on the game-end time. We plan the approach route around the day's conditions and get the bus in position so it's ready when your group walks out — no guessing from the rideshare app, no waiting 25 minutes on 1st Avenue in January.

What's Happening at Target Center in 2026

Target Center is a year-round machine, and it's one of the busiest arenas in the Midwest. Here's the calendar that fills the vehicle supply fastest across the Twin Cities metro.

Minnesota Timberwolves

The Minnesota Timberwolves are the primary draw. The NBA home regular season runs October through April, with playoff runs extending into May and June if the team advances. The 2025–26 season included West Conference Semifinals matchups at Target Center, per current schedule data.

Playoff games are the single highest-demand period for a Saint Paul charter bus or Twin Cities party bus rental — the parking situation goes from "manageable" to "brutal" the moment the postseason starts, and vehicle supply follows the same curve. For playoff transportation, reach out as soon as the bracket sets. Games book within days of series announcements.

Minnesota Lynx

The Minnesota Lynx — four-time WNBA Champions — share Target Center for their home schedule running May through September. The Lynx draw strong group attendance, particularly for corporate outings and school or youth-group evenings. The 2026 schedule includes home games through the summer, with strong attendance during WNBA playoff contention.

Groups heading to Lynx games benefit from the same bus drop-off at Target Field Plaza and the same $30 parking permit structure.

Concerts and Arena Events

Target Center's concert season is continuous throughout the year, with the arena hosting major touring acts at capacities up to 20,500. The venue's 2026 schedule includes a range of events from the Ticketmaster venue calendar. Big concert nights share all the same parking pain as playoff games — the ABC Ramps fill early, I-394 backs up on the approach, and rideshare pricing spikes the moment the encore ends.

A Minneapolis charter bus rental to a major arena concert is the same logistics play as a game night: one bus, one flat rate, everyone out at the same time to a known pickup spot.

For any sold-out event or holiday-weekend concert, book your bus 4–8 weeks in advance. Vehicle supply in the Twin Cities thins fast during back-to-back event weekends.

Leaving Target Center After the Game: The Part Nobody Plans For

Getting in is easy. Getting out is where groups that didn't plan ahead spend 45 minutes standing on 1st Avenue.

When 19,000 fans exit Target Center within the same 15-minute window, three things happen simultaneously: the ABC Ramps back up into the street, rideshare surge pricing hits 2x or 3x, and the I-394 onramp from downtown becomes a one-lane parking lot. Fans who drove are stuck in the ramp. Fans who took rideshare are watching their estimated wait climb past 20 minutes while the surge price ticks up.

Metro Blue and Green Line trains fill to standing room, and the platform at Warehouse District/Hennepin Avenue backs onto the street.

With a bus, you skip it entirely. Your group sets a pickup window before anyone walks in — say, 30 minutes after the final buzzer at the Target Field Plaza on 7th Street — and the bus is parked and waiting. Everyone walks directly from the arena to a known spot, boards, and the bus routes back toward I-94 or I-394 before the ramp queue clears.

The group recaps the game while the post-game traffic untangles itself below the skyway. That's the actual value of a charter bus to Target Center — not just the ride in, but the exit.

Tips for Visiting Target Center

A few things every group should know before game night, straight from the venue and its published policies:

• Clear bag policy is in effect. Per Target Center's current policy, each guest may bring one clear plastic, vinyl, or PVC bag no larger than 12″ × 6″ × 12″, plus a small clutch no larger than 5″ × 8″. Backpacks, duffel bags, and non-clear bags are prohibited. The arena does not offer bag check, so prohibited bags must go back to the bus — one more reason having the bus nearby matters. Review the current policy at the official Target Center website before your event date, as it is subject to update.
• Pre-purchase your bus parking permit. The MPLS Parking online system at the MyParkingInfo portal is the only way to reserve — no day-of purchases available.
• Skyway access in winter. Target Center connects via climate-controlled skyway to the ABC Ramps and to downtown hotels and restaurants. For groups coming in January or February, the skyway route from nearby hotels keeps everyone warm and off the icy sidewalks.
• No tailgating in the ABC Ramps or MPLS Parking permit zones. Tailgating is explicitly prohibited. For fan groups that want a pre-game gathering, the Warehouse District bars within two or three blocks of Target Center are the practical substitute.
• Plan for Minnesota winters. January and February Timberwolves games mean below-zero wind chills are possible. The bus provides a warm staging area; build in a few extra minutes for loading in cold weather.

