The city of Minneapolis urged patience for visitors on Sunday as big crowds were expected to flood downtown for two pro sports games and a rock concert. The Lynx go first when they start their playoff run at noon at Target Center; the Vikings kick off at 7:20 p.m. at U.S. Bank Stadium while, just a couple of blocks away, the Los Angeles rockers Haim go on stage at the Armory at 7:30 p.m.
The crush of sports and music fans will likely fill the 18,000 parking spots managed by the city; there are thousands more spots owned by private operators like Impark, but drivers could use apps like Spot Hero, Park Whiz or ParkMobile to book a parking spot ahead of time. City officials, meanwhile, urged people to leave the car at home and use public transit, bicycles or be willing to park farther out and walk.
Sunday is just the start of a jam-packed schedule for the next six weeks of games, concerts and events that should bring some 1 million visitors to Minneapolis, the city said in a statement. The calendar includes a Paul McCartney concert, a convention for people who like sneakers, the Broadway premiere of the new Purple Rain musical, the Twin Cities Marathon and more, including:
- Sept. 19: If needed in the best-of-three playoff series, the Lynx would return to Target Center. Other playoff games would be scheduled in Minneapolis in the following weeks.
- Sept. 20:
- Open Streets Hennepin Avenue hosted by the Uptown Association — between 26th and 34th Streets — 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Farm Aid at Huntington Bank Stadium — Noon to 11 p.m.
- Dakota 40th Anniversary Block Party — Nicollet Mall — 2 p.m. to 10 p.m.
- Powderhorn Porchfest — 17th between 32nd and 34th Streets — 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.
- Avant Garden — Walker Art Center
- Minnesota Twins host a double-header with the Cleveland Guardians at Target Field — 1:10 p.m. and 6:10 p.m.
- Open Streets Hennepin Avenue hosted by the Uptown Association — between 26th and 34th Streets — 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Sept. 21:
- Vikings vs. Cincinnati Bengals at U.S. Bank Stadium — noon
- Vikings vs. Cincinnati Bengals at U.S. Bank Stadium — noon
- Sept. 27:
- The Gophers host Rutgers at Huntington Bank Stadium
- Sneaker Con runs at the Convention Center — 12 p.m. to 7 p.m.
- The Gophers host Rutgers at Huntington Bank Stadium
October
- Oct. 4: Warehouse District Live Oktoberfest Block Party — 1st Avenue Between 4th and 5th Streets — 6 p.m. to midnight
- Oct. 5: Twin Cities Marathon
- Oct. 11:
- The Gophers play Purdue at Huntington Bank Stadium
- The City of Lakes Art Fair runs through the weekend at Bde Maka Ska — 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday
- The Gophers play Purdue at Huntington Bank Stadium
- Oct. 16: “Purple Rain” debuts at the State Theatre for a monthlong run
- Oct. 17:
- Paul McCartney makes a stop at U.S. Bank Stadium for his “Got Back” tour at 8 p.m.
- The Golden Gophers play Nebraska at Huntington Bank Stadium for an evening game — 7 p.m.
- Paul McCartney makes a stop at U.S. Bank Stadium for his “Got Back” tour at 8 p.m.
- Oct. 19: Vikings vs. Philadelphia Eagles at U.S. Bank Stadium – noon
- Oct. 26: Timberwolves play their home opener vs. the Indiana Pacers at Target Center — 6 p.m.
