Minnesota Twins and United HealthCare host autism awareness day

Continuing their longstanding and collaborative efforts to enhance inclusivity, the Minnesota Twins and UnitedHealthcare today announced plans for the first-ever Autism Awareness Day event at Target Field on Wednesday, May 28. This free event is specifically designed to support children with autism by providing kids, families and schools with a ballpark “test run” during a road game, as the Twins play at Tampa Bay.

By empowering families and schools to become familiar with Target Field and the fan experience in a more comfortable setting – without the additional stressors associated with a typical home game crowd – parents, schools and their children with special needs can build the familiarity and confidence needed to enjoy a large sporting event, such as a Twins home game.

During the Autism Awareness Day presented by UnitedHealthcare, children, along with their families and/or teachers, will become acquainted with and can practice game day procedures at Target Field, including scanning tickets and going through the Evolv Express® security screening, locating section and seat numbers, and ordering concessions, if desired (food and beverage will be provided free-of-charge). Participants will also be given a guided ballpark tour, before gathering in section 103 to watch the Twins at Rays game, broadcast on Target Field’s main videoboard.

“We believe that Twins baseball is for everyone, and that means cultivating ways for all our fans to thrive when they come to Target Field,” said Nancy O’Brien, Twins Senior Vice President, Community Engagement. “The sights and sounds of a sporting event can create a stressful environment for anyone with sensory sensitivity. By removing some of those external factors – and showcasing Target Field’s state-of-the-art UnitedHealthcare Sensory Suite – we hope to demonstrate to families and schools that our ballpark is compatible and welcoming, that Target Field can be successfully navigated and that a Twins home game can be a joyful, exciting experience for everyone.”

Added Brett Edelson, CEO, UnitedHealthcare of MN, ND and SD: “The Minnesota Twins continue to be a community leader in supporting children with autism and we are honored to join them in this important work.

Additionally, Special Olympics Minnesota will provide a warm welcome to Autism Awareness Day attendees with complimentary swag. UnitedHealthcare is a proud partner of the Minnesota Special Olympics and is a sponsor of the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games, to be held June 20-26, 2026 in the Twin Cities.