Lacrosse, regarded as North America’s oldest team sport, is increasing in global popularity.
Various esteemed lacrosse tournaments cater to national teams, colleges, and professional leagues.
Here’s an overview of the most important lacrosse tournaments.
Most Important Lacrosse Tournaments:
- World Lacrosse Championships
- National Collegiate Athletic Association Lacrosse Championships (NCAA)
- Major League Lacrosse Championship Game
- NCAA Division I Men’s Lacrosse Championship
- NCAA Division I Women’s Lacrosse Championship
- Premier Lacrosse League Championship
- The Patriot Cup
- World Indoor Lacrosse Championship
- National Lacrosse League Cup
- United Women’s Lacrosse League Championship
- Tewaaraton Award
- College Lacrosse All Star Game
- International World Games (Lacrosse)
- Women’s Professional Lacrosse League Championship
- European Lacrosse Championships
- Under-19 World Lacrosse Championships
- Canadian University Field Lacrosse Association (CUFLA) Championship
- Canadian Senior Box Lacrosse Championship
- Major Series Lacrosse Championship (Canada)
- Australian Senior Lacrosse Championships
Table of Contents
- #1 World Lacrosse Championships
- #2 National Collegiate Athletic Association Lacrosse Championships (NCAA)
- #3 Major League Lacrosse Championship Game
- #4 NCAA Division I Men’s Lacrosse Championship
- #5 NCAA Division I Women’s Lacrosse Championship
- #6 Premier Lacrosse League Championship
- #7 The Patriot Cup
- #8 World Indoor Lacrosse Championship
- #9 National Lacrosse League Cup
- #10 United Women’s Lacrosse League Championship
- #11 Tewaaraton Award
- #12 College Lacrosse All-Star Game
- #13 International World Games (Lacrosse)
- #14 Women’s Professional Lacrosse League Championship
- #15 European Lacrosse Championships
- #16 Under-19 World Lacrosse Championships
- #17 Canadian University Field Lacrosse Association (CUFLA) Championship
- #18 Canadian Senior Box Lacrosse Championship
- #19 Major Series Lacrosse Championship (Canada)
- #20 Australian Senior Lacrosse Championships
- FAQ
#1 World Lacrosse Championships
- 📍 Location: Varies globally
- 📅 Established: 1967
- 🔄 Held: Every 4 years
- 👥 Teams: 60 national teams
The World Lacrosse Championships, governed by World Lacrosse, is the premier international field lacrosse event.
The United States holds a record 10 titles. The tournament highlights a blend of established lacrosse powers and emerging nations, demonstrating the growth of the sport globally.
#2 National Collegiate Athletic Association Lacrosse Championships (NCAA)
- 📍 Location: United States
- 📅 Established: 1971 (Men’s), 1982 (Women’s)
- 🔄 Held: Annually
- 👥 Teams: Varies by NCAA divisions
The NCAA Lacrosse Championships, organized by NCAA, showcase the best college lacrosse teams in the United States across different divisions.
The tournament provides a platform for the development of future professional players. Syracuse University’s men’s team holds the most titles, while Northwestern University’s women’s team dominates in their respective divisions.
#3 Major League Lacrosse Championship Game
- 📍 Location: United States
- 📅 Established: 2001
- 🔄 Held: Annually
- 👥 Teams: Top 2 regular-season teams
The Major League Lacrosse (MLL) Championship Game, conducted by MLL, crowns the best professional outdoor lacrosse team in the United States.
Featuring the league’s top two teams, the championship offers a thrilling display of high-level play. Denver Outlaws hold the most titles with 3 championships.
#4 NCAA Division I Men’s Lacrosse Championship
- 📍 Location: United States
- 📅 Established: 1971
- 🔄 Held: Annually
- 👥 Teams: 16 university teams
The NCAA Division I Men’s Lacrosse Championship is the ultimate goal for Division I men’s college lacrosse programs in the United States.
Syracuse University’s men’s team holds a record 10 championships, with schools like Johns Hopkins University also enjoying strong success in this prestigious competition.
