MSHSL approves esports presenting partnership with Fenworks to operate the 2026-27 Minnesota pilot season
The Minnesota State High School League has approved a preferred partnership agreement for an esports pilot season during the 2026-27 school year, and Fenworks will operate as the league partner and officiating provider.
The MSHSL Board of Directors voted in June 2026 to move forward with the pilot. Registration for our Minnesota Esports Pilot Season opens October 26, 2026, and the season closes out at St. Cloud State University on March 20 and 21, 2027.
So far, more than 80 Minnesota schools have committed to the pilot. We could not be more excited looking ahead to our esports season next fall. 🐺
Nine Game Titles. One Season.
The MSHSL Esports pilot season covers competition across nine esports titles including:
- Rocket League
- Marvel Rivals
- League of Legends
- VALORANT
- Fortnite
- Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
- Mario Kart
- Chess
- Minecraft Bedwars
This range gives our schools room to build programs around their students. From team-based competition to individual skill and strategy formats, there’s a title available for every kind of player.
Across the five states Fenworks operates in, 320 schools and over 3,000 students competed last season. Minnesota brings its own foundation to the pilot, with nine years of scholastic esports in the state and seven years of league operation by our team.
Minnesota Scholastic Esports, Built for Our Schools
The students who show up for esports are often the ones who haven’t found their place anywhere else in the building.
Shawn Yates, MSHSL Board Member and administrator at Warroad Public Schools:
“One of the most rewarding aspects of our program has been its ability to get students involved who otherwise would not be able to or have not participated in sports or other school activities. The majority, 56%, of our current esports players do not participate in any other organized team competition. Furthermore, I’ve witnessed students with IEPs thrive in this setting. Through inclusive gameplay, esports allows them to engage in meaningful activities and showcase their skills and talents that may not be apparent in a traditional classroom setting.”
Kale Severson, Activities Director at North Community High School:
“Our esports program has transformed our student body. We are particularly proud of how esports has fostered connection and inclusion for our students with disabilities, allowing them to participate in non-traditional sports alongside their peers. These students, who might otherwise remain silent observers in the classroom, are developing the confidence and leadership skills necessary to thrive academically and socially.”
Why This Matters to Us
This MSHSL vote today is a milestone for our state. It’s also part of a national movement toward giving scholastic esports the legitimacy it has earned.
Jake Utities, Executive Director of Esports at Fenworks:
“Prior to starting MNVL and Fenworks, our leaders served as teachers, coaches, and competitors in scholastic esports programs. It is in those roles that we saw firsthand the tremendous impact that esports has on a group of our least served students. We saw them make friends, build a community, increase their attendance and academic achievement, find a new path to college, and most importantly we saw them be happier to come to school each day. That is why we made it our mission to bring this program to more kids who are looking for a place to belong.
Being recognized by MSHSL brings legitimacy to the program and to the kids participating, and it also means that esports will continue to have an impact on Minnesotan students long after we are gone. That is the ultimate gratification for those of us who have worked tirelessly to build up esports in the state. Thank you to everyone who helped to make this possible, and we hope to see esports continue to grow its impact on our students!”
Pilot Season Timeline
- October 26, 2026 — Registration opens
- November 25, 2026 — Registration closes
- December 7, 2026 — Preseason competition begins
- January 4, 2027 — Regular season starts
- February 22, 2027 — Playoffs begin
- March 20-21, 2027 — Minnesota State Esports Tournament at St. Cloud State University
Ready to Join the Pilot?
Our full program information lives at fenworks.com/minnesota-esports. Our team is also available directly at [email protected].
About Fenworks
Fenworks runs scholastic esports, drone racing, and golf simulator leagues for high schools and colleges across Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. Last season, 320 schools competed across our region. We also provide platform and programming support to leagues in Washington (WSSEA), Michigan (MISEF), Iowa (IAHSEA), and Kansas (KSSE), support collegiate competition through NAECAD, and are a member of the Interstate Scholastic Esports Alliance (ISEA).
If you’re a school or college looking to bring high-tech activities to your students, you can learn more about everything we offer at fenworks.com or reach out directly at [email protected].