Stadium Guides – Page 2 – Sports Fan Focus

This is a guide to Target Field, home of the Minnesota Twins. Target Field is one of the newer ballparks in Major League Baseball, and is a popular summer attraction for those in and around Minneapolis. In the sections below we discuss some of the most important information regarding Target Field. In this article we discuss: Ticket InformationStadium InformationPolicies ***Please Note: This guide is just to serve as a helpful resource for fans hoping to attend Target Field. This is not an official information guide issued by the Twins, and this site has no affiliation with the Minnesota Twins or Major League Baseball. For official information, visiting the Twins team website is advised (info). Twins Ticket Information Vivid Seats: I like to use Vivid Seats to buy my MLB tickets. Not only do they have a buyer's guarantee, I love the fact that they show me what my view from the seats will look like prior to purchase, which is an advantage you don't get when buying at the stadium. Click here to view Twins tickets available at Vivid Seats (affiliate link takes you to VividSeats.com). Of course, you can buy at the stadium or through the Twins official website while ticket supplies last (check here), but often times buying through Vivid Seats gives you a wider range of tickets and prices to choose from. If you choose not to buy your tickets at Target Field, or through the Twins website, my favorite place to buy MLB tickets online is Vivid Seats. Can You Buy Twins Tickets at Target Field? Yes, you can buy tickets at Target Field. On game days, the main Twins Ticket Office at Target Field is located on Target Plaza near Gate 29 in the Right Field entrance (view). Target Plaza is a walking bridge and public gathering area connecting Target Field to downtown Minneapolis. The Ticket Office is located near the Majestic Team Store. Need Tickets? I like to avoid lines at the stadium and instead buy my tickets online from Vivid Seats. I like to use Vivid Seats because they show me what my view from the seats will look like prior to purchase, which is an advantage you don't get when buying at the stadium. Click here to view Twins tickets available at Vivid Seats (affiliate link takes you to VividSeats.com). Despite this, there are several reasons that relying on the ticket office at the stadium is not wise. Not only are lines potentially long, you run the risk of getting to the stadium only to find out no more tickets are available. Using online ticket websites can be more convenient. You can contact the Twins Ticket Office via phone or email for more information on purchasing tickets at the stadium or through the Twins website (info). **To read more about buying Twins tickets at Target Field, visit our article Can you buy Twins tickets at Target Field? Target Field Box Office Hours The Twins Ticket Office at Target Field is open during the season on non game-days Monday through Friday from 9:00am– 5:00pm, and Saturdays 10:00am – 4:00pm (source). On game days, the Target Field Box Office will open at 9:00am and remain open until 30 minutes after the conclusion of the game. Need Tickets? I like to avoid lines at the stadium and instead buy my tickets online from Vivid Seats. I like to use Vivid Seats because they show me what my view from the seats will look like prior to purchase, which is an advantage you don't get when buying at the stadium. Click here to view Twins tickets available at Vivid Seats (affiliate link takes you to VividSeats.com). Where is Will Call at Target Field? Will call tickets can be picked up at any ticket window or ticket kiosk at Target Field (source). Look at the ticket office section above to see the location of ticket windows, and of the main ticket office. How Long Does a Twins Game Last? In 2019, the average Twins game lasted 3 hours and 14 minutes (source). This put the Twins slightly above the average for all of baseball, which was 3 hours and 10 minutes. Obviously, the length of any one individual Twins game may vary greatly from the next due to several different factors. In general, planning on between 3 and 3.5 hours is best. Where to Buy Twins Tickets Online? Vivid Seats - I personally like to use Vivid Seats to buy my MLB tickets. VividSeats.com is very easy to navigate and they give me a perspective of what the seat will look like when I'm sitting in it. Vivid Seats has a 100% Buyer Guarantee where they will make sure your tickets are safe and secure. Click here to view Twins tickets available at Vivid Seats (affiliate link takes you to VividSeats.com). Target Field Information What direction does Target Field face? Target Field faces east. This is a bit different than other MLB stadiums, many of which have more of a northeast orientation. Target Field faces directly east. Home plate is in the west part of Target field and center field is in the east part of Target field. For afternoon games, third base line and left field seats will be directly in the sun. As the day gets later, right field and first base seats will get more shade. Eventually for evening games, shade will move up to the third base and left field seats. Is Target Field real grass? Yes, Target Field has real grass. Prior to Target Field, when the Twins played in the old Metrodome, they had artificial turf. When the Twins moved to Target Field, which is an open-air stadium, the switch was made to real grass. The kind of grass that makes up the surface for Target Field is Kentucky bluegrass. The team refers to the grass as a 4-way blend of Kentucky bluegrass. The sod was trucked in from a turf farm in Colorado named Graff’s Turf Farm. Where is the Twins Bullpen in Target Field? The twins have a unique bullpen setup at Target Field. Their bullpen