Minnesota RollerGirls

I can’t help but compare the Minnesota RollerGirls to my Brew City Bruisers team but they were great, too! It’s a talented group, which makes for really exciting bouts. The arena was cool, I liked the lights. It was difficult to hear the announcers and it would have been nice if they would say the players’ names more throughout (or maybe they were and I just couldn’t hear!). I would have liked to know who was who — especially when scoring, oh, 30 points in one jam! I thought the halftime show was way too long — I just want to see the bouts. A big crowd advanced on the main floor though, so I know a lot of people enjoyed it. I thought the Hug and High Five Cam was a really fun idea! Overall, this is a great time and worthwhile sport to support.

I was at a semi-​final today and saw various teams play.
I was so excited about tonight but I left hoping for more action. I really thought this would be the highlight of my trip but it just wasn’t. We left about 15 – 20 mins early to avoid the crowds.
From what I gathered from locals they have modified rules over the years and now it’s not as fun to watch as it once was.
The half time «show» was horrible. The sound system made the band sound awful. My ears are still bleeding. They were off key and were wearing neon. They were called «The Queefs» or something like that. Slowest 20+ minutes of my life.
Pros: It’s kid friendly, there are some mid life crisis people who made for good people watching, cute videos at the beginning, roller derby is cool.
Seating:
Don’t bother buying reserved seating tickets ahead of time… I saw various suckers walk in with their printed tickets from home only to discover they were taken.
General admission at the balcony has the best view.
You don’t have to get there an hour early to get seats unless you’re with a big group or something. 10 mins early is fine.
Trackside is seating on the floor with some chairs too.
Prices:
Paid $ 30 for 2 tickets, $ 15 for a pop/​fries/​nachos, and had we not parked far out and walked it would have been another $ 15 for parking. I think it’s overpriced to be honest.

I’m adding my «me too» review for the MNRG. We’ve been attending bouts since 2008. It’s a great family event. Lots of action on the track. As a spectator it’s easy to figure out the basics of derby, but there’s also a lot of strategy and teamwork involved that reward repeat visits and further study. Ticket prices are reasonable, which allows room to enjoy a Surly tallboy or two. The skaters are extremely welcoming, particularly to my special needs son (who loves to root for his team «GO BOMBSHELLS»).
Roller derby is perhaps the highest, best and only proper use for The Roy. Highly recommended.

I really, really, really love this group of ladies. I’ve been following them for a couple of seasons, and they are just as great off the track as they are on the track for a bunch of reasons–
1. They donate a lot of their proceeds to supporting girls in sports. I’m proud to support an organization that does community outreach. Not to mention their other charities they spotlight, like knitting hats for cancer patients, donating toys, etc.
2. They are incredibly approachable. When I first heard about them for the movie premeire of Whip It, they loaded me up on free goodies and took pictures with my friend and I.
3. They work (out) hard. I have to appreciate the amount of time they spend dedicated to staying in shape for when they go out on the track. But let me be clear about something — the Minnesota Rollergirls have women of all sizes on their teams, and for that, they’re my heroes.
4. They get results on the scoreboard.
5. Their tickets are affordable.

Engaging, exciting, good value, lots of smiles!
Great for groups, families, or a date night!
Fun half time show, prizes between rounds, fun announcers, great music, extremely upbeat… SURLY beer!
Its better to buy your tickets ahead of time at one of the outside vendors because they often sell out. Also all general admission is seat yourself, first come first served, so people that want the «best» seats will get there over an hour before the doors open to wait in line. But, you can see from pretty much anywhere in the upper level so you don’t have to do that if you already have a ticket.
It helps to go with a group or at least one other person, because if you want to keep coming back to your same seats… someone might want to stay behind to «hold» them in general admission, but for $ 11 no complaints here!
Loved it, if you don’t hate fun… then you need to GO to Minnesota RollerGirls!

What is there to say? If you’re looking for a great time and enjoy a little sports action, the Derby is for you. Come early to watch the pre-​show, and stay for the bout while enjoying some beer and food. The players are always happy to sign autographs and talk to fans. They have tons of fun swag you can buy to support the league, or get painted-​on black eye for a buck! Definitely check them out if you haven’t. And if you need more derby action, check out the Minneapolis sister league, the Northstar Roller Girls!