Trip Types We Cover to Target Center

Different groups, same goal: everyone arrives together, on time, without the parking headache. A few of the most common runs we handle:

• Fan groups and birthday celebrations. A Timberwolves game doubling as a group birthday or milestone night, with the party starting the moment the bus pulls away from the Saint Paul or suburban pickup.
• Corporate and company outings. Moving employees and clients from the office to a suite or premium seat without anyone worrying about parking or the post-game I-394 crawl. See our corporate event transportation service.
• Concert groups. Arena-scale shows where rideshare surge pricing after the encore is the thing everyone regrets — a charter bus takes the group straight to the entrance and is ready when the lights come up.
• Bachelorette and celebration groups. Pre-game at a Warehouse District rooftop bar, game at Target Center, then bar-hopping on the North Loop afterward — no drawing straws for a designated driver.
• Youth and school groups. Chaperoned outings to Timberwolves or Lynx games where one bus keeps everyone accountable and the organizer isn't managing a 12-car carpool through downtown parking.

The Warehouse District: What to Do Before and After

Target Center sits at the edge of one of Minneapolis's most walkable entertainment corridors. The Warehouse District and North Loop neighborhoods offer a dense concentration of restaurants, bars, and live-music venues within a short walk of the arena — which matters for a group with two hours before tipoff and nowhere to be.

• First Avenue (701 First Ave. N) — one of the country's most historic live-music venues, where Prince recorded Purple Rain, sits two blocks from Target Center. On non-concert nights at First Ave, groups hit the attached 7th St Entry bar for a pre-game atmosphere unlike any sports bar in the city.
• Gluek's Restaurant & Bar (16 6th St. N) — a Minneapolis institution since 1857, half a block from the Target Center entrance. The single-building pre-game crowd on a Timberwolves night makes it one of the most energetic spots in the Warehouse District.
• Kieran's Irish Pub (85 6th St. N) — two blocks from the arena, reliable for large group pre-games with its wide-open floor plan.
• North Loop bars along Washington Avenue North, a 10-minute walk from Target Center, are the post-game move for groups who want to let the exit traffic clear before boarding the bus. Having the bus hold at the Target Field Plaza while the group does a 45-minute bar stop is exactly the kind of flexibility a chartered vehicle gives you that rideshare never can.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where exactly does a charter bus drop off at Target Center?

Per Target Center's official getting-here guidance, buses and motor coaches drop off and pick up at the Target Field Plaza off 7th Street North. That positions your group on the northwest side of the arena block, a short walk to the main 1st Avenue entrance. The ADA drop-off is separately at the corner of 1st Ave and 6th Street near the Life Time Lobby.

We confirm the exact drop approach for your specific event when you book.

Does a charter bus need a parking permit at Target Center?

Yes. Per MPLS Parking's official charter bus program, any bus parked downtown during an event must purchase a permit in advance through their online system at the MyParkingInfo portal or by calling 612-343-7275. Standard event parking runs $30; overnight is $40 in Zone 6 at 950 Hawthorne Ave. No day-of permits are sold at the zone — the permit must be printed and displayed in the bus's front window.

We secure this as part of your booking.

How much does it cost to rent a bus to Target Center?

