Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority and Minnesota State High School League Announce Record Attendance to October and November Championships

(Minneapolis, MN) November 28, 2016 - The MSFA and the MSHSL announced today that the State High School Championships saw a 22% increase over the final 2013 MSHSL Football Prep Bowl at the Metrodome, and the MSHSL Soccer championships saw a 50% increase. In its inaugural season, U.S. Bank Stadium welcomed 24,034 visitors for the three days of the soccer tournament, and 91,353 for the two days of football championships. U.S. Bank Stadium welcomed almost 115,000 to watch high school sports in October and November.

"We are thrilled to host the Minnesota State High School League and to see such a significant rise in attendance," said Michele Kelm-Helgen. "When the stadium legislation was written, the legislature and Governor were clear that this stadium would have a community benefit. To see the players on the field, with their friends and families cheering, it truly was something special. This was a great opportunity for people to come and experience the stadium. All the ticket revenue goes to the MSHSL and we know they rely on it to fund their year to year operations."

Attendance at the Metrodome during the last Prep Bowl in 2013 was 74,918. With the move to U.S. Bank Stadium, attendance increased by 21% to 91,353. Soccer championships attendance reached 15,738 in 2013 at the Metrodome, and the inaugural soccer championships at U.S. Bank Stadium was 24,034.

"Words and phrases like, 'fantastic', 'thrilled', 'the best experience of my life', and 'I'll work as hard as I can to get my team here next year' were echoed again and again at the Prep Bowl games by fans, coaches and players," MSHSL Executive Director Dave Stead said. "As an association of schools, the MSHSL is grateful to Governor Dayton, the state legislature, the U.S. Bank Stadium staff and especially to the MSFA and Michele Kelm-Helgen for their ongoing support on behalf of our Minnesota schools and school communities.  They deserve a championship trophy, too!"

The MSFA will host high school and college baseball at U.S. Bank Stadium at the end of February for six weeks through the end of March.