Target Field shaded seats: Twins sun and shade guide
Find the best Target Field sections for shade based on your game date and first-pitch time. Compare all 149 mapped sections and watch the shade move inning by inning.
Check shade by section and game time
Choose your Twins game time, then select a section to compare first pitch, the current game clock, and average shade coverage.
Sun 57.9° above the horizon at 2:40 PM
Section-wide estimate. Back rows beneath a deck usually receive cover before front rows; clouds, support columns, and temporary structures are not included.
Where should you sit in the shade at Target Field?
For most afternoon Minnesota Twins games, look first at the first-base side, the area behind home plate, and rows farther back beneath an upper deck.
There is no single shaded section for every game. The sun is higher in June than September, and a 1:10 PM start can look very different from a 6:40 PM start.
How shade tends to differ around the ballpark
Within any Target Field section, the highest rows can be much more protected than rows closest to the field.
First-base side
A strong starting area for afternoon shade, especially toward home plate and in rows beneath the next deck.
Behind home plate
Decks and premium levels create useful cover, but front rows can still receive direct sun when it is high.
Third-base and left-field side
More exposed for portions of many afternoon games. Shade improves later as the sun moves west and drops lower.
Outfield seating
Open sightlines often mean more direct sun. Check the game clock carefully if sun exposure is your main concern.
A section-area forecast, calculated minute by minute
Set the real sun position
The date, local first pitch, stadium coordinates, and field orientation set the sun position every minute.
Sample front-to-back bands
Every section is divided into 24 depth bands so front and back rows are not treated the same.
Apply venue-specific cover
Each stadium configuration records its decks, roofs, open areas, bowl rim, and compass alignment.
Average the selected game
Minute-by-minute coverage becomes a game average, current estimate, peak shade, and majority-shade time.
Solar position uses the NREL Solar Position Algorithm. Section placement was independently redrawn against the official Minnesota Twins Target Field seating map captured on 2026-07-26; the source artwork is not embedded.. Results are section estimates; individual rows can differ.
Questions about shaded seats at Twins games
Which side of Target Field gets shade first?
For many afternoon games, the first-base side and seats closer to home plate gain shade before the more open outfield areas. Seats farther back beneath an upper deck are generally the safer choice.
What does average shade coverage mean?
ShadeSeats estimates the portion of a section shaded at every minute, then averages those section-coverage values across the selected game.
Are back rows more likely to be shaded?
Usually. Rows nearer the concourse or beneath the deck above typically receive structural cover before front rows.
Does the Target Field shade map include clouds?
No. The map estimates structural shade from the sun angle, seating-deck cover, and stadium bowl. Clouds and temporary structures are not included.