Pricing depends on vehicle size, total hours, your pickup location, and the event date. As a guide: 14-passenger Sprinter limos run $170–$344/hour; party buses (15–20 passengers) run $204–$378/hour; mid-size (20–30) run $244–$414/hour; large party buses and minibuses (35–50) run $294–$490/hour; and full-size charter buses run $150–$300/hour or $1,200–$2,500/day. The $30 MPLS Parking permit is a separate pre-purchase.

All-inclusive quotes in under 30 seconds at 218-520-3551.

How far in advance should we book for a Timberwolves playoff game?

As early as the series bracket is set — ideally the same day. Playoff games book within 48–72 hours of the schedule announcement. Regular-season games and most concerts have more breathing room; 2–4 weeks of lead time is workable outside peak periods.

For the earliest playoff rounds, the metro vehicle supply is heavily committed by game day. Call 218-520-3551 the moment you have a confirmed date.

Can the bus wait for us during the game and pick us up after?

Yes. The bus is reserved as a block of hours. Your group sets the post-game pickup window before anyone walks into the arena, and the bus is parked at Target Field Plaza and ready when the buzzer sounds.

There's no surge pricing, no 20-minute wait, and no regrouping on a busy sidewalk in a Minnesota January.

Is tailgating allowed near Target Center?

Tailgating is explicitly prohibited in the ABC Ramps and in all MPLS Parking charter bus permit zones. The Warehouse District bars within two to three blocks of Target Center are the practical pre-game move for groups who want that energy. Having the bus nearby means you can grab seats at Gluek's or Kieran's without anyone worrying about the drive.

What's the closest light rail stop to Target Center?

The Warehouse District/Hennepin Avenue Station on both the Metro Blue and Green Lines is approximately one block from Target Center. For a small group already near a light rail station, it's a genuinely good option on a clear night. For a group of 15 or more coming from the suburbs or Saint Paul, the hassle of getting everyone to the same station at the right time usually tips things toward one bus.

Do you serve locations outside Minneapolis and Saint Paul?

Yes. We handle Target Center trips from across the Twin Cities metro — Woodbury, Eagan, Burnsville, Eden Prairie, Minnetonka, Maple Grove, Brooklyn Park, Bloomington, and beyond. Multi-stop suburb pickups are common for larger groups; the bus sweeps a route and collects everyone before heading downtown.

Tell us your headcount and the pickup areas when you call and we'll build the right routing into the quote.

Are ADA-accessible buses available?

Yes — ADA-accessible vehicles are always available. Just let us know your group's needs before your departure date so we can arrange the right vehicle and confirm the correct drop point at Target Center (1st Ave and 6th Street, by the Life Time Lobby entrance).

Book Your Target Center Bus Today

Whether it's a Timberwolves playoff run, a Lynx game, or a sold-out arena concert, the bus your group needs is one call away. Party Bus St Paul has access to a full fleet of Sprinter vans, party buses, minibuses, and charter buses across Saint Paul and the entire Twin Cities metro — and we drop your group at Target Field Plaza while everyone else is paying $75 to park and waiting 20 minutes for a rideshare. Give us a call any time at 218-520-3551 for an all-inclusive price quote in under 30 seconds, or use our online tool for instant availability.

Sources & Last Verified

Parking rates, drop-off logistics, and permit procedures at Target Center change by season and event. Details in this guide were verified against official sources in June 2026. Confirm event-specific figures before your trip against the official pages below.

• Target Center — Getting Here (bus drop-off at Target Field Plaza, ADA drop-off location)
• Target Center — Parking (ABC Ramps, SpotHero, bus permit contact)
• MPLS Parking — Charter Bus Parking ($30 standard / $40 overnight, permit system, Zone 6 address)
• MPLS Parking — Online Permit Reservation System
• MnDOT — I-94 and I-394 Minneapolis Project (construction timeline through November 2026)
• SouthWest Transit — Event Shuttles (Eden Prairie, Chanhassen, Chaska service)
• Star Tribune — Parking Prices Near Target Center ($75 playoff-night rates)