To make it as easy as possible for you to compete with no distractions, we compiled all of the details and FAQs for finalists who are participating in the Minnesota Steinholding State Championship Finals!
If you have any other questions prior to the day of the State Finals, please contact the USSA representative who confirmed your attendance for the finals or jbanko@ussteinholding.com for help. On the day of the event, please use the contact at the State Finals venue listed below, so we can make sure you get in touch with someone who can help quickly.
October 3rd, 2026 at 5:00pm
New Ulm Oktoberfest, 1 N Minnesota St, New Ulm, MN 56073
IMPORTANT: All competitors are required to sign our updated Code of Conduct and Liability Waiver prior to participating in the State Championship Finals. Please review the document as soon as possible, and sign electronically for agreement to it's terms online here. If you have any questions before signing, please contact USSA.
Competitors can check-in anytime between 10am-4pm at the New Ulm Visitor Center, located at 1 N Minnesota St. Use the VIP Entrance on Center Street and check at with the VIP booth, just inside the entrance, for further instructions.
There will be a check-in table and signage. If you have any issues, you can call the New Ulm Area Chamber of Commerce main office at 507-233-4300 for help.
Some streets in downtown New Ulm are closed for the Oktoberfest event - Center Street from Minnesota St to Broadway St, and Minnesota Street from 1st South to 1st North. Public parking is available in the surrounding city parking lots and nearby streets, all within a short walk of the festival area. View the downtown parking map here!
There will be live music throughout the day, great music, German food options, parades, beer and other fun contests. Check out the New Ulm Downtown Oktoberfest website for more details.
There are no tickets required and no cover charge for New Ulm Oktoberfest, so bring your friends and family to come watch the competition! VIP Passes are available for $50 and include access to the Visitor Center (including indoor restrooms) from 10am-5pm, along with a swag bag and other VIP benefits. Click here for more information on VIP passes.
Since all competitors have qualified at one of our registered tournament locations, the State Finals is a single round, winner-takes-all Steinholding match with separate men's and women's divisions.
Official U.S. Steinholding Association Competitions Rules will be enforced at the State Finals. Make sure you review them before the match so that you're ready to compete correctly: USSA Official Rules
The winners at the State Finals (or runners-up if the State Champions choose not to move on) will be eligible to represent Minnesota at the USSA National Steinholding Championship on November 21st, 2026 in Cincinnati, Ohio. The competitors who represent Minnesota at the National Championship will be reimbursed up to $500 for travel expenses to Cincinnati, and USSA will cover their hotel the night before and the night after the National Championship in Cincinnati. The winners at the National Championship will receive the $4,000 cash prize!
As a pre-qualified, confirmed finalist, there is no cost to you to participate in the State Finals competition.
You don't need to bring anything other than your ID and your iron will to become a champion. The competition steins will be provided to you by the venue, and will be yours to keep as a souvenir of the competition, win or lose.
If you want to stay over, New Ulm Oktoberfest has some recommendations, but book ASAP because town gets VERY busy around Oktoberfest: New Ulm Lodging Options
In the event of rain, the competition will still be held on the same day, but it will be moved indoors to the NU Franklin Event Center, 126 N Minnesota Street. This is just down one block from the Oktoberfest celebration where the state finals will be held. You will receive additional instructions when you check in.
Our State Championship tournament page has more qualifying locations if your friends or family want to qualifying to compete against you in the State Finals! Check it out here: http://usstein.com/minnesota
Minnesota Steinholding State Championship Finals
Our partners at BavariaTrachten.com provided an extra special discount code (STEINHOLDING) to get 10% off any purchase of lederhosen, dirndls, and other Festwear accessories. They have free 2-3 day shipping, so if you want to get decked out for the State Finals or other Oktoberfest events this season, check them out!
