Lacrosse returns to the Olympics in 2028. Here's how Sixes works, how it's different, and why backyard players are ready for it.
Updated: May 2026
Lacrosse Sixes is a modified 6v6 format designed for accessibility and spectator appeal. The International Olympic Committee chose it for the 2028 Los Angeles Games - selecting it over traditional 10v10 lacrosse for its faster pace, smaller field requirements, and suitability for non-traditional venues. The result is a game that demands individual skill, explosive decision-making, and relentless hustle. If you've been training in your backyard, you're already thinking like an Olympian.
| Rule | Traditional 10v10 | Sixes 6v6 |
|---|---|---|
| Players per side | 10 | 6 (5 field + 1 GK) |
| Field size | 110 × 60 yards | 70m × 36m (~77 × 39 yards) |
| Shot clock | None (men's) | 30 seconds |
| Offsides | Complex zone rules | Over and Back rule only |
| Advance rule | None | 10 seconds to advance |
| Substitutions | Restricted | On-the-fly through box |
| Out-of-bounds | Possession to non-toucher | Possession to non-toucher |
| Overtime | Varies | Sudden victory |
Why Sixes instead of traditional 10v10 lacrosse for the Olympics?
The IOC selected Sixes because it requires fewer players, a smaller field, and is faster and more TV-friendly. It also opens lacrosse to more nations - you need 6 players and a smaller patch of turf, not 20+ players and a regulation-size field.
Is this the same format the PLL plays?
Yes - the 2026 PLL & WLL Lexus Championship Series (Feb 27-Mar 8, 2026) was played in Sixes format at The St. James in Springfield, VA. The PLL also runs the Utah Sixes Classic (May 8-9, 2026) for youth players, and the 2026 PLL regular season (expanded with 2 additional games) opened May 8 on ESPN. The PLL's adoption proves the format works at the elite level. The Carolina Chaos won the PLL title (24-16 over Redwoods); the New York Charging won the WLL title (18-11 over Palms).
How does a country qualify for Olympic lacrosse?
There are three stages: (1) Continental championships in late 2026 advance 16 teams per gender to the World Sixes Championships; (2) The 2027 World Lacrosse Sixes Championships (September-November 2027, host city TBD) award 5 Olympic spots per gender (including the U.S. as host); (3) A final qualifying tournament in early 2028 awards the last spot per gender. Approximately 100 teams worldwide are expected to enter the pathway.
How many teams will compete in Olympic lacrosse?
Six men's teams and six women's teams - 12 total. The IOC confirmed this allocation in April 2025. Each gender will compete in round-robin play followed by bronze and gold medal matches.
When and where will Olympic lacrosse take place?
July 24-29, 2028 at Exposition Park Stadium (BMO Stadium) in Los Angeles. The 22,000-seat venue (home of LAFC and Angel City FC) will host both lacrosse and flag football. The IOC uses the non-commercial name 'Exposition Park Stadium' for the venue during the Games. Five days of preliminary round-robin games, with bronze and gold medal matches on July 29 - the penultimate day of the Olympic Games.
Does the U.S. automatically qualify as host?
Yes - the United States automatically qualifies for both the men's and women's Olympic Sixes tournaments, provided its teams participate in the continental championships and World Lacrosse Sixes Championships. The USOPC officially certified USA Lacrosse as the National Governing Body in April 2026.
Can the Haudenosaunee Nationals compete at the Olympics?
The Haudenosaunee Nationals - representing the creators of lacrosse - are campaigning to participate at LA 2028 under their own flag, but face significant Olympic Charter barriers. The IOC requires a recognized National Olympic Committee (NOC), and the Haudenosaunee Confederacy is not recognized as a sovereign nation by the United Nations. World Lacrosse is 'fully committed to collaborating with the IOC and other key stakeholders to find creative solutions' for Haudenosaunee participation. The IOC has stated that Haudenosaunee athletes could compete under the U.S. or Canadian flags depending on their passport. Both the U.S. and Canadian governments have issued statements supporting Haudenosaunee inclusion. Regardless of Olympic eligibility, the Haudenosaunee can compete in the 2026 Pan-American Sixes Championships (Sep 29-Oct 4, Oshawa) and the Olympic qualifying pathway as World Lacrosse members. They swept double gold at the 2025 PALA Sixes Cup in Puerto Rico (men 15-12, women 16-9).
Which emerging nations are competing in Olympic qualifying?
India is a standout story - both its men's and women's teams won gold at the Asian Lacrosse Games (Feb 2026) and will compete at the Asia-Pacific Sixes Championships for the first time ever. The Lacrosse Association of India now has 26 state associations and a deal with Jalandhar manufacturer Anand and Anand to produce 5,000 made-in-India sticks - CEO Ashish Anand pledged that Olympic-bound Indian players will carry domestically-made sticks. Malaysia won its first-ever Asian lacrosse medal (bronze at the Chengdu 2026 games in April) and is also targeting the AP Sixes Championships. Hong Kong's women's team finished third at the EuroLax Sixes Cup in Portugal and will compete at both the Women's Championship Division II in Wroclaw and the AP Sixes Championships. Brazil is also building its program, with player Tim Rider noting the country's speed and agility could thrive in Sixes. With 97 World Lacrosse member nations and a three-stage qualifying pathway, the Olympic field is wider than ever. The continental championships (Sep-Dec 2026) will reveal which nations advance to the 2027 World Sixes Championships.
Updated: May 2026
These rules govern all World Lacrosse sanctioned Sixes events, including Olympic qualifying. All rules are sourced directly from the World Lacrosse 2024-2025 Sixes Rule Book. In May 2026, World Lacrosse adopted landmark athlete safety and equipment standards that will apply at the 2027 Sixes Championships and all future WL events (see Equipment Standards below).
Full rulebook: World Lacrosse 2024-2025 Sixes Rules (PDF) ↗
Updated: April 2026
The 30-second shot clock and smaller field create a specific skill profile for Sixes success. Here are the five skills that matter most - and how to train all of them in your backyard.
