MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL – The Minnesota Lynx will return to Rochester this spring, marking their first trip back to Southern Minnesota since 2003. The Lynx are scheduled to take on the Washington Mystics in a WNBA preseason game at Mayo Civic Center on Sunday, May 8 at 4 p.m.

“The Lynx are thrilled to be returning to Rochester this spring, especially with the great people at Mayo Clinic,” said Timberwolves and Lynx Team President Chris Wright. “With the Lynx coming off the 2015 WNBA Championship, it’s a great opportunity to give our fans in Southern Minnesota a chance see our phenomenal product as well as showcase our great partnership with Mayo Clinic. We are looking forward to a large and enthusiastic crowd for this year’s game.”

Minnesota’s game in Rochester is its third trip to the Mayo Civic Center and first since announcing a multi-year marquee partnership with Mayo Clinic prior to the 2014 season. The Lynx last played in Rochester when they hosted the Washington Mystics on May 9, 2003. The Lynx also hosted the Portland Fire on May 26, 2000 at Mayo Civic Center.

“We are excited to collaborate with community partners and the Minnesota Lynx to bring the Lynx to Rochester,” said Dr. John T. Wald, medical director of public affairs and marketing at Mayo Clinic. “We share the goal of creating, building and sustaining relationships that benefit the community as a whole.”

Tickets for the May 8 game in Rochester are now on sale through the Mayo Civic Center Box Office and on Lynxbasketball.com. Tickets start as low as $10 and can be purchased by visiting the Mayo Civic Center Box Office or lynxbasketball.com. The Mayo Civic Center Box Office is located in the North Lobby at the main entrance of the Mayo Civic Center. The Mayo Civic Center Box Office cannot take phone orders. For more information, call 612-673-8400.

“It’s such an honor to host the 2015 WNBA Champions in Rochester,” said Donna Drews, Executive Director of Mayo Civic Center. “We are excited to give local fans the opportunity to see professional-level sports so close to home.”

The May 8 contest marks the Lynx’ lone home preseason game before the start of the 2016 campaign. Minnesota will play one additional 2016 preseason game on May 5 in New York at Levien Gymnasium on the campus of Columbia University. The game will tip-off at 6 p.m. CT.

The Lynx will kick of their 18^th season in the WNBA at home on Saturday, May 14 against the Phoenix Mercury at 6:30 p.m. on ESPN. A limited number of lower level full-season memberships are currently available by visiting http://event.wolveslynx.com/membership or by calling 612-673-8400.

2016 LYNX PRESEASON SCHEDULE

DATE       OPPONENT       LOCATION                                                                    TIPOFF
May 5       New York           Levien Gymnasium (Columbia University, NY)      6 p.m. CT
May 8       Washington       Mayo Civic Center (Rochester, MN)                         4 p.m. CT