Kenny Chesney, Tim McGraw to give Target Field's first concert

Country music stars Kenny Chesney and Tim McGraw will perform at Target Field next summer in the ballpark's first concert.

The singers will bring their "Brothers in the Sun Tour" to Minneapolis on July 8. It's one of 18 stadium shows across the country.

Minnesota Twins President Dave St. Peter said in a news release that he expects it will be the first of many concerts at Target Field. He said the ballpark "can become the best outdoor music venue in the region."

The tour is the first time in 10 years that Chesney and McGraw have toured together. The tour also features Grace Potter & the Nocturnals and Jake Owen.

No date has yet been set for tickets to go on sale.

Twins spokesman Kevin Smith said the team will get a percentage of ticket sales, concessions revenue and merchandise revenue, but he said the details of the agreement are still being worked out. Ticket prices haven't been determined yet.

Smith said organizers hope to draw up to 41,000 fans to the concert. If they can do that, it wouldn't only be the musicians, concert promoters and the Twins who benefit, he said.

"If we can get 41,000 people here at Target Field, throughout that day on Sunday, July 8, that's going to be a great boon for downtown Minneapolis as well," Smith said.

The Twins' next home game after the concert is Friday, July 13, so Smith said there should be plenty of time to get the field ready. The concert will use much of the outfield, so the grounds crew might have to repair parts of the field in time for the next game, Smith said.

"What's nice about having the concert in July, though, is that's primetime growing season for our field. For us to get it back in shape won't be that difficult," he said.

Smith said the Twins hope by hosting a major concert they can get on outdoor concert promoters' radar and bring more big acts to Target Field.