Cricket Craze Has Minnesota Lawmakers Swinging for High School Teams

St. Paul, Minn. — A legislative push is under way to bring the world’s second-most-popular sport to Minnesota high schools. A newly introduced bill would direct the Minnesota State High School League to add cricket to its roster of sanctioned activities, beginning with pilot programs in the 2025–26 academic year and scaling up as local participation accelerates ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

The measure, which has bipartisan support, tasks the MSHSL with designing the initial pilots and monitoring growth in student interest. If enrollment surges as expected, cricket would join the state’s expanding slate of varsity options, reflecting the sport’s rising profile across the Upper Midwest.

Lawmakers backing the bill cite Minnesota’s diverse communities and the sport’s grassroots momentum as key drivers. With LA28 on the horizon, proponents say early adoption could position the state as a national leader in youth cricket development.

The bill now heads to committee hearings, where legislators will debate timelines, funding mechanisms, and league oversight. A vote is expected before the session adjourns in May.