The 30-second shot clock rewards players who can shoot the moment they have an opening. You don't always get a perfect setup - often it's a catch-and-shoot with one step. Practice single-step shooting from 3 angles: top center, right wing, left wing. Catch, plant, release. No extra cradles. No wind-up.
Key Focus
Time between catch and release - shorten it every session
Teaching Cues
With 6 players per side and a smaller field, every possession involves 1v1 confrontations. Practice the three core Sixes dodges from multiple field positions: Roll dodge (plant, spin away from defender's stick), Split dodge (fake one way, go the other), Bull dodge (straight through contact). Use a cone or trash can as your defender stand-in. Add a finish - throw at the wall or low shot - to complete every rep.
Key Focus
Decisive footwork - commit to the dodge direction, no hesitation
Teaching Cues
In a 6v6 game with nowhere to hide, defenders shade your dominant hand constantly. If you can't go left (or right, for lefties), you're predictable. Dedicate the first 10 minutes of every session to non-dominant hand only: wall ball, cradling while walking, catching self-tossed balls off a wall.
Key Focus
Comfort, not speed - consistency builds over weeks
Teaching Cues
The shorter shot clock means teams can't reset and walk the ball down. Train your decision speed during wall ball by deciding before the ball hits your pocket: shoot or feed? Hold or release? This mental rep builds decision speed just like physical reps build muscle memory. Most players only train physical skills - the player also training decision speed has a hidden edge.
Key Focus
Decision made BEFORE catch, not after
Teaching Cues
With fewer players on the field, every loose ball is a possession shift. In Sixes, ground balls often come down to one player's hustle versus another's. Scatter 5 tennis balls around your yard, sprint to each one, scoop clean, and cradle out. Zero equipment beyond the balls.
Key Focus
Eyes on the ball through the scoop - don't look up early
Teaching Cues
Updated: May 18, 2026
The qualification pathway for LA 2028 is now confirmed. Approximately 100 teams will enter a three-stage journey - continental championships, World Lacrosse Sixes Championships, and a final qualifying tournament - with six men's and six women's teams earning the right to compete at the Olympics. The U.S. automatically qualifies as host nation if its teams participate. Lacrosse has also been confirmed for The World Games 2029 in Karlsruhe, Germany (July 19-29, 2029) - its fourth consecutive World Games appearance.
Third edition of the Pan-American Lacrosse Association Sixes Cup. Haudenosaunee swept both golds: men defeated Puerto Rico 15-12 in the final (5-0 record, Trey Deere 32 pts), women defeated Puerto Rico 16-9 (second straight PALA Sixes Cup title). First international lacrosse tournament held in Puerto Rico. Teams: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Haudenosaunee, Mexico, Peru, Puerto Rico. Neither USA nor Canada fielded teams. The tournament also highlighted the Haudenosaunee Nationals' continued campaign for Olympic inclusion - World Lacrosse stated it is 'fully committed to collaborating with the IOC and other key stakeholders to find creative solutions' for Haudenosaunee participation at LA 2028, while the IOC maintains that only recognized NOCs can enter Olympic teams.
Canada swept both golds. Men: Canada 16-12 over USA; Haudenosaunee bronze 14-13 over Australia. Women: Canada Red 14-12 over Australia; Canada White bronze 14-8 over Haudenosaunee. 10 men's teams, 8 women's teams from 3 continental federations. Canada remains top-ranked men's sixes program.
Australia won gold (13-3 over Philippines), Japan bronze (9-5 over New Zealand). Top four - Australia, Philippines, Japan, New Zealand - qualified for 2027 World Men's Championship. Australia's first AP title since 2007.
Pro Sixes at the highest level. PLL: Carolina Chaos won 24-16 over California Redwoods - Shane Knobloch (30 pts) won Golden Stick. WLL: New York Charging won 18-11 over California Palms - Izzy Scane (6G) and Madison Doucette (16 saves) led the way; Charlotte North won Golden Stick (22 pts). Austin Kaut set PLL Sixes saves record (84 over 5 games). Proved Sixes format delivers dramatic, high-scoring pro competition. The WLL now launches its inaugural regular season on May 16 in Providence, RI, with four teams playing 8 games plus an All-Star Game (Jul 5, Annapolis) and Championship (Aug 15, Philadelphia).
Tier 2 continental event for emerging Asian federations. Men's teams: China, Hong Kong China, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia. Women's teams: China, Hong Kong China, Pakistan, Singapore. Malaysia won men's bronze (15-10 over Saudi Arabia) - the country's first-ever Asian lacrosse medal. Results strengthen Malaysia's and Hong Kong's credentials ahead of the Asia-Pacific Sixes Championships (Oct 5-10), the Olympic qualifier.
Youth Sixes tournament (boys and girls, 2035-Varsity divisions) run by PLL Play. Olympic-style 6v6 format for the next generation of players. Coincided with PLL Season 8 opening weekend at the same venue.
The world's first national Sixes lacrosse league returns for its sixth season. Opening weekend May 16-17 at Stockport Lacrosse Club; Finals Weekend May 30-31 at Blackheath Rugby Club in London. Four men's and four women's teams (Swift, Rise, Hustle, Forge) compete in the Olympic format. Over 1,100 fans attended in 2025. Players from 10+ nations participate.
Inaugural Division II women's championship. 12 teams in 2 pools: Pool A (Latvia, Korea, Netherlands, New Zealand, South Africa, Spain) and Pool B (Italy, Hong Kong China, Mexico, Norway, Poland, Switzerland). 42 games over 8 days. Semifinals July 16, medal round July 18. All four Continental Federations represented.
16 teams in 4 pools. Top seeds: U.S. (Pool A), Canada (Pool B), England (Pool C), Japan (Pool D). Includes Haudenosaunee, Ireland, Chinese Taipei, Philippines, and more. Not Sixes format, but critical for Olympic momentum.
