Sir Paul McCartney, 83, will perform live in the Twin Cities for the ninth time when he headlines U.S. Bank Stadium Friday night.
The big question, will it also be his final time?
The answer is … probably?
If you’re planning to see the Cute Beatle on Friday, or if you’re still on the fence about buying tickets, here’s what you need to know.
McCartney’s touring history
The Beatles famously played Minnesota just once, on Aug. 21, 1965, when they headlined the old Metropolitan Stadium in Bloomington. The following year, they ceased touring for a number of reasons, including the fact their studio recordings had become too difficult to replicate on stage.
During the first decade of his solo career in the ’70s, McCartney hit the road for several tours with his band Wings, and stopped by the late St. Paul Civic Center on June 4, 1976.
But Wings came crashing to a halt in January 1980, when McCartney was arrested for possession of marijuana after entering Japan for a tour. He spent nine days in jail and was then deported. Wings didn’t play another show and broke up the following year.
The drug bust, coupled with fellow Beatle John Lennon’s assassination at the end of 1980, soured McCartney on the notion of touring. He finally hit the road again for outings in 1989, 1990 and 1993.
After another extended break, McCartney resumed touring yet again in 2002 and, save for a few years here and there, he hasn’t stopped, typically playing between 30 and 50 gigs a year.
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McCartney has maintained that retirement is not in his plans. It’s entirely possible he never will. B.B. King played his last show in 2014, but had plans to play more shows before he died in 2015 at the age of 89. Tony Bennett was 95 when he retired from the road. And 92-year-old Willie Nelson performed until nearly 1 a.m. when he headlined Farm Aid last month at Huntington Bank Stadium.
In addition to his Beatles and Wings shows, McCartney has returned for local solo gigs in 1993 (Metrodome), 2002 and 2005 (both at Xcel Energy Center), 2014 (Target Field) and 2016 (two nights at Target Center).
But even if McCartney plays shows for another decade, the world is his playground and it won’t be a surprise if Minnesota doesn’t figure into his future plans.
Tickets
As has become custom in the era of surge pricing for tickets, plenty of fans have already paid hundreds, if not thousands, for decent seats. But with a capacity of up to 50,000, U.S. Bank Stadium has plenty of tickets to sell and there are deals for those just looking to get in the door.
As of Tuesday afternoon, Ticketmaster had seats available for around $100 before taxes. But scalper sites StubHub, SeatGeek, Tick Pick and Vivid Seats all had similar tickets going for just $19 a pop. Bear in mind that these are the worst seats in a house known for its sound issues, but that’s still a bargain to see a living legend.
Getting there
U.S. Bank Stadium does not manage any public parking areas, but there are 20,000 parking spaces between the venue and Hennepin Avenue. Expect to pay at least $50, or more, to park. Keep in mind, traffic is congested in and around USBS on concert nights and the nearby Armory has electronic dance music star Crankdat booked Friday night, further adding to the crush.
The stadium is served by both Uber and Lyft, with surge pricing all but guaranteed.
There are more than 180 free bike racks located near the Legacy, Pentair, Ecolab and Ticketmaster gates for those who cycle in.
Metro Transit provides the easiest, and cheapest, way to get to the show. USBS is serviced directly by the Blue and Green light rail lines as well as numerous buses. A mere $4 is good for a round trip. See metrotransit.org or call 612-373-3333 for further details.
Getting inside
As should be expected for any large venue, USBS has a long list of prohibited items, most obvious (fireworks, outside food and beverage, weapons, laptops), some not so much (selfie sticks, strollers, banners).
Concertgoers can bring a still-photography camera with a non-detachable lens that is 6 inches or less in length and hand-carried jackets or blankets, which will be searched upon entry.
Bags must be clear plastic, vinyl or PVC and should not exceed 12” x 6 x 12”.
One thing to know if you plan to get something to eat or drink, USBS is a cashless venue. That means only a credit or debit card or a contactless option like Apple Pay or Google Pay will be accepted.
What to expect from Paul
Hot City Horns from left, Kenji Fenton, Mike Davis and Paul Burton play with Paul McCartney during a concert at Coors Field in Denver on Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post)
Reviews for McCartney’s current tour, which began in 2022, have been mostly warm, with some critics noting his voice isn’t what it once was.
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There is no opening act. McCartney has taken the stage between 8:15 and 8:45 p.m. at recent tour stops.
McCartney’s band is stocked with long-timers, including keyboardist/musical director Paul “Wix” Wickens (he joined in 1989), bassist Brian Ray (2002) and guitarist Rusty Anderson and powerhouse drummer Abe Laboriel Jr. (both 2001). A three-piece horn section will join the band.
McCartney typically plays three dozen songs over two hours and 40 minutes. Expect to hear around 20 songs from the Beatles, including their final single “Now and Then,” which McCartney and Ringo Starr produced using tracks recorded by Lennon in 1977 and George Harrison in 1995.
And if you go, enjoy it. It may very well be your last chance to do so.
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