#5 NCAA Division I Women’s Lacrosse Championship
- 📍 Location: United States
- 📅 Established: 1982
- 🔄 Held: Annually
- 👥 Teams: 26 university teams
The NCAA Division I Women’s Lacrosse Championship is the ultimate prize for Division I women’s college lacrosse programs across the United States.
Northwestern University’s women’s team has claimed the most titles with 9 championships, while the University of Maryland’s women’s team has consistently remained a dominant force in the competition.
#6 Premier Lacrosse League Championship
- 📍 Location: United States
- 📅 Established: 2019
- 🔄 Held: Annually
- 👥 Teams: Top 4 regular-season teams
The Premier Lacrosse League (PLL) Championship, organized by PLL, represents the culmination of the season for the professional field lacrosse league in the United States.
Featuring the league’s top four teams, the PLL Championship showcases high-caliber talent and intense competition. The Whipsnakes Lacrosse Club has won both of the first two championships since the league’s inception.
#7 The Patriot Cup
- 📍 Location: United States
- 📅 Established: 2009
- 🔄 Held: Annually
- 👥 Teams: Top collegiate and professional lacrosse teams
The Patriot Cup is an annual lacrosse event that combines collegiate and professional lacrosse games for a day of exciting matches. The event focuses on growing the sport and raising funds for veterans and their families through a partnership with the Wounded Warrior Project.
The competition features top men’s and women’s NCAA lacrosse programs, as well as Major League Lacrosse or Premier Lacrosse League games.
#8 World Indoor Lacrosse Championship
- 📍 Location: Varies globally
- 📅 Established: 2003
- 🔄 Held: Every 4 years
- 👥 Teams: 20 national teams
The World Indoor Lacrosse Championship, organized by World Lacrosse, showcases the best box lacrosse teams worldwide.
Canada holds a record six titles, having won every championship since its inception. The tournament features a mix of traditional indoor lacrosse powerhouses and emerging nations, further globalizing the sport.
#9 National Lacrosse League Cup
- 📍 Location: United States and Canada
- 📅 Established: 1987
- 🔄 Held: Annually
- 👥 Teams: Top 4 regular-season teams
The National Lacrosse League (NLL) Cup, governed by the NLL, is the top professional indoor lacrosse championship in North America.
Featuring the best teams from the regular-season standings, the competition is renowned for its highly skilled and fast-paced play. The Toronto Rock and the Saskatchewan Rush share the record with six titles each.
#10 United Women’s Lacrosse League Championship
- 📍 Location: United States
- 📅 Established: 2016
- 🔄 Held: Annually
- 👥 Teams: 4 club teams
The United Women’s Lacrosse League (UWLX) Championship, governed by the UWLX, highlights the top professional women’s field lacrosse talent in the United States.
With four competing teams, the UWLX Championship offers a platform for showcasing the best in women’s lacrosse, fostering growth and development of the sport. The Long Island Sound won the first two titles.
#11 Tewaaraton Award
- 📍 Location: United States
- 📅 Established: 2001
- 🔄 Held: Annually
The Tewaaraton Award, named after the Mohawk word for lacrosse, is presented annually to the most outstanding male and female college lacrosse players in the United States.
In partnership with the Tewaaraton Foundation, the distinction honors the sport’s Native American origins and recognizes exceptional performance on and off the field. Legendary players like Lyle Thompson and Trent Dilfer are among past recipients.
#12 College Lacrosse All-Star Game
- 📍 Location: United States
- 📅 Established: 1940
- 🔄 Held: Annually
The College Lacrosse All-Star Game is an annual showcase of the best college lacrosse players from across various divisions in the United States.
Top performers, selected by coaches and fans, come together for a spirited exhibition that celebrates the talent and passion in the sport. The All-Star Game has evolved over time, shifting from an East-West format to the more recent North-South rosters.
#13 International World Games (Lacrosse)
- 📍 Location: Varies globally
- 📅 Established: 2022 (Lacrosse debut)
- 🔄 Held: Every 4 years
Lacrosse will make its debut at the International World Games in 2022, becoming one of the featured sports in this multi-sport event for non-Olympic disciplines.
Governed by the International World Games Association, this milestone marks an opportunity to further expand lacrosse’s reach and introduce the sport to new audiences worldwide.