Regional qualifier for 2027 World Men's Championship in Japan. U.S., Canada, and Haudenosaunee - the world's top three teams - will compete. Jamaica (ranked 8th globally) is host and a Pan-American contender. The Jamaica Olympic Association is providing financial support. First international lacrosse championship hosted in Jamaica and the Caribbean.
Olympic qualifier - Stage 1 continental championship. U.S. men's and women's Sixes teams will compete. 5 spots available for World Sixes Championships.
Olympic qualifier - Stage 1 continental championship. 5 spots available for World Sixes Championships.
Olympic qualifier - Stage 1 continental championship. 5 spots available for World Sixes Championships.
Olympic qualifier - Stage 1 continental championship. 1 spot available for World Sixes Championships.
Primary Olympic qualifier - Stage 2. 16 men's and 16 women's teams compete. U.S. + 4 teams per gender earn Olympic berths. Host city bidding process reopened in early May 2026; championship window narrowed to Sep-Nov 2027. Host city to be announced.
Last chance - Stage 3. Six men's and six women's teams compete round-robin for the final Olympic spot per gender.
Lacrosse returns to the Olympics after 120 years. Six teams per gender compete. Five days of round-robin prelims, medal games on July 29 - the penultimate day of the Games.
Lacrosse confirmed for The World Games 2029 - its fourth consecutive appearance. Specific disciplines (Sixes, field, or both) and genders will be announced later in 2026. Around 4,000 athletes from 100+ countries expected. Continues lacrosse's multi-sport visibility between LA 2028 and future Olympic bids.
🔔 Updated May 18, 2026. NCAA quarterfinals complete: Syracuse 13-11 over UNC, Notre Dame 15-9 over Johns Hopkins (Sat); Princeton 14-10 over Penn State, Duke 16-6 over Georgetown (Sun). Championship Weekend set: Princeton vs Duke, Syracuse vs Notre Dame (May 23, Charlottesville). PLL Week 2: Chaos 14-10 over Cannons, Whipsnakes 12-6 over Atlas (Fri); Outlaws 10-9 over Redwoods, Cannons 19-5 over Waterdogs (Sat). WLL inaugural season opened in Providence. The Fly Season 6 opened in Stockport. Next: NCAA semifinals May 23, championship May 25; Women's Championship Division II Jul 11-18, Women's Championship Tokyo Jul 24-Aug 2, Pan-American Men's Kingston Aug 16-23, Pan-American Sixes Oshawa Sep 29-Oct 4.
Updated: April 2026
All drills in this plan work with the Skill Stick and common backyard balls - tennis, wiffle, and foam. The Skill Stick is engineered specifically for these balls, so the same drills work whether you're in a full backyard or a narrow driveway. (Mini sticks and fiddle sticks use balls smaller than tennis balls; wiffle, tennis, and foam balls are too large for their pockets. The Skill Stick is designed for exactly these balls by design.)
Monday
20 min
Quick-Release Shooting
Tuesday
15 min
Off-Hand Only
Wednesday
20 min
Dodge + Finish
Thursday
15 min
Ground Balls
Friday
20 min
Mix
Monday
20 min
Shooting (Beat Week 1)
Tuesday
20 min
Off-Hand + Decision
Wednesday
20 min
Dodge + Second Cone
Thursday
15 min
Ground Ball Timed
Friday
25 min
Full Drill Circuit
Monday
20 min
30-Second Shooting
Tuesday
20 min
Pressure Off-Hand
Wednesday
20 min
Game-Speed Dodges
Thursday
15 min
Ground Ball Chaos
Friday
30 min
Full Simulation
Updated: May 18, 2026
This section grows as the Olympics approach. Most recent first.
All four NCAA Division I Men's Lacrosse Tournament quarterfinals are complete. Saturday at Hofstra: No. 6 Syracuse defeated No. 3 North Carolina 13-11 (Joey Spallina 3G/3A, Finn Thomson hat trick, John Mullen 13-of-24 faceoffs with 2 goals; UNC's Dominic Pietramala held to 2G/1A after his 10-goal first round). No. 2 Notre Dame pulled away from Johns Hopkins 15-9 (Josh Yago 4G/3A, Fighting Irish outscored Blue Jays 9-3 in the second half). Sunday at Delaware Stadium: No. 1 Princeton defeated No. 8 Penn State 14-10 (Tucker Wade 4G, Chad Palumbo 2G/3A for his 101st career goal, Andrew McMeekin dominated faceoffs 19-of-26 with 12 GB and a key fourth-quarter goal). Unseeded Duke upset Georgetown 16-6 — the most lopsided quarterfinal win since 2021 (Max Sloat 4G/1A, Benn Johnston 3G). Duke is the first unseeded team to reach Championship Weekend since 2017. Championship Weekend: Princeton vs. Duke and Syracuse vs. Notre Dame on May 23 at Scott Stadium, Charlottesville, VA, with the championship May 25. While not Sixes format, the tournament drives lacrosse visibility and Olympic momentum.
PLL Week 2 at Centreville Bank Stadium in Pawtucket, RI — the league's first-ever stop in Rhode Island — produced four games. Friday: Carolina Chaos defeated Boston Cannons 14-10 (building on Championship Series momentum), and Maryland Whipsnakes dominated New York Atlas 12-6. Saturday: Denver Outlaws edged California Redwoods 10-9, and Boston Cannons bounced back with a 19-5 rout of Philadelphia Waterdogs. All eight PLL teams now sit at 1-1 through two weeks. The WLL also opened its inaugural regular season at the same venue — New York Charging vs. Boston Guard on May 16 (ESPN+) — marking the first full professional women's lacrosse season in U.S. history. Sources: PLL, USA Lacrosse.
