2022 Prep Bowl to be played December 2 and 3

Prep Bowl participants will wait an additional week to play for a football championship after the Minnesota State High School League’s Executive Committee of the Board of Directors today approved the move to Dec. 2-3, 2022, for the seven-game series at U.S. Bank Stadium in downtown Minneapolis.  

While the League’s annual Prep Bowl is traditionally played over Thanksgiving weekend, this season’s move was necessitated after extensive conversations with stakeholders that include the Minnesota Football Coaches Association, the League’s broadcast partner 45TV and the leadership of U.S. Bank Stadium. The Minnesota Vikings play host to the New England Patriots in a nationally televised game on Thanksgiving evening, Nov. 24. With that game finishing late on Thursday evening, it was decided to ensure that participants and their supportive communities would have a quality championship experience with the dates pushed back one week. 

The first day of practice allowed for football remains Monday, August 15. All regular-season, section games and state quarterfinals will be played as scheduled. The semifinals will be played as scheduled Nov. 17-19 at U.S. Bank Stadium.  

“We are excited for our partner, the Minnesota Vikings, and for the State of Minnesota, to have an opportunity to host a rare Thanksgiving evening game,” said Bob Madison, League Associate Director responsible for football. “Along with our partner, U.S. Bank Stadium, we look forward to hosting this year’s Prep Bowl and making it the best possible experience for our student-athletes and their school communities.” 

Additional information from the board meeting will be shared following the meeting.