Visit Saint Paul invites you to celebrate college hockey at the NCHC Frozen Faceoff Fan Fest. Enjoy ice-cold beverages, tasty food, interactive hockey games and music outdoors near Herbie's on the Park restaurant adjacent to Xcel Energy Center.

On Saturday afternoon the Minnesota Wild's 1 p.m. CT game vs Chicago will be broadcast on the big screen at Fan Fest.

Friday, March 18 - 3 - 7 p.m.
Saturday, March 19 - 3 - 7 p.m.

NCHC Frozen Faceoff Fan Fest is free and open to the public.

Visit Saint Paul wants YOU to Pick Your Frozen Faceoff!

The contest involves fans predicting the four NCHC teams that they believe will make it to the 2022 NCHC Frozen Faceoff on March 18-19. Next, fans select the two teams predicted to make the Championship game and the 2022 NCHC Frozen Faceoff champion. The final question requires fans to guess how many total goals will be scored during all games of the 2022 NCHC Frozen Faceoff.

One lucky fan who predicts everything correctly for the 2022 championship will win two all-session tickets to the 2023 NCHC Frozen Faceoff at Xcel Energy Center on March 17-18, as well as a two-night stay at The Saint Paul Hotel on March 17-18. In addition, the “Pick Your Frozen Faceoff” Contest hosted by Visit Saint Paul winner will receive a $100 gift certificate to Herbie’s on the Park adjacent to Xcel Energy Center.

For complete rules of the “Pick Your Frozen Faceoff” Contest hosted by Visit Saint Paul or to enter the contest by mail, click here. Contest ends on March 10 at 11:59 p.m. The winner of this year’s contest will be announced on Monday, March 21.

NCHC welcomes fans to watch their team make final preparations for the tournament by attending select open practice times.

Thursday, March 17

Practices will be held from 10:15 a.m. - 3 p.m.

10:15 a.m. - 11:15 a.m. Minnesota Duluth

11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Denver

12:45 p.m. - 1:45 p.m. North Dakota

2 p.m. - 3 p.m. Western Michigan

Gate 1 of Xcel Energy Center opens at 10 a.m. The venue will close at 3:15 p.m. All other practices are closed to the public.

NCHC Fan Skate puts you on the official ice of the Frozen Faceoff and the Minnesota Wild! Free and open to the public.

Thursday, March 17
7:00 - 8:30 p.m.
Gate 1 opens at 6:30 p.m.

Bring your skates! Rental skates are not available at the venue. Sticks, pucks, etc. are not allowed on the ice during open skate. All skaters are required to sign a waiver.

Tom Reid’s Hockey City Pub is the Official Post-Game Party Location for all NCHC Frozen Faceoff fans. Tom Reid's Hockey City Pub is a family restaurant and sports pub located two blocks from Xcel Energy Center in Saint Paul. Owned by a former NHL defenseman, fans can enjoy food and drink specials at this signature hockey themed establishment during the tournament.

Discounted hotel rooms are available for fans attending the 2022 NCHC Frozen Faceoff at select hotels in downtown Saint Paul through Visit Saint Paul. This special link to the discounted room rates for Frozen Faceoff fans has been set up to book your hotel.

Face coverings are currently not required to attend this event. Guests who prefer to wear a mask are encouraged to continue to do so.

By purchasing tickets to events at Xcel Energy Center, unless prohibited by law, you agree to abide by the health and safety measures in effect at the time of the event, which may include, but not be limited to, wearing masks, providing proof of vaccination status.

NO BAGS are permitted inside the arena to help reduce staff touchpoints and expedite entry times for guests. This includes clutches, clear bags, purses, backpacks, fanny packs, etc. Medical and diaper bags are permitted at Gate 1 and are subject to x-ray screening. Small wallet in pocket or on lanyard permitted.

Flynt & Kyndle is our newly renovated club level restaurant where an inviting atmosphere meets social-inspired food and crafted cocktails. This seated VIP dining experience features salads, rotisserie meats, shareable sides and delicious desserts delivered table side. View menus. Open 5:30 - 8 p.m. on Friday and 6 - 8:30 p.m on Saturday. Make a reservation.

The Reserve, our upscale lounge on the Bremer Bank Suite Level boasts an eclectic, chef-driven menu and an array of cocktail options. View menu. This lounge is open to all guests with suite level tickets or reservations. Open 5:30 - 8 p.m. on Friday and 6 - 8:30 p.m on Saturday. Make a reservation.

Pro tip for faster mobile entry: Log on to your Ticketmaster account and add the mobile tickets to your Apple Wallet/Google Wallet app. This bypasses the need for Wi-Fi or cellular data at the gates.

Mobile tickets are like an airline boarding pass which can be accessed with a smartphone via the Ticketmaster app or mobile site in a bar code format and scanned at the gate for entry. Mobile tickets are protected by Ticketmaster’s SafeTix™ technology. SafeTix™ continually generates a new and unique barcode that automatically refreshes every few seconds so the barcode cannot be stolen or copied, keeping your tickets safe and secure. Screen shots are not accepted for entry.

Click here for more details on mobile tickets.

Xcel Energy Center now has convenient and contactless in-arena mobile ordering for concessions using the NHL Mobile App, or visit the Guest Services desks in the arena for information about our menu offerings.

Credit card and mobile payment (Apple Pay, Google Pay) are accepted for concessions.

Concession availability may vary based on event.

Only credit card and mobile payment (Apple Pay, Google Pay, etc.) are accepted for concessions, retail and parking transactions. Only credit card payment is accepted for box office transactions. Cash is not accepted.