Sunday's NCAA quarterfinals at Delaware Stadium completed the Championship Weekend field. No. 1 Princeton defeated No. 8 Penn State 14-10, overcoming a 10-9 fourth-quarter deficit with five unanswered goals in the final 14 minutes. Tucker Wade scored 4 goals, Chad Palumbo added 2G/3A for his 101st career goal, and Andrew McMeekin dominated faceoffs (19-of-26, 12 ground balls). Unseeded Duke routed Georgetown 16-6 — the most lopsided quarterfinal victory since 2021. Max Sloat had 4G/1A and Benn Johnston added 3G for Duke, which lost four straight in the regular season but has now won three consecutive elimination games. Georgetown's quarterfinal losing streak extended to 12 consecutive appearances dating back to 2000. Championship Weekend is set: No. 1 Princeton vs. Duke and Syracuse vs. Notre Dame on May 23 at Scott Stadium, Charlottesville, VA. The championship is May 25. Source: USA Lacrosse, Princeton Athletics.
World Lacrosse adopted the most comprehensive athlete safety measures in its history, establishing certified equipment standards across all disciplines at WL-owned and sanctioned events. Key changes: (1) Protective eyewear required for all women's field and women's Sixes athletes; (2) Women's field and Sixes athletes permitted to wear soft-shell headgear; (3) NOCSAE-certified helmets required wherever helmets are mandated; (4) Goalkeepers in field and Sixes must wear NOCSAE-certified chest protection; (5) NOCSAE commotio cordis-certified shoulder pads required for men's field, men's Sixes, and men's/women's box. Standards are phased in by discipline — Sixes standards take effect at the 2027 WL Sixes Championships. Studies show protective eyewear reduces catastrophic eye injury risk by up to 84%, and a 2024 study found 50% reduction in concussion rates among women wearing soft-shell headgear. WL will support members through grants and procurement programs for certified equipment. Source: World Lacrosse.
The Fly, the world's first national Sixes lacrosse league, opened its sixth season on May 16-17 at Stockport Lacrosse Club in Greater Manchester. Four franchises (Swift, Rise, Hustle, Forge) compete in both men's and women's divisions in the Olympic format. Finals Weekend is May 30-31 at Blackheath Rugby Club in London. Over 1,100 fans attended in 2025, and players from 10+ nations — including England, Scotland, Ireland, Wales, Germany, Italy, China, Australia, the U.S., and Canada — participate. The Fly provides a critical Sixes development pathway for British and European players targeting the 2027 European Sixes Championships and Olympic qualifying.
The Premier Lacrosse League announced the addition of a Coaching Fellow position to each of its eight teams, expanding the league's investment in player development and coaching. The Coaching Fellow serves as a fourth member of each team's coaching staff, working on film study, scouting, and weekly preparation, and stepping in as an on-field coach if needed. The 2026 fellows include current and future Hall of Famers: Todd MacFarlane (Cannons), Scott Urick (Atlas), Eric Law (Waterdogs), Mike Murphy (Whipsnakes), Jack Runkel (Chaos), Rob Forster (Archers), Jordan Stevens (Outlaws), and Brendan Mundorf (Redwoods). SVP of Lacrosse Rachael DeCecco called it 'a direct investment in the development of our players and coaches.' The move professionalizes the coaching pipeline as PLL enters its eighth season. Source: PLL.
The Women's Lacrosse League held its first-ever supplemental draft on March 25-26, 2026, expanding rosters from 13 to 19 players ahead of its inaugural regular season. Sam Apuzzo was selected No. 1 overall by the California Palms. The four teams (Boston Guard, California Palms, Maryland Charm, New York Charging) each added six players to build depth for the 8-game regular season, All-Star Game (Jul 5, Annapolis), and Championship (Aug 15, Philadelphia). The roster expansion signals the WLL's commitment to a sustainable full-season format following the successful 2026 Championship Series. Source: PLL, USA Lacrosse.
The 2025 PALA Sixes Cup (Dec 10-14, Humacao, Puerto Rico) saw the Haudenosaunee Nationals sweep both gold medals. The men went 5-0, defeating Puerto Rico 15-12 in the final - Trey Deere led with 32 points (21G, 11A), Koleton Marquis added 23, and Teharonhieorens McComber scored 24. The women won their second straight PALA Sixes Cup title, defeating Puerto Rico 16-9. The tournament featured seven nations (Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Haudenosaunee, Mexico, Peru, Puerto Rico) and was the first international lacrosse tournament held in Puerto Rico. Neither the USA nor Canada fielded teams. The event also spotlighted the Haudenosaunee Nationals' ongoing campaign for Olympic inclusion - World Lacrosse stated it is 'fully committed to collaborating with the IOC and other key stakeholders to find creative solutions' for Haudenosaunee participation at LA 2028, while the IOC maintains that only recognized NOCs can enter Olympic teams. U.S. and Canadian government statements support Haudenosaunee inclusion. Sources: Eastern Door, CBC Sports, World Lacrosse.
A CBC Sports feature from the PALA Sixes Cup in Puerto Rico highlighted the Haudenosaunee Nationals' continued push for Olympic inclusion at LA 2028. The organization has had informal conversations with World Lacrosse and the IOC, and hopes to meet with new IOC president Kirsty Coventry. World Lacrosse reaffirmed it is 'fully committed to collaborating with the IOC and other key stakeholders to find creative solutions to showcase the sport's history and explore a potential pathway for the Haudenosaunee to participate in LA 2028 while respecting the Olympic Games framework.' The IOC's position remains that only recognized National Olympic Committees can enter teams; Haudenosaunee players could compete under the U.S. or Canadian flags depending on passport. The U.S. and Canadian governments have both issued statements supporting Haudenosaunee inclusion. Players Jalyn Jimerson and Bean Minerd emphasized the cultural significance: 'We are just going to keep fighting, and we're good at that, because we're still here.' The Haudenosaunee can still enter the 2026 Pan-American Sixes Championships (Sep 29-Oct 4, Oshawa) as World Lacrosse members. Source: CBC Sports.
