Howie Hanson is Minnesota’s Columnist, writing about power, money, sports and civic life across the state. His daily column is sponsored by Lyric Kitchen . Bar of Duluth.
The Minnesota Monsters will introduce their new arena football franchise to the public this afternoon at Amsoil Arena, marking the organization’s first formal step into the Duluth market.
The event, scheduled to begin at 4 p.m., will serve as the team’s public launch and the start of its initial season-ticket campaign ahead of the 2026 season in Arena Football One.
Expansion teams typically begin operations by establishing a fan base before play begins. Today's program is intended to introduce the franchise’s ownership, leadership and plans for operating in Duluth.
Owners Jacob and Brianna Lambert are expected to outline their vision for the organization and its place in the region's sports landscape.
“Brianna and I are building a strong franchise for Duluth,” Jacob Lambert said. “We have a vision and lofty goals.”
Also scheduled to speak are team CEO and general manager Meadow Lemon and head coach Daron Clark, who will lead football operations as the club prepares for its inaugural season.
The event will include the unveiling of the team’s uniforms, the introduction of players and the release of the 2026 schedule.
Team officials will also begin selling season tickets, an early step for any new professional franchise attempting to establish a foothold in a new market. Initial ticket buyers typically form the core of a team’s early fan base and help determine the level of community support heading into the first season.
Arena football has operated in several forms across the United States for decades, with leagues frequently reorganizing or relaunching. Teams that have sustained operations in smaller markets have generally relied on early community engagement and consistent ticket support.
For the Monsters, todays event represents the franchise’s first opportunity to present its leadership and operating plan directly to the public.
While the team’s first game will come in mid-April, the organization’s effort to build a fan base in Duluth effectively begins with today's introduction at Amsoil Arena.
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Business leaders, elected officials and community stakeholders from across northeastern Minnesota will travel to St. Paul on March 18–19 for the 29th annual Duluth and St. Louis County Days at the Capitol, a regional advocacy effort during the 2026 Minnesota legislative session.
Organized by the Duluth Area Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the city of Duluth and St. Louis County, the event brings together hundreds of participants to meet with lawmakers, discuss regional priorities and advocate for policies and projects aimed at supporting economic growth and community development.
Now in its 29th year, Duluth and St. Louis County Days at the Capitol is the largest regional advocacy event of its kind in Minnesota, providing a coordinated voice for northeastern Minnesota at the state level.
“When our community shows up together in St. Paul, it makes a difference,” said Matt Baumgartner, president of the Duluth Area Chamber of Commerce. “Duluth and St. Louis County at the Capitol is about making sure lawmakers understand the opportunities in our region and the investments that will help our businesses, workforce, and communities succeed.”
During the two-day event, participants will meet with legislators at the Minnesota State Capitol to discuss priorities outlined in the region’s 2026 Legislative Priorities Booklet. Key issues include housing, economic development, childcare access, workforce development, support for the 148th Fighter Wing and Duluth International Airport, and major infrastructure and community projects across the region.
The event will also include a Grand Reception on March 18 and a Legislative Breakfast on March 19, providing additional opportunities for regional leaders and lawmakers to discuss issues affecting Duluth, St. Louis County and northeastern Minnesota.
Each year, the event draws business leaders, nonprofit organizations, educators and community advocates working together to promote the region’s priorities at the state Capitol.
