World Lacrosse

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Recorded May 13, 2026

The Federation of International Lacrosse (FIL) rebranded as 'World Lacrosse' in May 2019 — a federation milestone signaling the organization's professionalization and Olympic-aspiration push. The rename preceded both the 2021 Sixes format creation and the 2023 IOC selection for the 2028 Olympics, reflecting the federation's strategy of repositioning lacrosse as a globally marketable Olympic sport rather than a traditional regional sport rooted in North America. Pre-rename events cite FIL; post-rename governance documents and rules use 'World Lacrosse'.

Recorded May 8, 2026

World Lacrosse created the Sixes format — 6 versus 6 (rather than the traditional 10v10), played on a smaller 70m × 36m field with a 30-second shot clock and 8-minute quarters — explicitly designed to make a viable Olympic case. The Sixes format halves roster size, shortens match length, and increases scoring frequency, all to fit the Olympic-program criteria for new sports. The format succeeded: it directly drove the 2023 IOC selection for inclusion in the 2028 Los Angeles Summer Olympics. Most consequential rule/format design in modern World Lacrosse history.

Recorded May 8, 2026

On October 16, 2023, lacrosse received IOC approval for inclusion in the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles — the first Olympic medal-event slot for lacrosse since the 1908 London Olympics. The selection specifically targets the World Lacrosse Sixes format (the 6-on-6 abbreviated variant created in 2021) over the traditional 10-on-10 men's field game, validating World Lacrosse's strategy of designing a faster, broadcast-friendly format expressly to satisfy Olympic-program criteria. Most consequential federation-driven milestone in the sport's modern era.

Recorded May 8, 2026