World Lacrosse appointed Wendy Cuthbert as chair of its Development Committee, succeeding Rick Mercurio who stepped down after being elected to the World Lacrosse board of directors in late 2025. Cuthbert has served on the Development Committee since 2017 and brings extensive experience in global lacrosse development, from grassroots to high performance in Ontario, Canada, and as a director of National Championships with the Canadian Lacrosse Association (now Lacrosse Canada). She will chair meetings immediately, and the committee will fill three open positions in the coming months. The appointment reinforces World Lacrosse's commitment to growing the sport globally in the Olympic era.
The 2026 NCAA Division I Men's Lacrosse Tournament first round (May 9-10) produced major upsets and set quarterfinal matchups for May 16-17. Johns Hopkins upset No. 7 seed Cornell 9-8 in overtime. Georgetown defeated No. 5 Virginia 14-10 - the first win over the Cavaliers in program history. Top seed Princeton advanced past Marist 17-8 (Chad Palumbo 6 goals, Nate Kabiri 3G/5A, Ryan Croddick 14 saves). No. 2 Notre Dame dominated Jacksonville 18-5 (Luke Miller 5 goals). No. 3 North Carolina routed UAlbany 24-6 - Dominic Pietramala set the NCAA tournament single-game record with 10 goals. No. 6 Syracuse held off Yale 16-15. No. 8 Penn State beat Army 10-6. Duke beat No. 4 Richmond 14-12. Quarterfinals: May 16 (UNC vs. Syracuse, Johns Hopkins vs. Notre Dame) and May 17 (Penn State vs. Princeton, Duke vs. Georgetown). Semifinals May 23, Championship May 25 at Scott Stadium, Charlottesville, VA. The tournament's visibility continues to build lacrosse's Olympic momentum ahead of LA 2028.
The USA Lacrosse Week 1 recap highlighted several key storylines from Salt Lake City. Dillon Ward made a statement in his Redwoods debut with 12 saves (70.2%) - his best save percentage since September 2023 - after being traded from Philadelphia just weeks before the season. Michael Boehm, a St. Ignatius (Cleveland) product acquired in the offseason, led the Redwoods with 5 points including a highlight-reel around-the-world goal. Xander Dickson returned from a gruesome leg injury suffered in the 2025 PLL championship game, recording a hat trick in his comeback for the Atlas. Kieran McArdle passed Hall of Famer Casey Powell for 5th on the all-time professional field lacrosse scoring list during the Waterdogs' 16-14 win over the Whipsnakes. Utah's youth movement delivered - Sam King (4 pts), rookies Ryan Stines and CK Giancola (5 pts combined), and defenders Mitchell Dunham and Brendan Lavelle (7 caused turnovers, 6 ground balls combined between them) powered the Archers past Denver 10-7. Sources: USA Lacrosse, PLL, KSL.
The Women's Lacrosse League (WLL) opens its inaugural regular season on Saturday, May 16, at Centreville Bank Stadium in Pawtucket, RI. The opener features the New York Charging (2026 Championship Series winners) vs. the Boston Guard on ESPN+. The season runs through August 15 (WLL Championship in Philadelphia). Four teams compete: Boston Guard, California Palms, Maryland Charm, and New York Charging. Eight regular-season games, a July 5 All-Star Game in Annapolis on ESPN2, and the championship on ESPN. The WLL regular season follows the successful 2026 Championship Series (Feb 27-Mar 8), where the New York Charging won 18-11 over the California Palms and Charlotte North earned the Golden Stick. This marks the first full professional women's lacrosse season in the U.S. and a critical step for women's Sixes development ahead of LA 2028. Sources: PLL, Wikipedia.
PLL Week 1 in Herriman, UT concluded with two Saturday games. Utah Archers 10, Denver Outlaws 7 - Connor Fields had a first-half hat trick, Sam King and CK Giancola each scored twice, and backup goalie Nick Washuta made 10 saves (62% save percentage) in his second straight start. The defense held Brennan O'Neill to a single 2-point goal and one assist. Beau Pederson and Ryan Stines also scored for Utah, which bounced back from Friday's 9-5 loss to the Redwoods. The Archers honored 17-year-old Brady Famuliner as honorary captain. Philadelphia Waterdogs 16, Maryland Whipsnakes 14 - Matt DeLuca made 15 saves in his first start; Mac Sowers (3G, 2A) and Marcus Brandau (4G, 1A) led the offense. Week 1 standings: Atlas 1-0, Redwoods 1-0, Waterdogs 1-0, Archers 1-1, Whipsnakes 0-1, Outlaws 0-1, Chaos 0-1, Cannons 0-0. Week 2 heads to Providence, RI (May 15-16). Sources: KSL, PLL.
The 2026 PLL season opened May 8-9 at Zions Bank Stadium in Herriman, UT with an expanded schedule (2 additional games). Friday night: New York Atlas 16, Carolina Chaos 12 - Jeff Teat scored the go-ahead goal in the third quarter and rookie Jackson Eicher notched a hat trick in his PLL debut; the Atlas scored 7 goals in the second quarter to build a 9-4 halftime lead. California Redwoods 9, Utah Archers 5 - Michael Boehm (3G, 2A) and Chris Kavanagh (4G, 1A in his PLL debut) led the Redwoods; Ryan Stines scored in his pro debut for the Archers. Saturday: Philadelphia Waterdogs 16, Maryland Whipsnakes 14 - Matt DeLuca made 15 saves in his first start; Mac Sowers (3G, 2A) and Marcus Brandau (4G, 1A) led the Waterdogs. The PLL continues to reinforce Sixes as the Olympic discipline - every game streams on the ESPN App, with 19 games on ABC/ESPN/ESPN2. Sources: KSL, USA Lacrosse, PLL Stats.
