Minnesota Varsity League (MNVL) Winter State Finals at St. Cloud State University!

Cheer on MN high schools as they compete to be the MNVL State Champion in eight games
Tournament Starts In:

Details

Date: Friday – Saturday, March 13-14, 2026
Check-in starts at 9:00 am on Friday and 8:00 am on Saturday.

Location: Atwood Memorial Union, St. Cloud State University, 651 1st Ave S, St. Cloud, MN 56301

Ticket Info:

Event is free for all winter season participants and coaches.

Join us for an electrifying experience at the MNVL State Finals! Secure your tickets now to cheer on your friends and family as they compete in thrilling matches. We have options for adults and students, offering single-day passes or full-event passes to witness every epic moment of the action-packed showdown! Purchase your tickets below and be part of the esports excitement!

Ticket Prices and Online Orders will be available soon.

Tournament Information

All award ceremonies will happen immediately following the championship match for that game title.

The schedule is subject to change. All times are in Central Time (CT).

The listed times are suggestions, as matches will start after the previous one is finished. Please arrive at your match location at least one hour before your scheduled match time.

THE SCHEDULE BELOW IS THE DRAFT VERSION FOR THE 2025 - 2026 TOURNAMENT. THE FINAL SCHEDULE WILL BE RELEASED ONCE WINTER SEASON IS FINISHED.
Link to Schedule

Brackets will be available once the season has finished. 

Thursday, February 22 | 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm | Memorial Union Social Stairs
This panel of collegiate esports experts will tell you how to succeed at the next level. Coach Ryan Kraus (UND) will be there in person, joined online by Alyssa Duran (Shenandoah University) and Mark Deppe (UC Irvine). These panelists will talk about the habits of successful athletes in their programs, common stumbling blocks to avoid, and how their players improve, among other topics. This is a Q and A panel in which you can ask your burning questions about the collegiate esports scene.

Below are all the changes to the rulesets for the tournament.
Anything not listed here will follow regular season rulesets. 
For the season rulesets, please click here. 

Chess

Tournament Type: Double Elimination Tournament

Teams: 16 players

Matches:

  • First to 2 points for all matches, including bracket reset, if needed.
  • Points will be awarded: loss 0 pt, draw 0.5 pt, win 1 pt.
  • If both players tie at 2 points, they will continue to play until a winner is decided.

Other Notes:

  • Unlike the season, teams will compete over a physical board (provided by Fenworks).
  • If a person touches a piece, they must move it.
  • All other rules, including time control, will be the same as the regular season: 10 minutes with a 3-second interval bonus time.
  • The high seed gets white first.

Fortnite 2v2s

Tournament Type: Pool Play/Group Stage into Single Elimination Tournament

Teams: 16 teams (4 groups of 4 teams); the top team of each group will advance to the tournament

Matches: 

  • Best of 1 (All 15 rounds will be played. The team with the most rounds won will win) for all pool play matches.
  • Best of 3 (Each game is first to 8 rounds) for all tournament matches.

Tiebreaker: If multiple teams tie in pool play.

  • 2 Team Tie – Head to head (Between the two tied teams, whoever beat the other team will advance).

  • 3 Team Tie – Round differential

    • Total points scored vs. points scored on team.

League of Legends

Tournament Type: Single Elimination Tournament

Teams: 8 teams

Matches: Best of 3 all matches.

Other Notes: High seed gets choice of side/color for game 1.

Mario Kart 8 2v2s

Tournament Type: Pool Play/Group Stage into Single Elimination Tournament

Teams: 16 teams (4 groups of 4 teams); the top team of each group will advance to the tournament

Other Rules: 

  • All games will be played split-screen using one monitor per team.
  • If you wish to use headphones, please bring your own that have an AUX port. Auxiliary splitters will be provided for each Nintendo Switch. Bluetooth will not be allowed.
  • High seed makes the lobby.

Matches:

  • Best of 3 (8 – 12 races) for all matches.

Tiebreaker: If multiple teams tie in pool play.

