During a statewide board session on August 4, 2026, the Minnesota State High School League’s Board of Directors outlined a series of adjustments that will shape the upcoming 2026‑27 athletic and activity calendar. The agenda covered venue relocations, tournament date realignments, financial relief measures, and the integration of emerging disciplines such as Esports and Girls Flag Football.
Cross Country Moves to Ham Lake
The Girls and Boys Cross Country State Meets will now be staged at Majestic Oaks Golf Course in Ham Lake, swapping the former Les Bolstad University of Minnesota Golf Course site, which is slated for sale. The change reflects the Board’s effort to secure a sustainable venue while preserving competitive integrity.
Basketball tournaments receive a calendar shift to avoid clashes with NCAA events. The 2027 Girls Basketball State Tournament is set for March 24‑27, and the Boys Tournament for March 31‑April 3, both slated for Williams Arena on the University of Minnesota campus. This timing ensures greater visibility and reduces scheduling conflicts.
Financial Relief and Ticket Adjustments
Member schools will benefit from a $620,000 dues credit, translating to a $30 reduction per activity and a $1.25 cut per student. Ticket pricing for the 2026‑27 State Tournament events has been raised to $15 for adults and $10 for students, a modest increase aimed at sustaining tournament operations.
Leadership, Membership, and Recognition
Dr. Jennifer Jacobs was appointed Associate Director, bringing fresh expertise to the Board’s leadership team. Additionally, Immaculate Heart of Mary Academy and St. Augustine School earned approval as new Member Schools. The Board also honored six retired members — Renee Corneille, LeRoy Fairbanks, Jed Helwig, Brent Schimek, Brad Skogerboe, and Jake Timm — for their longstanding contributions.
Policy updates accompany the competitive changes. The 2026‑27 Speech season will feature a prose piece by Dan Gemeinhart, poetry by Kwame Alexander, and storytelling drawn from Project Gutenberg. New rulebooks for Dance Team, Softball tie‑breaking, and Wrestling contest limits were also adopted, alongside a refreshed Classification and Competitive Section Placement deadline of September 11, 2026.
Emerging activities continue to gain traction. The Girls Flag Football Advisory Committee is conducting a member survey to finalize a sanctioning model, while the Esports program enters its shadow year, partnering with Fenworks to deliver after‑school curricula and competitive leagues ahead of a full tournament slated for 2027‑28.