Allianz Field

Allianz Field is located on the north side of Interstate 94 between Snelling Avenue and Pascal Street in the Midway neighborhood of Saint Paul, Minnesota. The neighborhood is named for being midway between Downtown Minneapolis and Downtown Saint Paul.{{cite news |last=Melo |first=Frederick |date=April 7, 2019 |title=Allianz Field is just the beginning. Here's what's happening — and hoped for — around St. Paul's new soccer stadium. |url=https://www.twincities.com/2019/04/07/allianz-field-is-just-the-beginning-heres-whats-happening-and-hoped-for-around-st-pauls-new-soccer-stadium/ |work=Pioneer Press |access-date=April 14, 2019}} The stadium is located on several major transit routes, including the Snelling Avenue light rail station on the Metro Green Line and a set of stops served by the A Line bus rapid transit route.{{cite news |last=Melo |first=Frederick |date=April 7, 2019 |title=Drive? Bus? Shuttle? Here's how to get to St. Paul's new Allianz Field |url=https://www.twincities.com/2019/04/07/allianz-field-st-paul-parking-free-shuttle-green-line-bus-routes-mn-united/ |work=Pioneer Press |access-date=April 14, 2019}} The venue has fewer than 1,000 spaces of on-site parking, instead relying on public transit and off-site lots with shuttle buses. Minnesota United has also organized several designated areas for vehicle for hire pickups and dropoffs, as well as 400 parking spaces for bicycles.{{cite news |last=Harlow |first=Tim |date=April 13, 2019 |title=Going to Allianz Field? Here is how to get there |url=http://www.startribune.com/going-to-allianz-field-here-is-how-to-get-there/508239872/ |work=Star Tribune |access-date=April 14, 2019}} The city government of Saint Paul projects that 38 percent of match attendees will use public transit, while 23 percent will use off-site parking lots with shuttles, and 11 percent will use private parking closer to the stadium.{{cite news |last=Melo |first=Frederick |date=March 12, 2019 |title=Lots of transit options, but on-site parking at Allianz Field? Not so much |url=https://www.twincities.com/2019/03/12/how-will-20000-fans-get-to-st-pauls-allianz-field-they-have-lots-of-options-the-city-says/ |work=Pioneer Press |access-date=April 14, 2019}}

The stadium is a ring-shaped stadium, with seating for approximately 19,400 in the first phase and 24,474 in a future expansion that would fill the four corners.{{cite news |last=Greder |first=Andy |date=April 14, 2019 |title=Is Allianz Field too small? MLS Commissioner Don Garber thinks so |url=https://www.twincities.com/2019/04/14/is-allianz-field-too-small-mls-commissioner-don-garber-thinks-so/ |work=Pioneer Press |access-date=April 21, 2019}} It has a safe standing terrace for 2,920 supporters, named the "Wonderwall" after the club's unofficial anthem, located behind the south-end goal. The single-tier Wonderwall terrace was designed with a 34.9 percent incline and has no seats.{{cite news |last=Zgoda |first=Jerry |date=April 12, 2019 |title=Standing-only by design, Wonderwall holds 2,900 ardent noisemakers |url=http://www.startribune.com/standing-only-by-design-wonderwall-holds-2-900-ardent-noisemakers/508466872/ |work=Star Tribune |access-date=April 14, 2019}} The north end has a brewpub, named Brew Hall, and a manual scoreboard and 90-minute clock that were designed to resemble fixtures at the former home, National Sports Center in Blaine.{{cite news |last=Zgoda |first=Jerry |date=April 12, 2019 |title=Allianz Field's clock, scoreboard resemble those from National Sports Center |url=http://www.startribune.com/allianz-field-s-clock-scoreboard-resemble-those-from-national-sports-center/508529342/ |work=Star Tribune |access-date=April 14, 2019}}

