Minneapolis Convention Center Tickets

Minneapolis Convention Center Tickets & Events

A major downtown Minneapolis gathering place with signature domed roof elements, extensive skyway connections, and a 3,400-seat auditorium, Minneapolis Convention Center hosts conventions, expos, graduations, concerts, and live performances across a large modern campus. Minneapolis Convention Center tickets give you access to everything from consumer shows and regional expos to reserved-seat performances in a venue built for big crowds, flexible layouts, and year-round downtown events.

This page covers everything you need to know before you go — from finding the right seats to getting there, navigating the venue, and buying with confidence.

About Minneapolis Convention Center

Minneapolis Convention Center opened in 1990 and was significantly expanded in 2002, roughly doubling its size. Owned and operated by the City of Minneapolis, it is located at 1301 2nd Avenue South in downtown Minneapolis and spans roughly 1.6 million total square feet. Its event space includes about 475,000 square feet of exhibit space, a 28,000-square-foot ballroom, extensive meeting rooms, and a 3,400-seat auditorium, with capacity varying widely by configuration and event.

The venue is one of the largest convention and meeting facilities in the Upper Midwest and plays a central role in downtown Minneapolis’s convention and tourism economy. Its calendar includes conventions, trade shows, consumer and hobby expos, conferences, corporate events, graduations, banquets, and concerts and live performances in the auditorium.

Minneapolis Convention Center is especially known for its large-scale exhibit halls, dedicated auditorium, and climate-controlled skyway access, which is a major advantage during Minnesota winters.

Location & Transportation

Minneapolis Convention Center is located at 1301 2nd Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55403 — in downtown Minneapolis with access to the city’s skyway system, nearby hotels, and the downtown business and entertainment core.

Transit: Minneapolis Convention Center is served by Metro Transit. The METRO light rail Blue and Green Lines run through downtown Minneapolis with nearby stations, and numerous bus routes serve the downtown core. The Nicollet Mall station area is within walking distance via the skyway system, making transit a practical option for many events.

Driving and Parking: The venue has an on-site parking ramp with direct skyway access, along with numerous additional parking ramps and surface lots throughout downtown Minneapolis. It is located just off I-35W and I-94, providing straightforward highway access for drivers coming from across the metro.

Rideshare: Rideshare drop-off and pickup are readily available at downtown entrances. During large conventions, expos, and major ticketed events, expect congestion around start and end times and allow extra time for pickup after the event.

Nearby Accommodation: Numerous downtown hotels are within walking distance of Minneapolis Convention Center, including properties along Nicollet Mall and near the venue itself. Many downtown hotels connect to the skyway system, which can make winter access more comfortable.

Venue Navigation

Minneapolis Convention Center is a large, multi-level facility with exhibit halls, meeting room blocks, a ballroom, and an auditorium connected by concourses, escalators, and elevators. Understanding the layout before arriving helps you plan your entrance, walking time, and route to the correct hall or seating area.

Entrances and Access: Guests can enter through multiple street-level entrances, including access points along 2nd Avenue South and Grant Street. The venue also has skyway-level access that connects directly into the downtown skyway network and adjacent parking.

Concourse Levels: The facility is organized into exhibit halls A–E, meeting room blocks, a large ballroom, and the auditorium. These spaces are spread across multiple levels, so walking distances can be meaningful during large conventions and expos.

Accessibility: Minneapolis Convention Center includes accessible entrances, elevators, accessible parking, and accessible seating in the auditorium. As a modern city-owned facility, it is designed for ADA compliance.

Getting to Your Section: Extensive signage and event staff help direct attendees through the building. Because the facility is large, plan extra walking time between distant halls, especially during major shows or conferences.

Dining Options

Inside Minneapolis Convention Center

Food options inside Minneapolis Convention Center vary by event. On-site concessions and food service are operated by the center’s catering provider, with concession stands and cafés available during larger shows. For major conventions, expos, and auditorium events, checking food options early in your visit can help you avoid peak lines.

Outside the Venue — Downtown Minneapolis

Downtown Minneapolis offers extensive dining near the venue. Nicollet Mall has restaurants and bars within walking distance, while Eat Street along Nicollet Avenue south of the center adds more options before or after events. Many downtown bars and eateries are also accessible through the skyway system, which is especially useful during winter weather.