is in left-center field, which is right next to the visiting team’s bullpen (view). Target Field has the bullpens literally right next to each other, with the Twins bullpen being further away from the field. The visiting team’s bullpen is next to the wall in left-center field, and the Twins bullpen sits directly behind it. Where is the visitor’s bullpen in Target Field? The visiting team bullpen at Target Field is in left-center field. As we mentioned, both bullpens are right next to each other (view). The visiting team’s bullpen is the bullpen that is closest to the field. The Twins bullpen is the one further back into the stands. This is a unique bullpen setup at Target Field that you don't see in other MLB stadiums. What is the 'deck' at Target Field? The deck, or officially the Skyline Deck, at Target Field is a section of seats in the leftfield corner of the ballpark. The deck is on the second level of seating which provides a great view of the entire field. These seats are reasonably priced. The cost of the tickets are usually around $30. These seats are a long ways from home plate, so keep that in mind if you want to bring binoculars. In addition, you likely won’t get many balls hit in this area during the game, so if you want to get a souvenir, getting there early to watch batting practice is probably best. There is also a Budweiser roof deck, but this is generally for company parties as it is for approximately 250 guests. This is a great area to socialize and enjoy company, but it is not a great spot to watch a game unless you get a seat up next to the railing. Is Target Field Heated? Yes, Target Field is heated. Target Field does have the ability to heat the soil and keep the field warm during cold conditions. The grounds crew will heat the field to get the grass to grow and keep it green when baseball starts in the spring. While most of the grass in Minnesota may still be brown from the winter, Target Field will be quite green when the Twins are playing. Minnesota can get extremely cold and it can still feel like winter when baseball starts in the spring. Having a heated field helps keep the field in playing shape. What is the Champions Club at Target Field? The Thomas Reuters Champions Club seats are the padded seats right behind home plate. Target field has many sections of seats throughout the stadium, but these Champions Club seats are some of the most exclusive seats in the stadium. While these seats can be hard to get and very expensive, they offer more than just seats to the game. These seats come with complimentary food and beverages. Here are some of the amenities that are included with these Championship Club seats: Access to an exclusive lounge on game daysPrivate restroomsPrivate entranceExclusive valet parkingSpecial credentials throughout the parkInvitations to exclusive Champions Club member events If you want to buy these tickets, it would be best to contact the Twins for more information. There may be a waiting list to buy these tickets. You can see a list of all the amenities and ticket details by clicking here. What is the Home Run Porch at Target Field? The Home Run Porch is an area of seating at Target Field located in left field and center field. The Home Run Porch seating is broken up into two sections. The names of the two sections are 'US Bank Home Run Porch Terrace' and 'US Bank Home Run Porch View'. The US Bank Home Run Porch Terrace is in sections 229 through 236. The US Bank Home Run Porch View is in sections 329 through 336. Again, these areas are in left and left center field. The seats in the US Bank Home Run Porch Terrace sections do offer some shade. Prices in the US Bank Home Run Porch Terrace are usually around $25-$30 and run about $5-$10 more expensive than the same seats in the US Bank Home Run Porch View. As always, this can change, so check ticket prices when you are looking for tickets. Does Target Field Have Coffee? Missing your coffee? If you are at a Twins game, you might be wondering if any of the concession stands or restaurants serve coffee. Does Target Field have coffee? Yes, Target Field has coffee (source). Coffee is available at Target Field in sections: 105, 109, 118, 126, 232, 237, 305, 319, and Delta SKY360° Club. Click here to view a seating map if you need help figuring out where you are in the stadium in relation to these coffee spots. Does Target Field Have a Roof? No, Target Field does not have a roof that covers the entire stadium. It is an open-air stadium. You will need to prepare to face the sun and elements when attending games at Target Field. **To read about what you might need, visit our article What to Bring to a Baseball Game. Is Target Field Covered? As we just discussed above, Target Field does not have a dome roof. It is an open-air stadium. There are, however, certain sections of seats that will be covered. There are two types of covered seats at Target Field. Although Target Field does not have a dome roof, there is a small canopy roof at the very top of the stadium that creates some covered seating at the upper parts of the top deck (view). There is also covered seating in the lower sections, which are shielded by the overhang of the upper decks. Target Field Policies ***Please Note: These sections are meant to be helpful resources for fans attending Target Field. As mentioned at the top, this website has no affiliation with the Minnesota Twins or Major League Baseball. MLB policies are subject to change, and may have changed since the last update to this article. Please visit Twins.com for all official information. Can You Smoke At Target Field? No, you cannot smoke at Target Field. It is a smoke-free stadium. Smoking is not allowed within Target Field or its appurtenant areas. This