The stadium was designed by Populous with deliberate sightlines and an "intimate atmosphere" in mind. The pitch sits {{convert|16|in|cm}} above the first row of seats and is composed of {{convert|97,000|sqft|sqm}} of turf from Heath Farms in Wisconsin, installed in October 2019 to replace the original Kentucky bluegrass from Colorado that suffered from drainage issues.{{cite news |last=Greder |first=Andy |date=September 9, 2019|title=Drainage Problem Has Allianz Field Replacing Grass|url=https://www.twincities.com/2019/09/29/drainage-problem-forces-new-turf-at-allianz-field-before-tommies-johnnies-mls-playoffs/|work=Twincities.com-Pioneer Press |access-date=October 10, 2019}}{{cite news |last=Zgoda |first=Jerry |date=April 11, 2019 |title=Get ready for faster soccer on pampered Allianz Field pitch |url=http://www.startribune.com/get-ready-for-faster-soccer-on-pampered-allianz-field-pitch/508466822/ |work=Star Tribune |access-date=May 3, 2019}} A glass-like polymer mesh oval exterior provides the stadium with a sleek facade. It is clad in PTFE, which covers the steel structure that holds the roof in place.{{cite news |last=Edgerton Martin |first=Frank |date=May 3, 2019 |title=The secret to Allianz Field's amped-up fan experience? It's wrapped in fabric |url=http://www.startribune.com/the-secret-to-allianz-field-s-amped-up-fan-experience-it-s-wrapped-in-fabric/509434222/ |work=Star Tribune |access-date=May 3, 2019}} With an overhang partially covering the field, the facade is expected to soften the noise towards the neighborhood. Color-changing LEDs light the exterior mesh in the same manner as Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany and MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.{{Cite news |url=https://www.twincities.com/2017/07/25/minnesota-united-naming-rights-soccer-stadium-st-paul/ |title=St. Paul's new Midway soccer stadium gets its name |date=July 25, 2017 |work=Pioneer Press|access-date=August 2, 2018 |language=en-US |last=Rathbun |first=Andy}} The first tests of the lighting system in December 2018, which ran overnight in the fog, drew complaints from neighboring residents due to the intensity of the colors.{{cite news |last=Melo |first=Frederick |date=December 20, 2018 |title=Intense light test at St. Paul's Allianz Field draws oohs, aahs — and questions after 12 hours |url=https://www.twincities.com/2018/12/20/intense-light-test-at-st-pauls-allianz-field-draws-oohs-aahs-and-questions-after-12-hours/ |work=Pioneer Press |access-date=April 14, 2019}}

The masterplan is pedestrian-oriented and designates {{convert|2.6|acre}} of outdoor gathering spaces. The stadium will be ringed by three grassy plazas and a fourth green space will be placed along University Avenue, near Snelling Avenue Station. Pascal Green will be on the east of the stadium; United Champion Plaza will be on the southwest corner; Victory Plaza will be on the north; and Midway Square will be north of Victory Plaza, along Snelling Avenue. Midway Square and Victory Plaza will express the north-south axis of the stadium.

These green spaces are planned to be progressively introduced in phases as property owner RK Midway waits for existing leases on its current tenants to end. However, the timeline of these phases has not been released to the city or the public, as of July 2016. The project drew criticism as the full realization of the masterplan could take many years.{{cite news |last1=Melo |first1=Frederick |title=Newest soccer stadium site plan has less green space |url=http://www.twincities.com/2016/06/10/newest-soccer-stadium-site-plan-has-less-green-space/ |access-date=July 31, 2016 |work=Pioneer Press |date=June 10, 2016}}

File:Construction of Allianz Field 02.jpg

A masterplan has been drawn up for the redevelopment of the broad area, including the stadium site and adjacent properties owned by RK Midway. This may include building new hotel and office space and the redevelopment of the existing shopping center.{{cite web |title=Midway-Snelling Site Plan Outlines Movie Theater, Hotel, Stadium, Park Plaza |first=Frederick |last=Melo |url=http://www.twincities.com/2016/02/18/midway-snelling-site-plan-outlines-movie-theater-hotel-stadium-park-plaza/ |newspaper=St. Paul Pioneer Press |date=February 18, 2016 |access-date=February 18, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160220051717/http://www.twincities.com/2016/02/18/midway-snelling-site-plan-outlines-movie-theater-hotel-stadium-park-plaza/ |archive-date=February 20, 2016}} The buildings occupied by Rainbow supermarket, Walgreens, Midway Pro Bowl and some adjoining spaces will be torn down. The masterplan calls for the redevelopment to be more pedestrian friendly, to accommodate large numbers of fans walking to and from the transit stations.