The International World Games Association confirmed lacrosse's inclusion in The World Games 2029 in Karlsruhe, Germany (July 19-29, 2029). The specific disciplines and genders will be confirmed in a second phase of announcements later in 2026. This marks lacrosse's fourth consecutive World Games appearance - women's field was contested in 2017 (Wroclaw), men's and women's Sixes in 2022 (Birmingham), and women's field in 2025 (Chengdu). Around 4,000 athletes from more than 100 countries are expected at TWG 2029. The inclusion keeps lacrosse on a major multi-sport stage between the LA 2028 Olympics and any future Olympic bid.
The Fly, the world's first national Sixes lacrosse league, opens its sixth season on May 16-17 at Stockport Lacrosse Club in Greater Manchester, with Finals Weekend on May 30-31 at Blackheath Rugby Club in London. Four franchises (Swift, Rise, Hustle, Forge) compete in both men's and women's divisions in the Olympic format. The 2025 edition saw Forge sweep both titles, and over 1,100 fans attended across both weekends. Players from 10+ nations - including England, Scotland, Ireland, Wales, Germany, Italy, China, Australia, the U.S., and Canada - participate. The Fly provides a critical Sixes development pathway for British and European players targeting the 2027 European Sixes Championships and Olympic qualifying.
World Lacrosse announced a multi-year partnership with Jet Set Sports as its Official Ticket and Hospitality Provider through 2028. Jet Set Sports will design, sell, and deliver premium ticketing, on-site ground transportation, accommodations, and hospitality packages for World Lacrosse's global event portfolio, including the 2026 Women's Championship (Tokyo), 2027 Men's Championship (Japan), 2027 Sixes Championships (Olympic qualifier), and the 2028 Box Championships. Fans can register interest for 2026 Women's Championship packages through a dedicated Jet Set Sports page.
Lacrosse Australia confirmed its updated Men's and Women's Sixes squads for 2026, each comprising 30 athletes (18 National Squad + 12 National Development). The women's squad is coming off a standout 2025 - bronze at The World Games in Chengdu and silver at the Super Sixes in Oshawa. The men finished fourth at Super Sixes. Head of High Performance Ben Bishop said the squad structure reflects a clear focus on winning medals at LA28. As host of the Asia-Pacific Sixes Championships (Oct 5-10, Sunshine Coast), Australia will have home advantage in the Olympic qualifier. Key men's returnees include Hudson Robb, Tom Richards, and Dylan Harari; women's returnees include Ashtyn Hiron, Grace Fujinaga, and Georgia Latch.
The 2026 PLL season kicked off May 8 in Salt Lake City with an expanded regular season (2 additional games). The Utah Archers host the California Redwoods, and the defending champion Carolina Chaos face the New York Atlas in Week 1. All games stream on the ESPN App; 19 games air on ABC, ESPN, or ESPN2. The WLL season runs concurrently, with its Championship Aug 15 in Philadelphia. The PLL Championship is Sep 20 on ABC from Harrison, NJ. The PLL's continued investment in the Sixes format - including the Utah Sixes Classic youth tournament (May 8-9) - reinforces Sixes as the Olympic discipline.
World Lacrosse announced Gilman Gear as its Official Goal partner in a multi-year partnership running through 2028. Gilman lacrosse goals - known for their distinctive 'ping' sound when a ball strikes inside the net - will be exclusively used at all premier World Lacrosse championship events, including the 2026 Women's Championship (Tokyo), 2027 Men's Championship (Japan), 2027 Sixes Championships (Olympic qualifier), and 2028 Box Championships. The 97-year-old Connecticut-based company, founded in 1929, also supplies goals for the NCAA Men's and Women's Lacrosse Championships and is the sole supplier to the PLL. CEO Jim Scherr said the partnership provides consistency and reliability at the center of the sport as it accelerates toward the Olympics.
Sportstar published a comprehensive feature on India's lacrosse rise, revealing new details about the program's structure and ambitions. The Lacrosse Association of India (LAI) now has 26 state associations and has conducted 3 Senior National Championships and 2 Federation Cups. LAI struck a deal with Jalandhar-based manufacturer Anand and Anand to produce 5,000 sticks domestically, cutting costs from roughly ₹2,800-3,000 (Chinese imports) to approximately half. CEO Ashish Anand pledged: 'If India qualifies for the Olympics, they will have a made-in-India stick in their hands.' Captain Anudeep Reddy describes lacrosse as 'like playing hockey in air' - many Indian players transition from hockey, handball, and cricket, giving them transferable stick skills. Six players from the Bhil-Ghameti tribe in Dhar (Udaipur district) were part of the Riyadh double-gold teams. LAI is seeking recognition from India's Sports Ministry and the Indian Olympic Association, which would ease equipment imports and allow foreign coaches. India's participation in the Asia-Pacific Sixes Championships (Oct 5-10, Sunshine Coast, Australia) is confirmed - their debut in the Olympic qualifying pathway. Sources: Sportstar, May 3, 2026; Olympics.com, April 20, 2026.
Registration for the second LA28 Olympic ticket draw (Drop 2) is now open at tickets.la28.org. Drop 2 includes refreshed inventory across all Olympic sports, including lacrosse. The second ticket drop begins August 2026. Fans can register now to be entered into a draw for a timeslot to purchase tickets. World Lacrosse promoted the registration with athlete Chloe Humphrey. The first ticket draw registration closed March 18, 2026. Sources: LA28.org, World Lacrosse.
Malaysia's men's national lacrosse team won bronze at the Asian Lacrosse Games in Chengdu (April 21-25), defeating Saudi Arabia 15-10 - the country's first-ever Asian lacrosse medal. Captain Rashid Shukor called it a proud moment for the entire Malaysian lacrosse community. Head coach Michael Wilder said the result builds crucial momentum with LA28 on the horizon. Malaysia will compete next at the Asia-Pacific Sixes Lacrosse Championships (Oct 5-10, Sunshine Coast, Australia), the Olympic qualifier. Hong Kong China also participated, with both its men's and women's teams using the event as preparation for the AP Sixes Championships. The Chengdu games featured 8 teams across men's and women's divisions at Dujiangyan Phoenix Stadium. Sources: Bernama, Malay Mail, April 28, 2026.
