Minnesota Kubb started with a simple idea – to support the growth of kubb in Minnesota on all levels: beginner, recreational, and competitive. What started in a backyard has turned into the largest winter tournament in the world. Kubb unites people and creates peace on earth.

History

2010 – Minnesota Kubb was formed in response to a growing demand for winter kubb events in Minneapolis. Growing rapidly in popularity throughout the Upper Midwest, larger summer kubb events were becoming prevalent. A growing need was evident to bridge the gap between the fall tournaments and the first spring events the following year. 8 teams braved the cold as Minnesota Kubb organized the first charitable winter tournament in the Twin Cities.

2011 – Committed to supporting kubb play during the traditional (and very long) off-season, Minnesota Kubb organized free Open Kubb events to encourage outdoor winter recreation. In February, 16 teams participated in newly titled Minnesota Kubb Winter Tournament. Despite record snowfalls, mild weather in the weeks preceding the tournament forced the event off Lakes of the Isles. Linden Hills park provided an adequate substitute venue with event proceeds going farmertofarmer.org. A partnership with the City of Lakes Nordic Ski Foundation was formed – making the Minnesota Kubb Winter Tournament an official event at the City of Lakes Loppet.

2012 – The first Minnesota Kubb Meetups were held connecting kubb players with one another from around the Twin Cities Metro Area. Kubb is introduced as part of Ibsenfest in Lanesboro, MN. Weekly kubb meetups were held year-round as more players and teams trained for tournaments. The first Minnesota Kubb Loppet Tournament was held at Theodore Wirth Park. 32 teams participated.

2013 – The second Minnesota Kubb Loppet Tournament featured a remarkable 52 teams from four states, making it the largest winter tournament in the world. The first Minnesota Kubb Tri-Loppet Festival Tournament was held in June. New partnerships were formed with the American Swedish Institute and the Marquette Plaza, bringing events to new places in Minneapolis.

2014 – The third Minnesota Kubb Loppet Tournament grew to 64 teams from five states totaling 230 participants playing on Lake Calhoun. Our expansion continues into the summer as we host the 2nd annual Minnesota Kubb Open in downtown Minneapolis, the inaugural American Swedish Institute Tournament on the historic ASI grounds, and we hit the streets to play kubb with Lyndale Open Streets. Two members of Minnesota Kubb participated in the 2014 Kubb World Championships in Sweden taking home silver.

2015 – Mild weather pushed the Minnesota Kubb Loppet Tournament to Theodore Wirth park, but that didn’t stop 64 teams from playing a full day of kubb. 250 participants came from seven states to play. We transitioned to exclusively hosting 3 player minimum tournaments starting with our third annual Minnesota Kubb Open at Marquette Plaza.

2016 – We were back on the Lake for the fifth annual Loppet Kubb Tournament. 64 teams competed.  We were happy to partner with Surly Brewing to launch the Surly Brewing Winter Kubb League featuring 20 teams playing weekly at the destination brewery. We also established a partnership with the St. Paul Kubb Society to create the first ever Kubb Krawl – a one-of-a-kind moving, rolling celebration of kubb in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul utilizing the Metro Transit Green Line. A party that started in the morning at the Minnesota Twins’ Target Field in Minneapolis, the Kubb Krawl made it’s way along the Green Line through Marquette Plaza, Gold Medal Park, The Minnesota State Capitol, Kellogg Park with a finish at CHS Field, home of the St. Paul Saint.

2017 – Pushed off the lake, but not deterred, the 2017 Loppet Kubb Tournament brought 64 teams to Theodore Wirth Park. Year two of the Surly Kubb League was a success, selling out in less than a day. The Second Annual Kubb Krawl was bigger and better ending in the shadow of U.S. Back Stadium, home of the Minnesota Vikings at the Commons Park.

2018 – Minnesota Kubb was an official event at Superbowl LII Live on Nicollet Mall in downtown Minneapolis. Back on Lake Bde Maka Ska, the 2018 Loppet Kubb Tournament expanded to 84 teams made up of 365 participants. We established a new partnership with Sociable Cider Werks creating an April kubb league at the taproom on NE Minneapolis while keeping our Surly League as strong as ever. Year three of the Kubb Krawl was the best yet. Again partnering with the St. Paul Kubb Society, we added a Bike Krawl along with the traditional Rail Krawl. All rails & trails ended at the Summit Brewery for a big old throw down in the rain.

2019 – With the completion of the Trailhead in Theodore Wirth Park, the Loppet Kubb Tournament looks like it may have found a home for the foreseeable future in the Upper Stadium of Theodore Wirth Park. 78 Teams battled it out to in two divisions on a perfect February day.

2020 – We’re looking forward to a new decade of kubb. See you on the pitch.