The southern half of the site was formerly a bus barn used by Metro Transit until it was demolished in 2002. Later a big-box store was pursued for the site but not built. The site was acquired decades earlier by the Metropolitan Council with help from the Federal Transit Administration so development of the site required federal government approval.{{cite web |title=St. Paul Fed-Financed Land Might Hinder Pro-Soccer Stadium Deal |first=Frederick |last=Melo |url=http://www.twincities.com/2015/08/17/st-paul-fed-financed-land-might-hinder-pro-soccer-stadium-deal/ |newspaper=St. Paul Pioneer Press |date=August 17, 2015 |access-date=February 23, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160228092133/http://www.twincities.com/2015/08/17/st-paul-fed-financed-land-might-hinder-pro-soccer-stadium-deal/ |archive-date=February 28, 2016}} The property had been the Snelling Shops, where streetcars were built and maintained for the Twin City Rapid Transit Company.Olson, Russel L. - The Electric Railways of Minnesota. Minnesota Transportation Museum, Hopkins/H. M. Smyth Co., St. Paul. (1976). The stadium itself primarily sits on this property.

On July 25, 2017, Allianz Life was announced as the sponsor for the stadium. Allianz Life, a subsidiary of German company Allianz, is headquartered in nearby Golden Valley.{{cite news |title=Minnesota United's New Soccer Stadium Will Be Allianz Field |first=Paul |last=Klauda |url=http://www.startribune.com/minnesota-united-to-announce-naming-rights-for-new-soccer-stadium/436331183/ |newspaper=Star Tribune |location=Minneapolis |date=July 25, 2017 |access-date=July 26, 2017}} It is one of eight sports facilities around the world that is sponsored by Allianz or its subsidiaries.{{cite web |title=MNUFC & Allianz Field |url=https://www.mnufc.com/post/2017/07/25/mnufc-allianz-field |publisher=Minnesota United FC |date=July 25, 2017 |access-date=July 26, 2017 |language=en}} The naming rights agreement with Allianz runs until the end of 2028 and costs an undisclosed amount.{{cite news |last=Kennedy |first=Patrick |date=February 24, 2019 |title=Minnesota United's stadium in St. Paul will be the eighth bearing Allianz's name |url=http://www.startribune.com/minnesota-united-s-stadium-in-st-paul-will-be-the-eighth-bearing-allianz-s-name/506243652/ |work=Star Tribune |access-date=February 24, 2019}}

Due to the stadium's resemblance to the floating city on Bespin in the fictional Star Wars universe, Allianz Field has gained the nickname "Cloud City."{{cite web |title=Cloud City Looks Dreamy: MN United Ceremoniously Break Ground on New St. Paul Stadium |url=http://fiftyfive.one/2016/12/cloud-city-looks-dreamy-mn-united-ceremoniously-break-ground-new-st-paul-stadium/ |work=FiftyFive.One |date=December 13, 2016}}

The stadium was planned to break ground in June 2016, but was delayed while the team awaited a tax-exemption from the state, similar to ones granted to other recent stadium projects. Despite the stadium construction being privately funded, the franchise owners stated that the tax-exemption was needed for the project's viability.{{cite news |title=St. Paul's Soccer Stadium Was Supposed to Break Ground in June. What Happens Now? |first=Frederick |last=Melo |url=http://www.twincities.com/2016/07/01/st-paul-united-fc-soccer-stadium-whats-next/ |newspaper=St. Paul Pioneer Press |date=July 1, 2016 |access-date=July 31, 2016}}

