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MSHSL classifications and competitive sections for 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 released

Posted: Friday, April 4, 2025 - 7:55 AM

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MSHSL Competitive Sections

Competitive Section Placements for postseason competition in the 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 school years were approved by the Minnesota State High School League’s Board of Directors at its meeting Thursday, April 3 at the League Office.

Teams at Member Schools are classified by sport and activity and placed into sections for postseason competition every two years.

New this year: Girls Tennis has three classes, up from two.

Competitive Sections for 2025-2026 and 2026-2027

Use the drop-down filters on the above pages to toggle school year, activity and school.

How classifications are determined

A Member School’s MSHSL enrollment determines its classification by activity.

MSHSL enrollment is determined by a school’s Minnesota Department of Education enrollment in grades 9-12 minus 40 percent of its educational benefit (free and reduced lunch).

The classification method for each activity is set by policy.

Opt ups and appeals

Teams can opt up to a higher classification in a sport/activity.

Teams can appeal, if they qualify, to move down one class in the following team activities: Baseball, Boys and Girls Basketball, Dance Team, Football, Boys and Girls Hockey, Boys and Girls Soccer, Girls Softball, One Act Play and Girls Volleyball.

Per Board Policy, to qualify to appeal, a school or co-op must meet one of these two qualifications:

  • School or co-op enrollment must exceed 50 percent free and reduced lunch.
  • And/or MSHSL enrollment must be within 10 percent of the enrollment cut-off for that sport or activity.

How Competitive Sections are determined

Determined every two years, like classification, teams are placed in sections by enrollment and geographic location in sports and activities where they compete for postseason play.

Following policy, Competitive Section Placements are made. The Activity Directors Advisory Committee reviews the placements for geographic contiguity and a balanced number of teams as described in policy. The League Board of Directors affirms the placement of each team in each activity.

District Football process

The Football Placement Committee meets to assign teams to districts in April and May. The MSHSL Board of Directors approves all District Football Placements for 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 at its June 3 meeting.

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