  • 2 Team Tie – Head to head (Between the two tied teams, whoever beat the other team will advance).
  • 3 Team Tie – Total score from all three matches, not including tiebreaker points.

Marvel Rivals

Tournament Type: Single Elimination Tournament

Teams: 8 Teams 

Matches: Best of 3 for all matches.

Other Notes: The high seed chooses whether they are Team A or Team B in the map ban process. 

Minecraft 4v4s

Tournament Type: Pool Play/Group Stage into Single Elimination Tournament

Teams: 8 teams (2 groups of 4 teams); the top two teams of each group will advance to the tournament

Matches:

  • Best of 1 for all pool play matches.
  • Best of 3 for all tournament matches.

Tiebreaker: If multiple teams tie in pool play.

  • 2 Team Tie – Head to head (Between the two tied teams, whoever beat the other team will advance).
  • 3 Team Tie – Teams will move to an Arena 1v1 duel following normal season rules.
    • One representative from each team will be chosen to participate in the Arena 1v1. The same student can be chosen for all duel matches, or a different student can be used for each duel match.
    • The bottom two seeded teams will duel first. Then, the winner of that match will duel the high seed. The winner of that match will advance to the tournament.  

Rocket League 3v3s

Tournament Type: Pool Play/Group Stage into Single Elimination Tournament

Teams: 16 teams (4 groups of 4 teams); the top team of each group will advance to the tournament

Matches:

  • Best of 3 for all pool play matches.
  • Best of 5 for all tournament matches.

Tiebreaker: If multiple teams tie in pool play.

  • 2 Team Tie – Head to head (Between the two tied teams, whoever beat the other team will advance).
  • 3 Team Tie – Game Differential, then total goal differential.
    • Game Differential
      • +2 points: 2-0
      • +1 points: 2-1
      • -1 points: 1-2
      • -2 points: 0-2
    • Goal Differential:
      • Total goals scored vs. goals scored on team.

Unified Rocket League 3v3s

Tournament Type: Pool Play/Group Stage into Single Elimination Tournament

Teams: 7 teams (1 group of 3 teams and 1 group of 4 teams); all teams will advance to the tournament

Matches:

  • Best of 3 for all pool play and tournament matches, except the 3rd-place and championship match.
  • Best of 5 for the 3rd place and the championship match.

Tiebreaker: If multiple teams tie in pool play.

  • 2 Team Tie – Head to head (Between the two tied teams, whoever beat the other team will advance).
  • 3 Team Tie – Game Differential, then total goal differential.
    • Game Differential
      • +2 points: 2-0
      • +1 points: 2-1
      • -1 points: 1-2
      • -2 points: 0-2
    • Goal Differential:
      • Total goals scored vs. goals scored on team.

SSBU 1v1s

Tournament Type: Double Elimination Tournament

Teams: 32 players

Matches: Best of 5 for all matches, including bracket reset if needed

Other Notes: The high seed will be the home team and follow the stage selection process. The low seed announces their character first for game 1. 

VALORANT

Tournament Type: Single Elimination Tournament

Teams: 8 teams

Matches: 

  • Best of 1 for all matches except the championship and 3rd place match.
  • Best of 3 for the championship and 3rd place match. 

Other Notes: High seed is home seed.

Map Selection: 

  • For all matches except the championship and 3rd place match, map selection will follow the season rules
  • For the championship and third place game, the home team (High Seed) chooses if they want to be Team A or Team B and they will follow the below process.
    • Team B bans 1 map
    • Team A bans 1 map
    • Team B selects Map 1
    • Team A selects attack/defense for Map 1
    • Team A selects Map 2
    • Team B selects attack/defense for Map 2
    • Team A bans
    • Team B selects Map 3
    • Team A selects attack/defense for Map 3
Can’t make it to the event? Check out our live stream. We will be streaming all the Main Stage games. 
 Click the links below to access the streams.

Setups:
The tournament venue will provide all PC setups, including a mouse, mousepad, keyboard, and headset.