In addition, because stadium construction would eliminate Rainbow Foods – an anchor tenant in the Midway Shopping Center – strip mall owner RK Midway of New York faced lease complications with its smaller tenants. Industry analysts say intense competition between the grocery company SuperValu (which operated Rainbow within the strip mall) and rivals, primarily Hy-Vee, made it unlikely that Rainbow would terminate its lease early without a signed guarantee against a competitor moving into the shopping center.{{cite news |title=Groundbreaking Set for St. Paul Soccer Stadium, As Construction Snags |first=Frederick |last=Melo |url=http://www.twincities.com/2016/12/08/groundbreaking-set-for-st-paul-soccer-stadium-as-construction-snags/ |newspaper=St. Paul Pioneer Press |date=December 8, 2016 |access-date=February 5, 2017}}

A ceremonial groundbreaking was held on December 12, 2016, and was attended by MLS commissioner Don Garber. Major construction on the site began in June 2017.{{cite news |title=Minnesota United Officials Say 'big dig' at Stadium Site Will Begin in Spring |first=Jessie |last=Van Berkel |url=http://www.startribune.com/minnesota-united-to-hold-ceremonial-groundbreaking-for-st-paul-stadium/406049026/ |newspaper=Star Tribune |location=Minneapolis |date=December 12, 2016 |access-date=December 15, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161213212815/http://www.startribune.com/minnesota-united-to-hold-ceremonial-groundbreaking-for-st-paul-stadium/406049026/ |archive-date=December 13, 2016}} Steel erection began in November 2017 and construction reached a halfway milestone in late April 2018.{{cite news |last=Murphy |first=Brian |date=May 3, 2018 |title=Minnesota United halfway home with Allianz Field, 'the best' soccer stadium in U.S. |url=https://www.twincities.com/2018/05/03/minnesota-united-halfway-home-with-allianz-field-the-best-soccer-stadium-in-u-s/ |work=St. Paul Pioneer Press |access-date=May 7, 2018}} On Jan 23, 2019, the logo for the inaugural season was revealed as an interpretation of the stadium.{{cite news |last=Adams |first=Lennon |date=January 23, 2019 |title=Allianz Field Inaugural Season logo |url=https://mnufc.com/post/2019/01/23/introducing-allianz-field-inaugural-season-logo |work=MNUFC News}} Construction on the stadium was completed by Mortenson Construction on February 27, 2019, after 20 months of work.{{cite news |last=Melo |first=Frederick |date=February 27, 2019 |title=Mortenson Construction completes Allianz Field soccer stadium in St. Paul's Midway |url=https://www.twincities.com/2019/02/27/mortenson-construction-completes-allianz-field-soccer-stadium-in-st-pauls-midway/ |work=St. Paul Pioneer Press |access-date=February 27, 2019}}

The first home game at the stadium was held on April 13, 2019, against New York City FC, which was attended by a sellout crowd of 19,796.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mprnews.org/story/2019/04/13/minnesota-united-allianz-field-debut|title='It's just beautiful': Minnesota United battles to tie in Allianz Field debut|author=MPR News Staff|date=April 13, 2019|publisher=Minnesota Public Radio|access-date=April 15, 2019}} The match ended in a 3–3 draw, with the first goal scored by Osvaldo Alonso in the 13th minute.{{cite news |last=Zgoda |first=Jerry |date=April 13, 2019 |title=Minnesota United settles for 3-3 draw with New York City FC in first game at Allianz Field |url=http://www.startribune.com/minnesota-united-settles-for-3-3-draw-with-new-york-city-fc-in-first-game-at-allianz-field/508548402/ |work=Star-Tribune |access-date=April 13, 2019}} A winter storm arrived in the Twin Cities the day before the match, requiring grounds crews to scrape away snow and ice from the stadium's seats and parts of the pitch.{{cite news |date=April 12, 2019 |title=Grounds crew de-icing Allianz Field for Minnesota United home opener |url=http://www.fox9.com/sports/grounds-crew-de-icing-allianz-field-for-minnesota-united-home-opener |publisher=FOX 9 |access-date=April 13, 2019}}

