
Target Field lost power a little more than an hour before the scheduled first pitch for the Twins’ home opener. David Berding / Getty Images
April 3, 2026Updated 4:22 pm EDT
MINNEAPOLIS — The Minnesota Twins’ 2026 home opener is delayed because of a power outage.
Roughly 79 minutes before the Twins were set to celebrate their 65th season in the Twin Cities, Target Field suffered a venue-wide power outage, shutting off stadium lights, cash registers, ticket scanners and the scoreboard alike. Power was officially restored at 2:48 p.m. CT.
The first pitch against the Tampa Bay Rays was originally scheduled for 3:10 p.m. CT, but the start time is now likely at 4:05 p.m. The team expected to start its pregame ceremonies at 2:30 p.m., but the start of those events was pushed back due to the power outage, which officially lasted 57 minutes.
Even though power had yet to be restored, those inside the building cheered as the grounds crew removed the tarp from the field at 2:35 p.m. Meanwhile, thousands of fans were stuck outside the building or in the neighboring skyways waiting for their tickets to be scanned.
The power outage occurred 51 minutes after the team opened its gates for the first time in 2026. Greeted by Hall of Famers Rod Carew and Tony Oliva and Twins legend Kent Hrbek, fans poured onto the concourse in search of $2 beers and hot dogs served during pregame. Though some fans waited up to 10 minutes in line for beers, most found quick service as a steady rain fell on the tarp-covered field.
Though lights in some buildings outside the ballpark were on, others throughout the neighborhood also were without power. An update on Xcel Energy’s website said approximately 1,500 customers were without power.
A team official said it would take up to 30 minutes to get the scoreboard working again after power was restored.
Apr 3, 2026
Connections: Sports Edition
Spot the pattern. Connect the terms
Find the hidden link between sports terms
Play today’s puzzle