What a fun night! These gals kicked butt on the track.
I like that it’s entertainment catering to a girls night out, families with their kids and everything in between. The event staff was friendly too.
It was nice to see the kids able to interact with the RollerGirls at halftime and props for their suport of community programs. And you’re cool in my book if you serve Surley beer!
At $ 11 for an advanced purchase general admission ticket, it’s entertainment that gives you alot of bang for your buck!

There’s no doubt the MN Roller Girls are a five star group, even if I have a few minor quibbles with my night out. I really think pretty much everyone in Minnesota should at tend at least once. They do a good job of explaining the rules so first timers know what is going on.
*Five stars for being a first class organization, good for families, supportive of lots of cool community stuff (like the Anne Bancroft Foundation and Project for Pride in Living)
*Five stars for showcasing quality woman athletes of all sizes.
*Five stars for the live band dance party during halftime.
*Five stars for $ 11 tickets plus kids 9 and under are FREE.
*Five stars for beer. (Ok, I’m not a big beer drinker, but I fully support beer sales at any event. I just do. The rest of the concessions were just a bit above average in the pricey but tasty popcorn style) (I brought in my own water and snacks, they were checking bags but not closely.)
But. BUT. And I wouldn’t dare take away a star, but I’m old. And my kids are young. Could you turn down the volume just a tad so I can have a conversation that doesn’t involve yelling?. And maybe start the main bout just a half hour earlier? I don’t mean to nit pick, and I didn’t for one second think about taking away a star.

I’ve been wanting to check this out for a long time and boy I’m kicking myself I didn’t go sooner.
This was a great time! The crowd here was super diverse, lots of families, all age groups, everything! The black eyes were hilarious! I have never wanted to pay for a black eye more in my life, ever! Even my date wanted a black eye, I know if I take my daughter she’s going to want one!!! Live music at halftime and after the derby.
I will take my daughter to this in all seriousness. I think its a very good roll model experience for girls and just a good old fashion fun time for everyone. Oh, and they serve beer!
Loved it!
KT

MN RollerGirls, I heart you! I have to admit that I have been slacking this year as I’ve only been to one event this season due to scheduling conflicts with an organization that I belong to so please don’t hate me.
I was introduced to you and the fabulous sport of Roller Derby by Rachel C and Jessi S and I’m so glad they did. The games are exciting and fun with a great halftime show in between games. I even blend right in with all of my crazy yelling as all of your other spectators are doing the same thing. Best of all, I don’t have to break the bank for a night of great entertainment, $ 11 or $ 13 for tickets from local merchants. I would suggest that since most seating is general admission that if you’re going to go that you get there when the doors open at 6:30pm.
I am most impressed though with how active the MN RollerGirls are in the community. I have lived on Grand Avenue in St Paul for 2 years now and I have seen them in the Grand Old Day parade both times. After the parade, you can usually find them on Grand interacting with their fans young and old alike. Not only are they involved in the parade, they offer clinics for young girls interested in Roller Derby, help out with a charity designed to get girls more involved in athletics, and let children under 9 into their matches for free.
MN RollerGirls are definitely my idea of great time.

While searching for a fun adventure on a cold Minnesota night, I stumbled across an event listing for the Minnesota RollerGirls. It was the night of their championship bout and man, did I have a blast. Tickets were über affordable at only $ 13 for a balcony seat with a great view of the rink. I was surprised at how many people were there and the energy was contagious. As a solo adventurer that evening, I scoped out the seats and found one in what appeared to be a rowdy section. That it was and I enjoyed being in the mix of loud, enthusiastic fans.
The RollerGirls were great, I loved that there was a «rookie» on one of the teams that just turned 50. I liked all the action, the bouts are fast paced, and its an exciting spectator sport. The RollerGirls have lots of personality and I appreciate that the team is athlete owned and they are active in the community. The nerdy, green-​loving bit of me also liked that the venue uses wind energy credits and they have readily available receptacles to recycle or compost all the concession items except for the chip bags. Pretty neat!

The RollerGirls make for an entertaining and affordable night! (Well unless you want lots of drinks.) If you have no idea how it works– don’t worry. They do a slow-​mo demo before the first bout to explain how scoring works. Get there on time for your first derby.
During the intermission there is live music and everyone is invited onto the track to dance. It is often polka music and highly entertaining! The ages of fans range from 2 – 90.
Be sure to «shop around» if you want some adult beverages. The prices vary by stand and type. Surly & Bud were $ 5.50 at one stand, and Leinenkugel was $ 6.50 at another stand.