includes the ballpark itself, Target Plaza, the Promenade behind the ballpark and the 5th and 7th Street sidewalks adjacent to Target Field (source). Can You Vape at Target Field? No, you cannot vape at Target Field. Electronic cigarettes are subject to the same restrictions as tobacco use (see above). Can You Bring a Bag Into Target Field? Yes, you can bring a bag into Target Field, but it must be compliant with the current MLB bag policy. No bag larger than 16 inches by 16 inches by 8 inches is allowed into Target Field - to same a full list of bag restrictions, click here. ***Bag policies may be ammended by MLB at any time - checking with MLB before attending is advised. MLB does not currently have as strict of bag rules as the NFL or PGA, but using a clear stadium bag like this one might help reduce the amount of issues you encounter at the stadium gate. Can You Bring a Backpack Into Target Field? Only certain types of backpacks are allowed into Target Field. For example, clear soft-sided backpacks that also meet the sizing requirements (16x16x8in) will be allowed into the stadium (source). Multi-compartment backpacks, which is your typical standard backpack, are not allowed into Target Field. Remember, MLB and the Twins reserve the right to change bag policies at any time, and also reserve the right to inspect any bag entering the stadium. Checking with the Twins before attending never hurts to make sure policies have not changed since this article was updated. Even though certain types of backpacks are allowed, you'll need to make sure the contents of your backpack are in compliance with MLB policies and Twins' policies. Can You Bring a Diaper Bag into Target Field? Yes, you can bring a diaper bag into Target Field. Target Field bag policies advise that bags need to be smaller than 16x16x8" and not be hard sided. Click here to see the bag policy for Target Field. Contacting the Twins if you have any questions is advised. Can You Watch Batting Practice at Target Field? Yes, you can watch batting practice at Target Field. The official time that batting practice is held can fluctuate, but in general, most MLB teams begin batting practice roughly two and a half hours before game time. Typically, batting practice lasts 45 minutes per team. Target Field gates open for admittance 1 ½ hours prior to the first pitch for Monday through Thursday games, and 2 hours prior to the first pitch for Friday through Sunday games (source). Because of this, you can watch more of batting practice Friday through Sunday. Can You Bring a Baseball Glove into Target Field? Yes, you can bring a baseball glove into Target Field. Many fans like to bring a baseball glove in hopes that they can catch a ball that is hit into the seats. Can You Bring Binoculars into Target Field? Yes, you can bring binoculars into Target Field. Many fans like to bring a binoculars to help see the action, especially if they don't have field level seats. Can You Bring Sunflower Seeds into Target Field? Yes, you can bring sunflower seeds into Target Field for individual consumption. Most MLB stadiums also have sunflower seeds available at certain concession stands throughout the stadium. Can You Bring Peanuts into Target Field? Yes, you can bring peanuts into Target Field for individual consumption. Many types of foods are allowed into Target Field as long as they can't be easily thrown as a projectile onto the field. Can You Bring Sunscreen Into Target Field? Protecting your skin is critical if you will be spending all day exposed to the summer sun. Can you bring sunscreen into Target Field? Yes, you can bring sunscreen into Target Field. Currently, at the time this article is being posted, the Twins don't list aerosol cans as one of their prohibited items (source). This is noteworthy because some other MLB Stadiums prohibit aerosol cans. If you want to bring aerosol spray sunscreen with you, I would either call ahead to verify with Twins personnel that aerosol cans are allowed on stadium grounds, or just choose to pack sunscreen lotion instead. Click here to contact the Twins organization. Can You Bring Water Into Target Field? Bringing water with you to a game can help you save a bit of money on concession prices, and also help you stay hydrated in the heat. But is it allowed? Can you bring water into Target Field? Yes, you can bring water into Target Field as long as it meets stadium requirements. These are the two requirements for your water bottle if you want to bring it into Target Field: It must be factory-sealed (unopened).It must 32 ounces or less. Performance beverages, like Gatorade, are not allowed into Target Field. Can you bring empty water bottles into Target Field? Yes, you can bring empty water bottles into Target Field. According to the official information guide for Target Field, fans may bring "empty, plastic sport-type water bottles and fill them at any water fountain throughout the ballpark." Can you Bring a Blanket into Target Field? If you are headed to the stadium on a cool night, packing and bringing a blanket might help. Can you bring a blanket into Target Field? Yes, you can bring a blanket into Target Field. Blankets are not listed on Target Field's prohibited items list (source). That said, most stadiums ask that you keep others around you in mind. Bringing a blanket that affects the space of someone seated near you is not wise. When do Target Field Gates Open? As we discussed earlier, Target Field gates open for admittance 1 ½ hours prior to the first pitch for Monday through Thursday games, and 2 hours prior to the first pitch for Friday through Sunday games (source). ***For more information regarding the Twins, visit the Target Field Information Guide from Twins.com by clicking here.