MOORHEAD, Minn. – Minnesota State Moorhead athletics has announced an exciting switch to its fall schedule. The department announced Tuesday that the October 29 soccer match with Minnesota Crookston will be played inside the new Fargo Parks Sports Center at the Sanford Sports Complex. Additionally, the November 14 football game versus Minnesota State will now be played inside the Fargodome as part of the department's 'Red River Roadshow'. 

Kickoff against the Golden Eagles is slated for 1 p.m. on Thursday, October 29. The contest is the final regular season match for both squads and will serve as a Highway 75 Rivalry Rock game. That match will also be free to attend. 

Moorhead's football contest against the Mavericks is set to kickoff at noon inside the Fargodome. All ticketing for that contest will run through the MSUM Box Office with traditional season tickets remaining valid. Fargodome parking will also be free for spectators. 

Both contests become 'neutral' site games with MSUM serving as the host institution. The adjustment and move to neutral site venues follows a department philosophy surrounding positive student-athlete and fan experience. The contests are the first of hopefully several Dragon events to be played outside of Moorhead's facility footprint. The moves are made in hopes of providing new and exciting opportunities for competition for student-athletes. The events will also provide unique spectating experiences for MSUM and visiting fans alike.

"With the Red River Roadshow, having football at the Fargodome and soccer at the Fargo Parks Sports Center, we're taking the Dragon game-day experience beyond campus. We want to create memorable moments for our student-athletes and supporters," said MSUM athletic director Chad Markuson.

The Fargo Parks Sports Center at the Sanford Sports Complex is a state-of-the-art facility nestled in south Fargo. Opened in 2024, the Fargo Parks Sports Center was achieved due to the partnered efforts of the Fargo Park District, Sanford Health and many more community partners. The goal when developing the Fargo Parks Sports Center was to address a critically unmet community need for indoor recreation facilities to serve Fargo and the surrounding region. The facility features a game-length soccer turf, eight hardwood courts, an indoor track, an IcePlex as well as meeting and event spaces
 
"It's great to see organizational support for all MSUM athletics across the Red River Valley," said MSUM head soccer coach Scott Forster. "With the energy soccer is experiencing on the field this year I'm proud to lead this team into the first indoor Highway 75 Rivalry Rock game."
 
The Fargodome opened in 1992 and has served the Red River Valley region for decades in both sporting and full live events. It has served as the home for North Dakota State football since 1993 and can hold up to 18,700 people for a football game. The football playing surface features artificial turf with the facility being completely enclosed with a fixed hard roof. MSUM football has played three games inside the Fargodome with the last being in 2000. 
 
"I'm excited that we're getting the opportunity to play in a venue with such a storied history," said head football coach Steve Laqua. "It's a great chance for our students, fans and alumni to connect with the greater Fargo-Moorhead community."