What Should I Bring:
Peripherals: Mouse and Keyboard (headsets will be provided; personal headsets will not be allowed)
Controller: Players must bring their own controller(s), as Fenworks will not provide any controllers on-site. If a player brings a controller, ensure the controller's cord is also brought. Bluetooth connections are not permitted.

KNOW YOUR SETTINGS so that you can get prepared quickly before your match.
Students should be ready to set up all the equipment they bring promptly. They cannot download custom drivers/etc. All outside equipment will be inspected by Fenworks staff before use in tournament play.

Extraneous Circumstances: All teams should continue to play unless directed by Fenworks Admin, regardless of any extraneous circumstances. 

Please make sure you label all equipment with contact information!

**Super Smash Bros. Ultimate and Mario Kart Competitors**
All competitors MUST bring their own switch with a docking station, power cord, and desired controllers. If you are participating in Mario Kart, the Switch MUST have access to online play. One switch per team is needed. If you would like to use a headset, please also make sure to bring one with an AUX port.

No backup accounts will be available.
Students must have access to their own accounts or school accounts and use them during the competition.

Discord Login
Players attending the state tournament will be required to log in using their own Discord account if they want to use it for communication. Otherwise, players will use the in-game voice communication if they do not use Discord. Please make sure you have two-factor authentication ready.

Players must have their account information ready to log in at match time.
Fenworks recommends that all students test their logins before attending the tournament and bring their phone for any two-factor verification when logging in. For all titles, players should be prepared to alter any settings/key bindings they’ll need (in-game) if they are not carried over from their primary account. We recommend taking a picture of your settings page for future reference.

Chess will not be held online at the State Tournament. Physical boards will be used. Fenworks will provide all chessboards and clocks. 

Players will need their Epic Games Login Information. 

Players will need their Riot ID Login Information.

No login is needed; however, the students should know the controller scheme and be able to create it quickly.

Players will need their account login information from their platform. That might be Steam, Epic Games, Xbox, or PlayStation. Regardless of the platform a player uses, they will log into the Epic Games Launcher. Epic Games Launcher supports logins from Steam, Epic Games, Xbox, or PlayStation accounts. 

Players will need their Microsoft Account Login information that owns Minecraft Java.

Players will need their Epic Games Login Information.

Console players must make an Epic Games account and link it to their console account. Follow this guide to this: https://www.rocketleague.com/activate/

No login is needed; however, the students should know the controller scheme and be able to create it quickly.

Players will need their Riot ID Login Information.

Registration and Check In

Check-in starts at 9:00 am on Friday and 8:00 am on Saturday outside the ballroom.

Host Information

Atwood Memorial Center is circled on the map and is the location of the MNVL State Finals. The address is 651 First Ave S, St Cloud, MN 56301. Buses can drop students off on 6th street in front of Atwood, take a left down 1st Ave and then another left onto 4th street to get to lot C on the corner of 4th Ave and 5th street. This will be the bus only parking lot.  

Parking for everyone else will have a couple options. They will be able to use lot V between 8th and 9th street and 5th Ave S.  Please note there are 3 different V lots all right next to each other. Street parking west of 5th Ave S is also free. Please note that you cannot park within 15 feet of the street corner, or you will get a parking ticket. If you would like to park closer, the 4th Ave parking ramp, located on 4th Ave and 6th street, is $1.50/hr. or $5.00/day and will be first come first serve.
Don’t forget to book a hotel for finals!

Hotel Blocks are below. Teams will need to call directly to the hotels and mention the Esports State Tournament to get the rates.

If you have any issues finding rooms, please reach out to issues [email protected].

Teams are responsible for their own accommodations and arrangements.Here is a list of hotels in the area.
The following dining options will be available at the event.

More information about the Atwood Dining Options can be found here. 

Cash and Card are accepted.

  • Friday:‍ ‍7:30a – 7:00p

  • Saturday: 10:00a – 2:00p and 4:30p – 7:00p

The dining hall will be open. It is ~$13.50 for an all-you-can-eat-buffet.