Security & Policies

Minneapolis Convention Center maintains security and venue policies that are updated regularly and may vary by event. Before attending, reviewing the current policy on the venue's official website is strongly recommended.

Bag Policy: Bag policies vary by event. Larger ticketed events and conventions may enforce bag checks and size restrictions set by the show organizer.

Commonly Prohibited Items: Commonly restricted items typically include weapons, outside food and drink at certain events, and other items restricted by individual event organizers.

Re-Entry: Re-entry policies vary by event and organizer. Event-specific re-entry rules are shown on the event listing.

Entry Procedures: Entry procedures vary by event. Expect ticket or badge scanning and possible bag checks at larger events. Arriving with a compliant bag and pre-downloaded tickets helps speed entry.

Other Venues in the Minneapolis Area

Minneapolis Convention Center is part of a busy Twin Cities live-events market that includes major sports venues, historic theaters, concert halls, and downtown clubs. The broader Minneapolis area gives fans a wide range of choices for concerts, theater, comedy, sports, and touring entertainment.

• Target Center Tickets — Major downtown arena; home of the Minnesota Timberwolves (NBA) and Minnesota Lynx (WNBA)
• Target Field Tickets — Ballpark; home of the Minnesota Twins (MLB)
• U.S. Bank Stadium Tickets — Enclosed stadium; home of the Minnesota Vikings (NFL)
• Orpheum Theatre Tickets — Historic downtown theater hosting Broadway tours, concerts, and comedy
• State Theatre Tickets — Historic downtown theater for concerts, comedy, and performances
• Pantages Theatre Tickets — Intimate historic downtown theater for concerts and live performances
• The Armory Tickets — Large downtown event and concert venue
• First Avenue Tickets — Legendary Minneapolis music club and concert venue
• Guthrie Theater Tickets — Renowned regional theater along the Mississippi riverfront
• Northrop Tickets — Performance hall on the University of Minnesota campus hosting concerts and dance
• Xcel Energy Center Tickets — Major arena in neighboring St. Paul; home of the Minnesota Wild (NHL)

How Much Do Tickets to Minneapolis Convention Center Cost?

Minneapolis Convention Center ticket prices vary widely depending on the type of event, the artist or show, seating section, and demand — which is what you'd expect from a venue that hosts everything from consumer shows and hobby expos to auditorium concerts and live performances.

Consumer shows and expos often have lower admission prices, typically around $10–$25. These events may use general-admission entry or show-specific admission structures, with pricing driven by the event type and demand.

Auditorium concerts and performances can range from moderate to higher pricing depending on the act, with tickets typically around $30–$100 or more. Reserved-seat performances may cost more for closer locations, high-demand dates, and popular touring artists.

Buying earlier generally provides better availability and pricing for popular auditorium events and expos. As inventory shrinks and the event date approaches, prices for the best remaining options can rise, especially for in-demand performances and large regional shows.

> No hidden fees. At Box Office Ticket Sales, the price you see is the price you pay. All fees are shown before checkout — no surprise charges when you reach the final step.

How to Buy Minneapolis Convention Center Tickets

Getting your tickets through BoxOfficeTicketSales.com is fast and secure. Here's how the process works:

1. Browse Minneapolis Convention Center events — Search for Minneapolis Convention Center tickets and select the show or event you want to attend
2. Pick your seats — Use the interactive seating map to compare sections, rows, views, and real-time pricing side by side
3. Secure checkout — Pay with a credit card, PayPal, Apple Pay, or Affirm for flexible payment options
4. Receive your tickets — Digital tickets are delivered to your email or mobile wallet before the event, ready to scan at the entrance

Every order is backed by our 100% verified ticket guarantee and on-time delivery promise. Once your order is confirmed, you'll receive an email with your invoice and all event details you need before show night.

Minneapolis Convention Center Seating Guide

Minneapolis Convention Center uses different layouts depending on the event. The 3,400-seat auditorium offers theater-style fixed seating for performances, while exhibit halls and the ballroom use flexible or temporary seating configured for each show, banquet, expo, or meeting.

