An esports pilot season approved by the Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) over the summer is opening the door to competitive video gaming one day becoming an official league activity.
The pilot season, which gets underway with preseason competition on Dec. 7, is part of an approved partnership model with North Dakota-based esports provider Fenworks. In 2025, 77 Minnesota schools took part in the Fenworks esports league.
"There's good anticipation that we'll be above 100," said Erich Martens, executive director of the Minnesota State High School League.
The MSHSL presenting partnership model is also used in two other activities: robotics and clay target shooting. Martens said a number of schools had been adding esports programming through a number of different providers, with Fenworks emerging as a clear leader.
"Ultimately, it comes down to the membership of our schools saying that they want the MSHSL to step in and be part of this as a presenting partnership, or to move towards full sanction and we run the program all year long," Martens said. "With what we've seen with the programming and teams that exist in the state, the expertise as well as the background to operate this program, working with Fenworks has demonstrated their ability to manage this."
More than 100 schools supported an application for the league to join the presenting partnership. The agreement means Fenworks will host a state championship in March 2027 with the MSHSL hosting the following season's state tournament in March 2028.
Martens said 75% of Minnesota students in esports are not currently involved in any other MSHSL activity.
"It's a way to reach students who have not been in the same group of students," he said. "It's a way to reach students who have not typically been in that same group of students. They have the ability to earn things like letters, be recognized a pep fests, and earn medals and trophies at state tournaments. I think there's a belonging there and a connection that comes with a team."
In November 2025, WCCO Radio reported on the growing number of opportunities for esports competitors, including at the University of Minnesota through Gopher Esports.
The esports winter season is scheduled to run 10 weeks, with competition covering nine different titles.
Fenworks operating as the league partner
Fenworks operating as the league partner
