The 2028 Los Angeles Olympics will mark a historic moment – the official return of lacrosse after a 120-year absence. But this isn’t your great-grandfather’s lacrosse. The Games will feature Lacrosse Sixes, a faster, more intense version of the sport designed for Olympic competition.
From Ancient Tradition to Modern Sport
Lacrosse isn’t just another game – it’s North America’s oldest organized sport, with roots dating back to Indigenous tribes in the 15th century.
– Origins: Created by the Huron and Iroquois peoples near the St. Lawrence River
– Early Games: Massive events with hundreds (sometimes thousands!) of players on fields stretching miles
– Cultural Significance: Used as warrior training, earning the Cherokee name “the little brother of war”due to its intense physicality
How Lacrosse Went Olympic (Then Disappeared)
The sport’s Olympic journey has been a rollercoaster:
– 1904 (St. Louis): First Olympic appearance – Canada wins gold
– 1908 (London): Last official Olympic contest – Canada beats England
– 1928-1948: Returns as demonstration sport, then vanishes again
Why Sixes? The Future of Lacrosse
The 2028 version will look very different:
Lacrosse Sixes Fast Facts
✔ 6 players per side (instead of 12)
✔ Lightning-fast 30-second shot clock
✔ 8-minute quarters with non-stop action
✔ Whole game wraps in 45 minutes
✔ No specialists – every player does it all
Designed in 2018 to grow the sport globally, Sixes removes barriers like expensive equipment and large team sizes. Its debut at The World Games 2022 proved it’s ready for the big stage.
Where the Magic Happens: BMO Stadium
The $350 million, 22,000-seat BMO Stadium will host all lacrosse events. Fun fact: It’s the most expensive soccer-specific stadium ever built in the U.S. and shares the neighborhood with the historic LA Coliseum.
Team USA’s Olympic Dreams
Current stars are already preparing:
– Tom Schreiber(PLL MVP): “2028 might bring a whole new generation of players, but we’re laying the foundation now.”
– Dempsey Arsenault(National Team): “My great-grandfather ran in the 1928 Olympics. Now I might compete where he did.”
The road to LA starts with the 2026 World Lacrosse Sixes Championships, which will determine Olympic qualifiers.
Why This Matters
This isn’t just another sport joining the Olympics – it’s the revival of a cultural treasure with modern flair. Whether you’re a lifelong fan or new to lacrosse, 2028 will be a celebration of history meeting innovation.
Will you be watching when lacrosse makes its grand Olympic return?
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