Best Seats at Minneapolis Convention Center

• Best value: For auditorium performances, seats farther back in the theater-style seating area can offer a broad view of the stage while keeping prices more accessible for many buyers.
• Closest to the action: For concerts and live performances in the auditorium, seats nearer the stage deliver the most direct, up-close experience.
• Best overall experience: Mid-range reserved seating in the auditorium is often a strong balance of sightline, proximity, and overall room perspective.
• Premium and suite options: The large ballroom and meeting spaces can accommodate groups, banquets, and private functions, with layouts determined by the event.
• General admission: Some Minneapolis Convention Center events use general admission, while others use reserved seating. General-admission events provide flexible entry and viewing arrangements based on the event setup.

Minneapolis Convention Center Seating Chart

You can view an interactive seating map for Minneapolis Convention Center events directly on BoxOfficeTicketSales.com while browsing available listings. The map lets you compare sections side by side, check row depth and distance from the stage, and see real-time pricing for what's currently available — all before committing to a purchase.

Can I See Where My Seats Are?

Yes. The interactive seat map on BoxOfficeTicketSales.com shows your exact section and row placement before you buy. Use it to understand your position in the venue, your distance from the stage, and whether you're in the auditorium, an exhibit hall, or the ballroom — so the tickets you choose match exactly what you're looking for on event night.

Getting Ready for Your Minneapolis Convention Center Event

Once your tickets are confirmed, a few practical preparations make your visit run significantly smoother — especially at a large downtown convention facility with multiple halls, entrances, and skyway connections.

• Download your tickets before you leave. Minneapolis Convention Center is a modern facility with Wi-Fi, but downloading tickets in advance is a smart precaution during very large, crowded events. Save your tickets to your phone's wallet or screenshot them before departing so you're ready at the entrance without needing a signal.
• Charge your phone fully. Digital ticketing is standard, and your phone is your entry. A portable battery pack is worth having for a full evening.
• Arrive early. Arrive early for large conventions and expos to allow for parking and walking time, since downtown parking ramps can fill during peak events.
• Wear the right footwear. The facility is large, and long walking distances between halls are common on convention and expo days. Comfortable, supportive shoes can make a big difference.
• Dress in layers. Minneapolis Convention Center is indoor and climate-controlled with skyway access, but dressing for Minnesota weather is important when arriving, especially in winter.
• Build extra time into your transit plan. Large events can create heavier downtown traffic, fuller parking ramps, and longer walks through the building.
• Know your entrance. Your event hall, room, or seating area can determine the most efficient way in. A quick look at your event details before arriving helps you choose the right approach at a multi-entrance facility.
• Check the bag policy in advance. Reviewing the venue's guidelines before packing prevents delays at security.

Is Box Office Ticket Sales Legit?

Yes — Box Office Ticket Sales is a fully verified, secure ticketing platform that has served over 1 million customers since 2012. When you buy Minneapolis Convention Center tickets through BoxOfficeTicketSales.com, here's what backs every purchase:

• 100% verified ticket listings — every listing is authenticated before it reaches you
• On-time delivery guarantee — your tickets arrive before the event, or we make it right
• All seats together unless explicitly noted otherwise in the listing
• SSL-encrypted checkout — your payment information is protected at every step
• 24/7 TrustGuard monitoring — active security oversight around the clock
• Access to 125,000+ live events nationwide, from Minneapolis Convention Center concerts to major sports and entertainment across the country
• BoxOfficeTicketSales.com has been selling tickets for 21 years and is BBB accredited

Minneapolis Convention Center events — particularly marquee auditorium concerts, major expos, and busy convention dates — move fast. The best-value listings disappear well before event night, and inventory for popular events tightens quickly once demand builds. If you have a specific event in mind, acting sooner gets you better seats at better prices. Browse Minneapolis Convention Center tickets now and lock in your spot before inventory moves.

Need Help With Your Minneapolis Convention Center Tickets?

Our support team is available before, during, and after your purchase. Reach us through any of these channels:

• Live chat: Log in to your account at BoxOfficeTicketSales.com to chat with an agent
• Email: customersupport@boxofficeticketsales.com
• Phone: Call the number on your order confirmation invoice
• Buy by phone: Call 1-800-515-2171 to purchase tickets directly with a representative