LA 2028 Lacrosse Overview

LA 2028 lacrosse marks the return of North America’s oldest team sport to the Olympic Games for the first time as a medal event since London 1908 — a 120-year gap. It is played in the Sixes format, a fast, six-a-side version developed specifically to suit the Olympic stage, at BMO Stadium in Exposition Park, Downtown Los Angeles.

Both the men’s and women’s tournaments feature six teams. Sixes is a deliberately accelerated version of the traditional field game: smaller rosters, a smaller field, a shot clock, and shorter periods produce a high-scoring, television-friendly spectacle. The United States and Canada — the sport’s historic powers — are expected to lead the field, alongside the Haudenosaunee Nationals, whose people originated the game and whose participation carries deep cultural significance.

Format & Sessions

Lacrosse Sixes is played six-a-side on a field smaller than the traditional game, with a shot clock and four short periods. The format keeps play fast and continuous, producing frequent scoring. Both the men’s and women’s tournaments run a group stage into knockout medal matches.

LA 2028 Lacrosse Venue: BMO Stadium, Exposition Park

Lacrosse at the 2028 Summer Games is held at BMO Stadium in Exposition Park, Downtown Los Angeles. Opened in 2018 as the home of MLS side Los Angeles FC, BMO Stadium is a modern 22,000-seat venue that also hosts flag football during the 2028 Games. It sits within the Exposition Park cluster next to the LA Memorial Coliseum. For official Games information see the official LA28 organizing committee, and for the sport’s governing body see World Lacrosse.

The Exposition Park Cluster

BMO Stadium anchors part of the Exposition Park cluster alongside the LA Memorial Coliseum, which hosts athletics. Because lacrosse and flag football share the venue, and other major events run nearby in Downtown LA, groups can base themselves centrally and combine several sports across the Games without long transfers. The area is roughly 20 minutes from LAX by car.

Lacrosse at the Olympics: History

Lacrosse was a full Olympic medal sport at the 1904 St. Louis and 1908 London Games, with Canada winning gold on both occasions. It then disappeared from the medal program, appearing only as a demonstration sport at the 1928, 1932, and 1948 Games. Its return at LA 2028 ends the longest absence of any returning 2028 sport as a medal event — 120 years.

Lacrosse originated among Indigenous peoples of North America, particularly the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy, for whom the game holds deep cultural and spiritual significance. The confirmation that the Haudenosaunee Nationals would be able to compete at LA 2028 was a landmark development, recognizing the origins of the sport at the Games for the first time. The United States and Canada have been the dominant international powers in the modern era.

Leading Nations Entering 2028

The United States and Canada are the traditional powers and are expected to contend for gold in both the men’s and women’s tournaments. The Haudenosaunee Nationals are historically among the strongest men’s teams in the world. Australia, England, and a growing group of nations across Europe and Asia have developed competitive programs, and the six-team format means qualification will be tightly contested.

What to Expect at LA 2028

LA 2028 lacrosse carries both a historic return narrative and a strong domestic appeal. The sport has a large and growing participation base across the United States, particularly on the East Coast, and a home Games offers its community a first chance to see Olympic lacrosse in over a century.

The Field

The United States and Canada are the benchmark programs in both the men’s and women’s games and are expected to be the gold medal favorites. The Haudenosaunee Nationals’ participation adds a team of genuine contenders with unmatched cultural connection to the sport. With only six teams per tournament, the qualifying process — being finalized by the international federation — will be demanding.

US Interest

Lacrosse is one of the fastest-growing team sports in the United States, and the US national teams are consistently among the best in the world. A home Games gives the American lacrosse community — players, colleges, and clubs — a landmark event, and the medal games are expected to draw strong crowds to BMO Stadium.

Frequently Asked Questions

Other Sports at LA 2028

Lacrosse is one of five new sports on the 2028 program. Individual sport guides for LA 2028 are listed below.