Photo by Matthew Brooks

Written By: Ryan Baker, Journalist

24 hours after the Minnesota Wind Chill took down the Austin Sol in the semifinals, they will need to gear up to play the Oakland Spiders for the 2026 Championship at 7 p.m. CT tonight.

This is a matchup we have seen before this season, when the Wind Chill spoiled Oakland’s undefeated season with a one-point win. However, this game will look nothing like the one that happened in June. Both teams were missing personnel, not at their best, and the conditions were significantly different from what they will face tonight.

The conditions will be the hardest thing for both teams to handle, and it’s not because it's windy and gusty. The weather will be stale and calm, making it incredibly difficult for both teams to force turnovers and get the disc back.

“Both offenses are going to be under pressure tonight in a major way, and our guys will be ready for it,” said Head Coach Ben Feldman.

Photo by Matthew Brooks

To give an overview of how the teams have stacked up throughout 2026, Oakland and Minnesota have some differences in their successes, but also some big differences.

• Minnesota’s completion percentage is at 95.32 percent versus Oakland’s 95.09 percent.

• Minnesota’s huck completion rate is at 69.81 percent versus Oakland’s 76.47 percent.

• Minnesota’s hold percentage is at 72.90 percent versus Oakland’s 78.99 percent.

• Minnesota’s break percentage is at 38.90 percent versus Oakland’s 37.81 percent.

• Minnesota’s red zone conversion rate is at 84.92 percent versus Oakland’s 82.80 percent.

These numbers matter for a few reasons. Minnesota will want to force Oakland to send shots deep, since they shoot it deep at one of the lowest clips in the league, prevent the Spiders from playing small ball in the red zone, and avoid giving them second chances on offense.

Photo by Matthew Brooks

“Oakland is a very good defensive team,” said Bryan Vohnoutka. “We can't waste opportunities.”

The New York-Oakland game showed that if you let guys like Walker Frankenburg and Dillon Whited play small ball in the red zone, they'll tear you apart. Also, the Spiders tend to give their opponent break chances, but their defense from their offensive line is the best in the league. They also seem to get the disc back, so for the Wind Chill, they need to focus on combining their quick transition attack with smart decision-making.

“We'll see what type of matchups and game plan Oakland has tonight,” said Gordon Larson. “We're ready for whatever they throw at us. We can adapt.”

Photo by Daniel Cohen

Oakland will apply pressure all game, seeking revenge for the loss earlier in the season, and will make every game moment more difficult than the last. The Wind Chill will need guys across the board to step up, especially since there is a likelihood that Will Brandt doesn’t suit up tonight because of a knee injury he suffered on the first point of the second half last night.

“The offense will look a little different,” said Larson. “Will is either a high-touch guy or a high-attention guy. He draws a lot of attention from the defense. We'll probably keep sending Zach [Morton] deep. BVon will be going to the house like he always does, and then we’re going to have to bring someone over to the O-line.”

Photo by Meghan White

The guys that could assume Brandt’s position on offense are Micah Davis, who slotted in incredibly last night, Paul Krenik, who is no stranger to playing both ways and having success, and Thomas Shope, who was a force to be reckoned with last playoff run. Larson will also need to continue his success after his eight assists and 69/71 completion rate last night.

“It's unfortunate nature of this, but this is the third time in three years we've had to have someone come in for finals, which is a bummer, but that's why you bring reserves, and you keep guys ready,” said Feldman.

It’s going to be a war of attrition in the 2026 Championship. It’s going to come down to execution errors on both ends; however, there shouldn’t be high expectations for those to occur consistently. It’s going to be more about who can step up on Minnesota’s end in the likely absence of Brandt and just overall over the course of the game.  

“I feel confident that with our coaching and also our fans here bringing the energy,” Feldman said. “That's going to give us an advantage when it comes to getting through those tough times.”

Photo by Matthew Brooks

This is Minnesota's third straight finals appearance, its fourth straight Championship Weekend appearance, and a shot at its second title in three years.

“It's awesome to see all of the work that the players are doing and the coaches are doing to be able to put us in this position to come back year after year,” said Vohnoutka.

To watch the game at 7 p.m. CT tonight, go here! It’s free on YouTube!