Lacrosse continues to grow in prominence. In addition to being featured in the most recent World Games, it will make its Olympic debut in 2028 in Los Angeles. The six-a-side format, known as sixes, will be used. Sports Destination Management sat down with World Lacrosse, the international governing body, to learn more.
Sports Destination Management: Sixes lacrosse will be seen in LA28. Are you seeing youth growth in this format?
Christy Cahill: What we’re seeing is that sixes is becoming a really natural ‘on-ramp,’ especially for schools, community programs and new markets because it’s simpler to stage and easier to try. It’s also been a great bridge between traditional field lacrosse, box lacrosse and new participants. And with LA28 on the horizon, we expect that momentum to keep building.
SDM: What advantages does sixes provide for Olympic audiences?
Cahill: Sixes is built for the way people watch the Olympics: it’s fast, high-scoring and easy to understand quickly. The pace is constant, with quick transitions and fewer stoppages, so it’s very viewer-friendly for both in-venue fans and broadcast audiences. It also fits cleanly into an Olympic schedule because the format is compact, which helps both programming and storytelling.
SDM: What advantages does it provide for players?
Cahill: For athletes, sixes is an exciting blend of speed, skill, physicality and decision-making. With fewer players on the field, everyone is more involved – more touches, more transitions, more two-way play. It rewards athleticism and creativity while still being unmistakably lacrosse.
SDM: Are there advantages to sixes for tournament directors?
Cahill: Sixes can be easier to stage: smaller rosters, a streamlined game presentation and a format that’s efficient for scheduling. That can mean more games per day, reduced field-of-play requirements and a lower barrier to entry for both teams and event organizers. It’s a high-impact event format that can reduce complexity and cost without reducing quality.
SDM: Do you think there is greater awareness of lacrosse overall?
Cahill: Aided by the introduction of sixes, we are seeing increased awareness of the sport, especially globally. In some states, like Maryland, lacrosse has deep roots, but what’s changing quickly is the breadth of the sport worldwide. World Lacrosse now spans 95 member nations, which is a strong marker of the game’s globalization.
SDM: Are you seeing lacrosse being continued by adults after high school or college, such as in sport and social leagues?
Cahill: We’re definitely seeing more adults looking for ‘sport-for-life’ options – recreational leagues, social clubs and masters-style play – especially in cities where lacrosse communities are maturing. Sixes can be a great fit in that space with smaller roster needs, shorter games and simpler logistics that help adults fit it into their schedules.
SDM: Is World Lacrosse using any growth initiatives or beginner formats to swell participation?
Cahill: At the international level, World Lacrosse supports growth through development resources and targeted grant programs that help member nations build coaching, officiating, youth programming and participation. Many of our members have built introductory programming, much of which aligns with the sixes discipline, such as USA Lacrosse’s Flex6 program or Lacrosse Australia’s Quick Stix curriculum.
SDM: One discipline of tournament play, particularly in the summer, is beach lacrosse. Does World Lacrosse track that?
Cahill: Beach lacrosse is a fun and popular festival/tournament format in different parts of the world, and we love seeing that creativity in the lacrosse community. From a governance standpoint, World Lacrosse’s primary rules disciplines are field, box and sixes.
SDM: What are some challenges facing the sport?
Cahill: Like many sports, the big challenges are around access and sustainability: making it easier and more affordable for new communities to start; having enough trained coaches and officials; and ensuring safe, high-quality playing environments. Our approach is to keep lowering barriers by investing in development resources, supporting members with grants and building clearer pathways of competition so more nations can participate and progress.
The goal is simple: grow the game in a way that is inclusive, safe and sustainable, especially as we head toward LA28.
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