Main Event, the family entertainment giant owned by Dave & Buster's Entertainment, Inc., is set to open its first Minnesota location in Woodbury on Monday, August 3, 2026. Situated at the Tamarack Hills, the new center at 540 Bielenberg Drive marks a significant expansion for the brand, which operates over 60 locations across 23 states. The opening brings a mix of entertainment, dining, and employment opportunities to the community.
The Woodbury Main Event will feature a variety of attractions including laser tag, bowling, arcade games, and a full-service restaurant and bar. Guests can enjoy menu items such as the Buffalo Ranch Chicken Sandwich, Overloaded Cheese Pizza, and Funnel Cake Fries, along with beverages like the Cotton Candy Shirley Temple and Margarita Flight. “We are incredibly excited to debut the Main Event experience in Minnesota,” said Michael Frisby, General Manager of the Woodbury Main Event. “Establishing our first footprint in the state here in Woodbury is a huge milestone for us. We're building a vibrant, high-energy team that is ready to provide exceptional service and create unforgettable memories for this community.”
For business leaders, this expansion signals continued growth in the experiential entertainment sector, which combines dining, gaming, and social interaction. Main Event's parent company, Dave & Buster's, operates 182 stores in 43 states, Puerto Rico, and Canada, and the addition of a new market like Minnesota could indicate a broader strategy to capture market share in the Midwest. The new location is expected to attract families and groups seeking shared experiences, potentially boosting local tourism and foot traffic in the Tamarack Hills area.
Employment opportunities are a key aspect of the opening. Main Event is currently hiring for front and back-of-house positions, including servers, bartenders, hosts, line cooks, and games and bowling attendants. The company offers benefits such as free games, 50% off food and activities, flexible schedules, tuition reimbursement, and paid parental leave. Interested candidates can apply online at Main Event Careers.
The expansion of Main Event into Minnesota reflects a broader trend in the entertainment industry where companies are investing in physical locations that offer immersive experiences. For local businesses, the new center could increase competition in the dining and entertainment sectors, but it may also drive more visitors to the area, benefiting nearby retailers and service providers. Industry observers will watch how Dave & Buster's leverages its dual-brand strategy—with Dave & Buster's targeting adults and Main Event focusing on families—to capture different demographics.
Main Event was founded in 1998 and is headquartered in Coppell, Texas. Its offerings include state-of-the-art bowling, laser tag, hundreds of games, virtual reality, and an in-center restaurant called Family Kitchen. For more information about the brand, visit Main Event. The Woodbury location is poised to become a new hub for family entertainment in Minnesota, reflecting the company's commitment to creating shared experiences that connect friends and families.