The South China Morning Post featured Hong Kong's lacrosse teams as they face a crucial year on the path to Olympic qualification. Both men's and women's squads will compete at the Asia-Pacific Sixes Championships (Oct 5-10, Sunshine Coast, Australia). The Hong Kong women's team, captained by Steffi Sze, finished third at the EuroLax Sixes Cup in Portugal in February, defeating France and Switzerland in group stage and beating Poland for bronze. Hong Kong China Lacrosse Association CEO Raymond Fong Kong called 2026 'a crucial year' for Olympic qualification. Hong Kong's women are also entered in the World Lacrosse Women's Championship Division II in Wroclaw (July 11-18). Source: SCMP, March 7, 2026.
World Lacrosse reopened the host city bidding process for the 2027 Sixes Championships, the primary Olympic qualifier. The championships will now take place in the September-November 2027 timeframe, narrowing from the previous 'late 2027' estimate. The bid process reset gives cities another opportunity to host the inaugural world championship for Sixes - a global showcase less than a year before the LA 2028 Olympics. The host city will be announced once the bidding concludes. Source: World Lacrosse.
The Jamaica Olympic Association (JOA) is providing financial assistance to the Jamaica Lacrosse Association (JLA) for hosting the 2026 Pan-American Men's Championship (Aug 16-23) at The Mico University College and Stadium East in Kingston. It will be the first international lacrosse championship held in Jamaica and the Caribbean. Jamaica is ranked 8th globally and JLA President Calbert Hutchinson called the team a 'powerhouse in the Pan-American region,' noting they'll compete for only 3 allocated qualifying spots against the U.S., Canada, Haudenosaunee, and others. JOA President Christopher Samuda pledged continued support for Jamaican athletes' Olympic aspirations. Sources: Jamaica Observer, Jamaica Gleaner, May 1-2, 2026.
World Lacrosse announced the 42-game schedule for the inaugural Women's Championship Division II in Wroclaw, Poland (July 11-18). 12 teams split into two pools: Pool A (Latvia, Korea, Netherlands, New Zealand, South Africa, Spain) and Pool B (Italy, Hong Kong China, Mexico, Norway, Poland, Switzerland). All four Continental Federations are represented. Opening ceremony July 10; semifinals July 16; medal round July 18. Host Poland opens against Mexico on July 11. Early bird event passes €99 (through May 15). Source: World Lacrosse.
World Lacrosse selected officials for both the 2026 Women's Championship in Tokyo and the inaugural Division II in Wroclaw - 20 officials per event representing 10 nations and three Continental Federations. Officials were selected based on ratings and past performance in consultation with NGBs and Continental Federations. The crews include veteran officials and first-time championship debutants for Division II. Source: World Lacrosse.
LA28 and the Los Angeles City Council confirmed that lacrosse and flag football will be held at Exposition Park Stadium - the official Olympic name for the venue commercially known as BMO Stadium. The 22,000-seat soccer stadium (home of LAFC and Angel City FC) is adjacent to the LA Memorial Coliseum and near the USC campus. The IOC prohibits commercial naming during the Games, so the venue will be called Exposition Park Stadium throughout the Olympics. The stadium will be configured for the smaller field of play used by both sports. The Reuters report also indicated the men's flag football final is expected on July 28 and women's on July 29. Sources: LA28.org, Reuters, March 28, 2025.
World Lacrosse welcomed the United Arab Emirates and Tanzania as its 96th and 97th member nations. UAE joins the Asia-Pacific Lacrosse Union (now 23 members), while Tanzania joins the Africa Association of Lacrosse (now 16 members). The growth underscores lacrosse's global expansion ahead of the LA 2028 Olympics. Tanzania's addition strengthens the East Africa contingent (Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda), and the AAL will host its first continental championship in late 2026 as part of the Olympic qualification pathway. Source: World Lacrosse.
World Lacrosse announced PEARL as its Official Ball in a multi-year partnership with Guardian Sports running through 2029. PEARL balls will be used exclusively at all six premier World Lacrosse championship events over the quadrennial, including the 2026 Women's Championship (Tokyo), 2027 Men's Championship (Japan), 2027 Sixes Championships (Olympic qualifier), 2028 Box Championships, and 2029 U20 Championships. PEARL is already the Official Ball of the NCAA championships, PLL, WLL, and MCLA. Source: World Lacrosse.
Ticket sales launched for the Nissin Foods 2026 World Lacrosse Women's Championship in Tokyo (July 24-August 2). Event passes are available now with early bird pricing through June 30: ¥25,000 (~US$158) for the full 10-day, 44-game championship. Single-day passes go on sale June 1 (¥3,000/¥4,000, children ¥1,000). Semifinals at Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium (July 31), medal round August 2. 16 teams in 4 pools, all qualified through continental championships. Source: World Lacrosse.
For the first time ever, both Indian Men's and Women's Lacrosse teams will compete at the Asia-Pacific Sixes Lacrosse Championships (Oct 5-10, Sunshine Coast, Australia). India qualified after a stunning double-gold sweep at the Asian Lacrosse Games in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (Feb 2026) - the women won 22-5 over Pakistan, and the men defeated Iraq 9-2. This marks only the second international appearance for both teams. India faces a tough path: they must finish top 5 in the AP region to advance to the 2027 World Sixes Championships, then top 12 to stay eligible for the final Olympic qualifying tournament. Source: Olympics.com, SportsTiger, April 20, 2026.
Lacrosse Canada published its 2026-2028 Strategic Roadmap on April 20, 2026, outlining priorities as the sport builds toward the LA 2028 Olympics. The roadmap focuses on modernizing player pathways, coaching, and officiating; strengthening national events and competitive structures; advancing governance, transparency, and accountability; delivering measurable value to members; and building a sustainable national team model. President Matthew Shearer called it 'a commitment to action, accountability, and measurable progress.' Canada swept both golds at the 2025 Super Sixes and will host the Pan-American Sixes Championships in Oshawa (Sep 29-Oct 4). Source: Lacrosse Canada, April 20, 2026.