Fuel your day with a world of flavor at Garvey Commons, our all-you-care-to-eat buffet at St. Cloud State University! From classic American comfort food to bold international bites, our dining hall has something for every craving. Build your perfect bowl at the Mongolian grill, grab a fresh-made deli sandwich, pile on the greens at the salad bar, or dive into pasta, pizza, tacos, and more. Whether you’re an early riser or a night owl, we’ve got you covered with breakfast, lunch, and dinner served daily. Come hungry, leave happy!

  • Friday: 11:00a – 4:00p

  • Saturday: Closed

Bibigo to-go’s Korean flavors help you make the most of every mouthful. Create your own bowl of bibimbap, selecting meat, vegetables and sauces to go with your base (white rice, fried rice, noodles, salad). Life tastes bibi-better when you live delicious.

  • Friday: 10:30a – 3:00p

  • Saturday: 12:00p – 5:00p

Home of the Original Chicken Sandwich, Chick-fil-A also offers favorites such as waffle fries, handspun milkshakes and freshly squeezed lemonade. 

  • Friday: 7:30a – 1:00p
  • Saturday: Closed

Einstein’s Bros. Bagels offers handcrafted hot and cold Caribou Coffee drinks, bagels, breakfast sandwiches, baked goods and snacks to fuel your day.

  • Friday: 7:30a – 4:00p

  • Saturday: 9:00a – 12:00p

We Proudly Serve Starbucks at the Red & Black Coffee Co. is more than just great coffee. Whether you’re searching for something new to warm your mug, seeking the best brew method for your favorite blend or exploring our rarest offerings, you’ve come to the right place.

  • Friday: 8:00a – 9:00p

  • Saturday: 10:00a – 9:00p

The Market features your favorite grab-and-go convenience items along with a variety of prepared foods, grocery items and personal care products.

FENWORKS Limited-Edition Tournament Merch
Available ONLY at the 2026 Esports State Tournament!

At this year's Esports State Tournament, we are releasing an exclusive, limited-edition shirt and hoodie design available only in person at the event! Each item will be screen printed on-site, giving you a chance to take home a truly unique keepsake. Players and fans can customize their own merch with a Gamertag or name, making it a truly one-of-a-kind!

Once the state tournament ends, so does your chance to grab one of these exclusive pieces. Don’t miss this limited-time opportunity to own a piece of Esports history!

FENWORKS Limited Edition Merch Pricing:
T-Shirts: $35
Hoodies: $65

Meet Your Host

The 2025 - 2026 Esports Tournament is hosted by St Cloud State University!

It's Time to Be Bold
At St. Cloud State University, we’ve redefined what it means to be a state university and have made bold and innovative changes to how we serve our students, resulting in a richer, rewarding and more holistic learning experience from day one.

Our Husky Experience is what truly sets St. Cloud State apart. We provide individualized support combined with a world-class education that equips graduates with the tools and skills needed to succeed in today’s ever-changing world.

Join our inclusive and vibrant campus community where you’ll have the opportunity to learn from, and conduct research alongside professors who are also renowned researchers in their fields. With numerous undergraduate and graduate programs, holding nearly every available national accreditation, you can design an educational experience like none other — and one that is centered around you.

Go Huskies!
Learn more

This tournament is in no way sponsored, endorsed, or administered by, or otherwise associated with, Psyonix LLC. The information players provide in connection with this tournament is being provided to tournament organizer and not to Psyonix LLC. By participating in this tournament, to the extent permitted by applicable law, players agree to release and hold harmless Psyonix LLC, its parent company, licensors, its and their affiliates, and its and their employees, officers, directors, agents, contractors, and other representatives from all claims, demands, actions, losses, liabilities, and expenses related to the tournament.

 This competition is not affiliated with or sponsored by Riot Games, Inc., League of Legends Esports.

 This event is not sponsored, endorsed, or administered by Epic Games, Inc.

Nintendo is not a sponsor of or affiliated with this tournament. Terms for participating in and viewing Community Tournaments using Nintendo Games.