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Minnesota Wild's arena rebrands as Grand Casino Arena in historic Ojibwe partnership

A groundbreaking deal merges sports, business, and Indigenous heritage. Fans will experience Ojibwe traditions inside the newly renamed arena starting 2025.

,   and  Administrator
2 min read
The image shows a hockey game being played in a large arena, with a net in the center and people...
The image shows a hockey game being played in a large arena, with a net in the center and people sitting on chairs on either side. At the top of the image, there is a ceiling with lights and trusses, and banners with text and flags adorning the walls. The arena appears to be the St. Louis Blues Arena.

Minnesota Wild's arena rebrands as Grand Casino Arena in historic Ojibwe partnership

The Minnesota Wild's home arena in Saint Paul has a new name after a major sponsorship deal. Starting 3 September 2025, the venue will be called Grand Casino Arena, following a 14-year partnership with the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe. The agreement blends commercial sponsorship with cultural celebration, including events honouring Ojibwe traditions and history.

The naming rights deal was announced as part of a broader collaboration between the Wild and the Mille Lacs Band. Beyond branding, the partnership introduces new fan experiences, such as Grand Cove—a themed space inside the arena—and a redesigned Gate 1 showcasing Ojibwe culture. Social media contests, themed game nights, and sponsorship of the Beyond Our Ice video series are also planned.

On 28 November 2023, the organisations marked Native American Heritage Day during a Wild game against the Colorado Avalanche. The event featured traditional singers, a Flag Song honouring veterans from Minnesota's eleven tribes, and the unveiling of a redesigned Native American Heritage logo. A historic first also took place that night: an Ojibwe-language broadcast of the match. The broadcast was produced with FanDuel Sports Network and the Midwest Indigenous Immersion Network. Technical support came from the NHL, the Wild, and Minnesota State University, Mankato's Indigenous TV Center. Streamed live on the NHL's YouTube channel and the Wild's website, the broadcast used standard streaming technology with Ojibwe-speaking commentators Anton Treuer and Bill Bia. The arena, which hosts over 150 events and 1.7 million visitors annually, is central to the partnership's goal of creating a vibrant entertainment district in downtown Saint Paul. The collaboration highlights both business growth and cultural recognition, embedding Ojibwe heritage into the venue's identity.

The 14-year agreement renames the arena and integrates Ojibwe culture into the fan experience. New spaces, themed events, and the historic Ojibwe broadcast reflect the partnership's dual focus on business and heritage. The changes will take full effect when Grand Casino Arena officially opens in September 2025.

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