Sunshine Coast to Host 2026 Asia-Pacific Sixes Lacrosse Championships
Sunshine coast, Australia - The Asia-Pacific Lacrosse Union (APLU) and Lacrosse Australia have announced that the 2026 Asia-Pacific Sixes Lacrosse Championships will be held on the Sunshine Coast from October 5-10. The event will feature both men’s and women’s competition and will serve as a qualifier for the 2027 world Lacrosse Sixes Championships.
Crucially, the championships represent a key step in the qualification pathway for lacrosse’s potential inclusion in the Los angeles 2028 Olympic Games, pending final approval from the International Olympic Committee.
World Lacrosse CEO Jim Scherr highlighted the meaning of the proclamation,stating,”This sixes continental championship and qualifier marks an exciting new chapter for lacrosse as we begin the journey towards LA28. Hosting this event on the Sunshine Coast – a future venue for the Brisbane 2032 Games - demonstrates the growing momentum behind lacrosse’s Olympic aspirations and our commitment to long-term Olympic participation.” He further emphasized the event as a showcase of the sport’s speed, skill, and global expansion.
Lacrosse Australia Chair Abbie Burgess Brice echoed this sentiment, saying, “We are thrilled to host the Asia-Pacific Lacrosse Sixes World Qualifier in Queensland. This is a landmark moment for Australian lacrosse, providing a fantastic prospect to showcase our game nationally and inspire future generations. it will build vital momentum towards lacrosse’s return to the Olympics in Los Angeles 2028 and strengthen our ambition to compete at the Brisbane 2032 Games.”
The competition will take place at Sunshine Coast Stadium within the Kawana Sports Precinct, a venue recently used for the 2025 Asia-Pacific Women’s Lacrosse Championship in January.
The 2027 World Lacrosse Sixes Championships will include the top 16 men’s and women’s teams globally and will be the primary qualifying event for the LA28 Olympic Games. Continental allocations, determining the number of qualifying spots for teams at the Asia-pacific championships, are expected to be finalized by the end of the year.
World Lacrosse plans to release further details regarding the complete Olympic qualification process, including dates and locations of other continental championships and Olympic allocation specifics, in the coming months.
Asia-Pacific teams have already gained experiance in the sixes format, competing at The World Games in both 2022 and 2025, wiht Australia securing a bronze medal in the most recent event this summer.