The United States men's national soccer team's opening game of the 2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup was held at Allianz Field on June 18, 2019.{{cite news |url=https://www.mnufc.com/post/2018/10/08/gold-cup-2019 |title=Gold Cup 2019 |date=October 8, 2018 |work=Minnesota United Website |access-date=February 14, 2019 |archive-date=March 27, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190327223108/https://www.mnufc.com/post/2018/10/08/gold-cup-2019 |url-status=dead }}

On February 2, 2022 the United States men's team hosted Honduras at the stadium in a World Cup qualifier, winning 3–0. Two Hondurans were substituted due to hypothermia, and their coach Hernán Darío Gómez attacked the choice of venue as unsuitable. US coach Gregg Berhalter said that the venue was chosen to be close to the previous game away in Canada, and that he did not complain when his team played in high humidity in Central America. The temperature at the starting whistle was {{convert|5|F|C}}, making it the coldest match in the US team's history.{{cite news |last1=Boehm |first1=Charles |title=Citing gamesmanship, Gregg Berhalter defends frigid USMNT vs. Honduras conditions |url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/citing-gamesmanship-gregg-berhalter-defends-frigid-usmnt-vs-honduras-conditions |access-date=February 4, 2022 |publisher=Major League Soccer |date=February 3, 2022}}

The 2022 MLS All-Star Game was hosted at Allianz Field August 10.{{Cite web |title=MLS All-Stars vs. Liga MX All-Stars - Football Match Report - August 10, 2022 - ESPN |url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/report/_/gameId/623639 |access-date=2022-08-14 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}} The MLS All-Stars competed against the Liga MX All-Stars winning the contest 2-1. It was the second straight MLS victory over Liga MX. Minnesota United's own Dayne St. Clair earned MVP on the night by making four saves in front of his home fans.

The first college football game at Allianz Field was a rivalry game between St. Thomas and St. John's; it took place on October 19, 2019.{{cite news |last=Rand |first=Michael |date=December 4, 2018 |title=St. Thomas, St. John's to play at Allianz Field in October |url=http://www.startribune.com/st-thomas-st-john-s-to-play-at-allianz-field-in-october/501943381/ |work=Star Tribune |access-date=September 1, 2019}} St. John's won the game 38-20 in front of a crowd of 19,508.{{Cite web|url=http://www.startribune.com/st-john-s-uses-its-swagger-to-rally-past-st-thomas-38-20-at-allianz-field/563461992/|title=St. John's uses its 'swagger' to rally past St. Thomas 38-20 at Allianz Field|website=Star Tribune|access-date=2019-10-20}}

Following the St. Thomas–St. John's college football game, field crews switched the field back to soccer to prepare for Minnesota United's first MLS Cup Playoffs match, played the following day against the LA Galaxy.{{Cite news |url=http://www.startribune.com/allianz-field-survives-rapid-transition-from-football-to-futbol-for-minnesota-united-playoff-game/563521022/|title=Allianz Field survives rapid transition from football to futbol for Minnesota United playoff game|work=Star Tribune|access-date=October 26, 2019}} Minnesota lost 2–1 and were subsequently knocked out of the playoffs.{{Cite web|url=http://www.startribune.com/minnesota-united-bows-out-of-mls-playoffs-with-2-1-loss-to-l-a-galaxy/563520652/|title=Minnesota United bows out of MLS playoffs with 2-1 loss to L.A. Galaxy|work=Star Tribune|access-date=October 26, 2019}}

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{{Major League Soccer stadiums}}

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Category:Minnesota United FC

Category:Major League Soccer stadiums

Category:MLS Next Pro stadiums

Category:Soccer venues in Minnesota

Category:Sports venues in Saint Paul, Minnesota

Category:Sports venues completed in 2019

Category:2019 establishments in Minnesota

Category:Allianz