Lacrosse, one of North America’s oldest team sports, is returning to the Olympic stage at the Los Angeles 2028 Games. With this inclusion, the sport joins other recently admitted disciplines such as cricket, flag football, squash, baseball, and softball, enriching the Olympic program. Lacrosse’s Olympic history dates back to the early 20th century, when it was an official sport at the St. Louis 1904 and London 1908 Games. Since then, it was featured as a demonstration sport in Amsterdam 1928, Los Angeles 1932, and London 1948, but its return as an official Olympic sport has remained on pause for over a century.
Though it is lesser-known in some countries, lacrosse has a strong fan base and rich tradition in nations such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, particularly within American college sports. This Olympic comeback not only represents an opportunity for lacrosse fans but also opens the door to global interest in the sport—a goal driven by the World Lacrosse Federation.
HISTORY AND RULES OF LACROSSE
Originating within the Native American communities of Canada, lacrosse was a ritual game involving hundreds of participants that could last for days. Over time, the sport became more structured when, in the 19th century, the French named it “la cross” (the stick), and in 1856, William George Beers adapted it into a more organized and less violent version. Today, lacrosse combines skill, endurance, and physical contact, with players using long sticks with triangular baskets to control and throw the ball into the opponent’s goal.
In the Olympic format, all field players use sticks between 100 and 110 cm, while goalkeepers use longer versions with a deeper pocket to aid in defending their goals. The ball is solid and is usually white or yellow. The rules are streamlined: teams consist of six players, without specific positions, and in case of a tie, a sudden-death overtime ensures an exciting conclusion to the match.
THE NEW FORMAT
To make the sport more appealing and accessible within the Olympic arena, World Lacrosse has introduced the “sixes” format. This version, blending aspects of field and indoor lacrosse, is faster and more dynamic, designed to capture the attention of casual viewers. In “sixes,” each team has six players (one goalkeeper and five field players) with no fixed positions, allowing all players to attack and defend together. This freer, more energetic structure aligns with the profile of sports recently added to the Olympic Games, favoring a faster pace and adaptability.
Additionally, the “sixes” format includes a 30-second shot clock, similar to that in basketball, keeping the game dynamic. The matches, divided into four eight-minute quarters, ensure an intense and high-speed show on a field measuring 70 meters in length and 36 meters in width, with a goal set in the center of a circular area—an arrangement that allows for a versatile and open style of play.
THERETURN OF A LEGENDARY SPORT
The reintroduction of lacrosse at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games not only pays homage to its North American roots but also connects audiences worldwide with this ancient and vibrant sport. The “sixes” format reinforces its dynamic and accessible nature, ideal for generating new followers and expanding lacrosse in countries where its presence is still emerging.
With this adapted version, lacrosse promises to be one of the most exciting events at Los Angeles 2028, offering audiences a unique experience of speed, contact, and sports tradition.