Minnesota Forge Unveiled as State's New Professional Volleyball Team

The moniker draws inspiration from the industrial process of creating strength through pressure and purpose, a metaphor ownership hopes will resonate with the state’s 17,000 high school volleyball players and their surrounding communities. Majority owner Craig Leipold, who also leads the Minnesota Wild, stated that the organization intends to build a lasting, elite franchise that mirrors the state's resilience and craft. The visual identity reinforces this connection, utilizing a color palette inspired by the local landscape—ranging from pine-forest greens to Northern Lights purples and Lady Slipper pinks.

Commissioner Jaime Weston noted that Minnesota provides an ideal market for league expansion, citing the region's robust youth and collegiate volleyball infrastructure. The team is set to debut in January 2027 at the Grand Casino Arena in downtown St. Paul. This launch is part of a broader expansion effort by Major League Volleyball, which will grow to a 12-team circuit by the 2027 season. With the transition complete, the organization is now shifting focus toward season-ticket sales and establishing a permanent footprint in the St. Paul sports landscape.