Olympics.com published a feature quoting top players on lacrosse's Olympic return. Charlotte North: 'All those younger girls in the crowd now have a bigger goal in mind.' Josh Byrne (Canada): 'This is something that I've been dreaming about since I was a little kid. The stakes just got even bigger.' Ashyn Hiron (Australia): 'I never saw a world where the Olympics were achievable. Now there's a road and a path.' Tom Schreiber (USA): 'It's an incredible step for the game.' Izzy Scane called Sixes 'super creative, really tight space, you get to see a lot of the most skilled players on display.' Tim Rider (Brazil) noted Brazil's speed and agility could thrive in the Sixes format. Source: Olympics.com.
The Carolina Chaos won the 2026 PLL Lexus Championship Series 24-16 over the previously undefeated California Redwoods on March 8 at The St. James in Springfield, VA. Shane Knobloch earned the Golden Stick Award with 30 tournament points. Austin Kaut set a PLL Sixes saves record (84 over 5 games). The Chaos started 0-2 before rallying for three straight wins. Source: PLL, March 9, 2026.
The New York Charging won the inaugural WLL Lexus Championship Series 18-11 over the top-seeded California Palms on March 8. Izzy Scane scored 6 goals and Madison Doucette made 16 saves (59.3% save percentage). Charlotte North won the Golden Stick Award with 22 tournament points. The WLL's first Championship Series proved the women's professional Sixes format delivers. Source: USA Lacrosse, March 8, 2026.
Canada swept both gold medals at the 2025 World Lacrosse Super Sixes in Oshawa, Ontario (Oct 10-12). Men: Canada 16-12 over USA; Haudenosaunee took bronze 14-13 over Australia. Women: Canada Red 14-12 over Australia; Canada White bronze 14-8 over Haudenosaunee. 10 men's and 8 women's teams competed from 3 continental federations. Canada's men remain the top-ranked Sixes program after winning The World Games 2022 and The Atlas Cup 2025. Source: World Lacrosse.
ESPN announced wall-to-wall coverage for the 2026 PLL and WLL seasons, with every game streaming on the ESPN App. 19 games will air on ABC, ESPN, or ESPN2. The PLL season opens May 8 in Salt Lake City. The WLL Championship is Aug 15 in Philadelphia; the PLL Championship is Sep 20 on ABC from Harrison, NJ. The 2026 PLL All-Star Weekend is July 5 in Annapolis. Source: ESPN Press Room, April 28, 2026.
The U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee formally certified USA Lacrosse as the National Governing Body for the sport - a milestone as lacrosse prepares to return to the Olympics. USA Lacrosse oversees 14 national teams across all disciplines and invests over $25 million annually into the sport. CEO Marc Riccio called it 'validation of USA Lacrosse's capability, credibility, and leadership.' Source: USOPC, April 15, 2026.
The IOC Executive Board approved the three-stage qualification system on February 1, 2026. Continental championships (Sep-Dec 2026) advance 16 teams per gender to the 2027 World Lacrosse Sixes Championships, where 5 Olympic spots per gender are awarded. A final qualifying tournament in early 2028 awards the last spot. Dates and locations now confirmed for all four continental championships: Pan-American (Oshawa, Sep 29-Oct 4), Asia-Pacific (Sunshine Coast, Oct 5-10), European (Salou, Nov 2-18), African (TBD, Dec). Source: World Lacrosse.
LA28 confirmed lacrosse will be contested July 24-29, 2028 at Exposition Park Stadium near Downtown LA. Five days of round-robin prelims (12pm-3pm and 7pm-10pm local), with bronze and gold medal games on July 29 (1:30pm-4pm and 8:30pm-11pm). Lacrosse concludes on the penultimate day of the Games. Source: LA28, England Lacrosse.
The Nissin Foods 2026 World Lacrosse Women's Championship pool draw is set: Pool A (U.S., Haudenosaunee, Ireland, Chinese Taipei), Pool B (Canada, Australia, Germany, Wales), Pool C (England, Argentina, Puerto Rico, Scotland), Pool D (Japan, Czechia, Israel, Philippines). Top two per pool advance to quarterfinals. Tokyo, July 24-Aug 2. Source: World Lacrosse.
Australia dominated the 2026 Asia-Pacific Men's Championship in Wellington, NZ (Jan 6-11), winning gold 13-3 over the Philippines. Japan took bronze (9-5 over New Zealand). It was Australia's first AP title since 2007. Top four qualified for 2027 World Men's Championship. Source: World Lacrosse.
Olympics.com featured Anudeep Reddy, a law student and former hockey player, who is leading India's national lacrosse team toward LA28. India's participation in the Asian Lacrosse Games was a key milestone. The story highlights lacrosse's global expansion to nearly 100 World Lacrosse member nations. Source: Olympics.com, April 20, 2026.
Lacrosse Sixes confirmed for LA 2028. 2026 World Sixes Championships announced as Olympic qualifying event. PLL adopted Sixes for 2026 Championship Series - format proven at pro level. Shot clock confirmed at 30 seconds (World Lacrosse Rule Book, Rule 1.5.2).
Next: After 2026 World Sixes Championships - qualifying results and team rosters.
🔔 Updated May 18, 2026. NCAA quarterfinals complete — Championship Weekend set: Princeton vs Duke, Syracuse vs Notre Dame (May 23, Charlottesville). PLL Week 2 results: all teams 1-1. WLL inaugural season opened. The Fly Season 6 opened in Stockport. Added PLL Week 2 scores, NCAA Sunday results (Princeton 14-10 over Penn State, Duke 16-6 over Georgetown). Bookmark this guide - we update after every major qualifying event through LA 2028.
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Shop the Skill StickLast updated: 2026-04-19 · v1.0