Target Field power outage left Twins home opener in the dark

MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) - A power outage impacted Target Field on Friday, temporarily leaving the entire stadium and surrounding buildings in the dark on the day of the Minnesota Twins home opener.

Target Field power outage 

Timeline:

Target Field went dark at about 1:50 p.m., along with 1,540 other customers, according to Xcel Energy. 

An outage map from Xcel Energy states that power is expected to be restored at 3:15 p.m. The first pitch was scheduled for 3:10 p.m., but is now estimated to happen at 4:05 p.m.

Attendees at the game say long lines formed as fans initially weren't able to get in, but the line started to move after they were only asked to show their tickets instead of scanning them.

Concession stands also opened back up with fans saying card readers are working.

A few lights started to come back on at the stadium and the tarp was lifted off the field at about 2:30 p.m. 

More main lights began turning back on around 2:50 p.m. 

The scoreboards were illuminated shortly after, spurring cheers from fans.

Power was fully restored at about 3 p.m. with the first pitch estimated to happen at 4:05 p.m.

Pregame festivities are set to begin at 3:36 p.m., officials say. 

FOX 9's Pierre Noujaim was told by officials that pitchers need at least 50 minutes to warm up.

FOX 9 reporters at Target Field have not heard any complaints from fans in the stands, who remain enthusiastic despite the delays. 

Pregame festivities:

The Minnesota Twins say the pregame festivities include the following:

• Pregame Introductions: Both teams will be introduced along the foul lines, with red-and-blue "smoke mines" on-field pyrotechnics accompanying the Twins’ Home Opener starting lineup.
• In Memoriam: A video and moment of silence to honor members of the Twins family and our servicemembers lost during the offseason.
• Flag Ceremony: The American flag will be raised by retired Army Col. Eduardo Suarez, an alternate on the 1988 U.S. Olympic Shooting Team and a servicemember of 37 years; a giant American flag will be unfurled in the outfield by MyTwins Members and retired Master Sgt. Richard Krivanek of the Minnesota National Guard’s 133rd Airlift Wing.
• National Anthem: Sung by Aniya Bostick and Harriet Spencer, alternating in the role of Dorothy in the Children’s Theatre Company production of The Wizard of Oz, running April 21 through June 14.
• 2026 Winter Games Procession: Minnesota-connected Olympians and Paralympians celebrated on the field.
• Ceremonial First Pitches: Thrown by the silver medal-winning U.S. mixed doubles curling team of Cory Thiesse and Korey Dropkin, along with four-time Paralympic snowboarding medalist Mike Schultz.
• Twins Territory Flag: Raised by Adam Hjerpe and his son, Special Olympics athlete Steven, representing the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games.
• First Pitch

What they're saying:

At the start of the outage, the Twins told FOX 9, "The North Loop is experiencing a power outage. Our pregame ceremonies will begin in a delay until this issue is resolved."

Xcel Energy initially shared the following statement:

Shortly before 2 p.m. today, a power outage occurred in downtown Minneapolis affecting about 1,500 homes and businesses, including Target Field. Our crews quickly responded to the scene to assess the issue and are now working to determine the cause of the outage.
Their first priority will be to bring Target Field and other customers back online as soon as possible. We know losing power can be disruptive and appreciate everyone’s patience as crews complete the work.

Just after 3 p.m., Xcel Energy shared another statement: 

"We’re just hearing from our teams now that they’ve restored power to the stadium."

Twin fans still looking forward to home opener

Dig deeper:

Fans speaking to FOX 9 say they're willing to stick around for the Twins home opener even if the power outage delays the game.

One fan conveyed his excitement live, showing that rain and a blackout weren't enough to deter him from enjoying the game.

FOX 9 reporters at Target Field have not heard any complaints from fans in the stands, who remain enthusiastic despite the delays. 

Broadcast interrupted

Local perspective:

FOX 9 crews at the scene rolled with the punches after the power outage interrupted the live broadcast.

Here from FOX 9's Dawn Mitchell and Symone Woolridge below:

Minnesota TwinsTarget FieldMinneapolis