More than 20 national lacrosse teams will try to get a step closer to Olympic qualification at a key event on the Sunshine Coast.
Men’s and women’s representative sides will compete in the Asia-Pacific Sixes Lacrosse Championships at Sunshine Coast Stadium.
The tournament, hosted by Lacrosse Australia on behalf of the Asia-Pacific Lacrosse Union and World Lacrosse, will be held from October 5-10.
Australia, New Zealand, Japan, India, Korea, China, Singapore, the Philippines, Hong Kong, China and Chinese Taipei will compete in the men’s and women’s events, while Saudi Arabia will contest the men’s competition.
The tournament marks an important first step on the teams’ Olympic qualification pathway.
The top five teams in the competitions will secure places at the 2027 World Lacrosse Sixes Championships, which will serve as the primary qualifying event for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
Lacrosse Australia chief executive officer Anna Carroll looked forward to the action.
“Hosting the 2026 Asia-Pacific Sixes Championships on home soil is a major milestone for Australian lacrosse and an important step on the pathway to the Olympic Games Los Angeles 2028,” she said.
“This is a significant opportunity to grow the profile of lacrosse in Australia, inspire the next generation and show the wider sporting community what makes our game so special.”
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Sixes is a faster, shorter version of field lacrosse featuring six players per team, a smaller field, four eight-minute quarters and a 30-second shot clock.
Lacrosse returns as a medal sport to the Olympic Games at Los Angeles 2028 after more than a century, with the new Sixes format selected for its Olympic debut.
Australian Olympic Committee chief executive officer Mark Arbib said hosting the regional championship on the Sunshine Coast would help prepare athletes for LA28 and give fans the chance to see world class competition in their backyard.
“The opportunity to compete at an Olympic Games is the most powerful motivator for our athletes, and this announcement means for many of them, the journey to LA will start in front of a home crowd,” he said.
“Lacrosse’s return to the Olympic programme will introduce this exciting sport to a new generation of fans, we wish our athletes every success on the Sunshine Coast and their journey to the Olympic Games.”
Sunshine Coast Stadium hosted the Asia-Pacific Women’s Lacrosse Championship early last year.
Sunshine Coast councillor Joe Natoli said the Sunshine Coast had become a home for international lacrosse.
“Through Council’s Major Events Sponsorship Program, we’re proud to support events that showcase our region to a global audience while delivering valuable economic and community benefits,” he said.
“As a co-host of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, we are building our experience and reputation as a place capable of delivering outstanding sporting events.”
“With Sunshine Coast Stadium at the Kawana Sports Precinct providing a world-class stage, fans can look forward to an outstanding week of competition featuring the best men’s and women’s lacrosse talent from across the Asia-Pacific region.”
“We encourage residents and visitors alike to secure their tickets and be part of what promises to be another memorable international sporting event on the Sunshine Coast this October.”
Community participation will also be central to the championships through Lacrosse Australia’s Stick to Stadium initiative, connecting Sunshine Coast schools with lacrosse.
The initiative will give students the opportunity to take part in practical activities and clinics, connect with the Olympic Movement through the Australian Olympic Committee’s Olympics Unleashed program, and watch the world’s best lacrosse athletes compete.
“Stick to Stadium is a wonderful introduction to lacrosse and provides schools with resources and support to incorporate lacrosse into their physical education programs,” Ms Carroll said.
The championships will also provide local spectators with an opportunity to experience one of the world’s fastest-growing sports firsthand.
“Sixes is one of the fastest and most dynamic sports in the world. The games are short, the action is continuous, there is always the possibility of another goal,” she said.
“Whether you’re a lifelong lacrosse supporter or discovering the sport for the first time, we encourage everyone to come along and experience the excitement live.
“We also hope these championships inspire more Australians to pick up a stick, follow our national teams and support our ambition to see lacrosse remain part of the Olympic movement beyond Los Angeles.”
Tickets to the 2026 Asia-Pacific Sixes Lacrosse Championships are on sale through events.lacrosse.com.au