#14 Women’s Professional Lacrosse League Championship
- 📍 Location: United States
- 📅 Established: 2018
- 🔄 Held: Annually
- 👥 Teams: 2 club teams
The Women’s Professional Lacrosse League (WPLL) Championship, governed by WPLL, represents the culmination of the WPLL season and is dedicated to showcasing the finest women’s field lacrosse talents in the United States.
Featuring the top two teams from the WPLL regular season, the championship offers a spirited competition that is crucial to elevating the women’s game. In the inaugural championship, New England Command secured victory.
#15 European Lacrosse Championships
- 📍 Location: Varies across Europe
- 📅 Established: 1995
- 🔄 Held: Every 4 years
- 👥 Teams: 29 national teams
The European Lacrosse Championships, governed by the European Lacrosse Federation, hosts the best national lacrosse teams from European countries.
The tournament demonstrates the expansion of lacrosse beyond North America and highlights strong competition amongst European nations. England has historically been the dominant force, with 9 titles in the men’s championship and 6 in the women’s.
#16 Under-19 World Lacrosse Championships
- 📍 Location: Varies globally
- 📅 Established: 1988
- 🔄 Held: Every 4 years
- 👥 Teams: National teams, U-19 age group
The Under-19 World Lacrosse Championships, organized by World Lacrosse, showcase the best young lacrosse talent from around the world.
The tournament promotes the development of the sport and provides a platform for emerging players to display their skills. The United States has historically dominated both the men’s and women’s championships, claiming numerous titles in each category.
#17 Canadian University Field Lacrosse Association (CUFLA) Championship
- 📍 Location: Canada
- 📅 Established: 1985
- 🔄 Held: Annually
- 👥 Teams: Varies by CUFLA divisions
The CUFLA Championship, organized by the Canadian University Field Lacrosse Association, determines the top men’s college field lacrosse team in Canada.
Programs from across the country compete for the prestigious Baggataway Cup, fostering intense rivalries and top-tier competition. Western University holds the record for most championships, with a total of 14 titles.
#18 Canadian Senior Box Lacrosse Championship
- 📍 Location: Canada
- 📅 Established: 1910
- 🔄 Held: Annually
- 👥 Teams: Top senior club lacrosse teams
The Canadian Senior Box Lacrosse Championship, known as the Mann Cup, is a national competition that crowns the best senior box lacrosse team in Canada.
This prestigious event, sanctioned by the Canadian Lacrosse Association, showcases the high level of skills and talent of box lacrosse players in Canada. The Peterborough Lakers and the New Westminster Salmonbellies hold the most titles.
#19 Major Series Lacrosse Championship (Canada)
- 📍 Location: Canada
- 📅 Established: 1901
- 🔄 Held: Annually
- 👥 Teams: 6 club teams
The Major Series Lacrosse (MSL) Championship, governed by the MSL, features elite-level semi-professional box lacrosse clubs from across Ontario, Canada. The teams compete to win the championship, securing a berth into the Canadian Senior Box Lacrosse Championship.
The Brampton Excelsiors, Peterborough Lakers, and Six Nations Chiefs have been historically successful in this intense competition.
#20 Australian Senior Lacrosse Championships
- 📍 Location: Australia
- 📅 Established: 1962
- 🔄 Held: Annually
- 👥 Teams: State representative teams
The Australian Senior Lacrosse Championships, organized by the Australian Lacrosse Association, feature top-level lacrosse teams from Australian states and territories.
The event showcases the growth and development of lacrosse within Australia, promoting the sport across the country. The team from Victoria has historically dominated both the men’s and women’s competitions, claiming numerous titles.
Competing in major tournaments is a goal for many teams, and knowing common lacrosse injuries can help in preparing and preventing them.
FAQ
What is the most important lacrosse tournament?
The World Lacrosse Championships is the most important lacrosse tournament due to its global representation and scope.
What is the oldest lacrosse tournament?
The Canadian Senior Box Lacrosse Championship, established in 1910, is the oldest lacrosse tournament.
What is the hardest lacrosse tournament to win?
The World Lacrosse Championships is considered the hardest to win given the high-level competition from national teams worldwide.