Skip the Wild and do something crazy. It doesn’t get more local and more fun than this. And just so you don’t feel like you’re missing anything, they sell Surly cans at the bout. Break the mold!

Bad ass rocking good time.
The bands are always hilarious to watch at half time, the bouts are high energy and keep you on the edge of your seat, the venue is great and there isn’t a bad view (food and beverages a bit pricey though), and there’s always something fun happening (whether it be a dance off in the middle of the bout or hardcore wheel chair dodgeball).
Definitely a great time for all ages.

These girls are kicking ass and taking names – literally!
My first bout was the one where Savage Animal broke her leg. I was sad to see her go, but really impressed by all of the skaters taking a knee while she was attended to. I was also very happy to see her announcing alongside John Maddening the next season while she recovered.
The refs have great names (Spike, Mani-​Ax, E-​Radicator…) and take their jobs seriously. The rollergirls are sexy but won’t hesitate to hip check their opponents and send them sprawling into the trackside seats. The announcers are hilarious even if the acoustics are terrible. And polka… ohh, the polka… and the PBR.
Long story short, if you’ve never been to a bout, what the hell are you waiting for?!

My first MN RollerGirls bout was last December, when I took some friends for my birthday. I was hooked from that point on — the action was amazing, the crowd diverse, the pre-​game and half time entertainment spectacular. I caught three more bouts that season, including the championship, and was more impressed each time with the athleticism of the girls, the authenticity of the sport, and the community involvement as displayed by their sponsor and charity tables in the lobby (I won a free pizza from the Pizza Luce wheel at the first bout, and MNRG supports a great charity called Foundation IX that provides funding to help girls afford to play sports).
Fascinated with the sport and the league, I joined their recreational league, the Debu-​Taunts, over the summer. Beyond being great athletes, the girls and Wet Spot are talented and encouraging coaches. This was also evident when the Twin Cities Junior Roller Derby league played for the pre-​bout entertainment at this weekend’s game. The kids were so enthusiastic and adorable.
The first bout of season 7 this past weekend was better than ever, now that I have a better understanding of the game. The MNRG skaters are better than ever too, and you could see them implementing some of the strategies their All-​Stars put to use to shake-​up the regional tournament and earn them a spot at nationals.
If you haven’t been to a MN RollerGirls bout yet, you absolutely have to get tickets and get out there!

It was like I died and went to RollerGirl heaven! Tried to get their early to catch all the activities, but the Minnesota Wild fans were seriously inhibiting my fun time… I missed the juniors, so hopefully they play again soon.
My advice is to go obscenely early in order to park, peruse the merch, and visit the derby museum. Plus Pizza Luce is so kind as to have a table that gives away prizes. Guitar pick that says «Free pint» on it?, Why yes please!
Mental note* In the future check the schedule for other events!

Seriously kick ass. Went to my first bout last night and it was awesome. I now want to be a Minnesota RollerGirl.
The crowd is incredibly mixed as other reviewers have pointed out. Families, hipsters, frat types, etc. And yet somehow it doesn’t feel awkward.
There’s a band during intermission and you can go onto the main floor and dance. Plus there’s beer.

I fell in love with the Minnesota RollerGirls within the first 30 seconds of the first bout I went to last year. It took that long to realize that as much fun as derby was to watch, I really wanted to be a RollerGirl.
This is a great organization committed to giving people a great experience and give back to our community in the process. You really can’t ask for much more than that… except for your favorite skater to fall into your lap while sitting track side :).

The MN Rollergirls are bad ass. I have been to many of their bouts and have introduced many friends to Rollergirls. In fact, I had my last birthday party there. My favorite team is the Garda Belts. Every time they enter the auditorium they have bagpipes and a leprechaun. Oh, so festive!
If you are not familiar with Rollergirls, please arrive early because they explain the game and demonstrate in slow motion the basics of roller derby before the bouts start.
At intermission they have a band. So, you can go and dance on the track if you feel so moved. Otherwise, use the time at intermission to fill your beer. The Rollergirls typically play at the Roy Wilkins Auditorium which is in the same building as the Xcel in downtown St. Paul.
Although I am not a huge fan of St. Paul, last night we took a bus and it was so convenient. This way we didn’t need to pay for parking and we could drink to our hearts content.
Rollergirls is friendly for families AND bachelorette/​bachlor parities. I can’t explain it, but is it true.