World Lacrosse today announced the schedule for the 2024 World Lacrosse Box Championships, set for September 20-29 in Utica, New York, with 133 games set to take place across the historic double world championship.
The event will feature 28 teams in the men’s competition split into seven pools and 10 teams in the first-ever women’s box championship grouped into two pools.
Competition will take place at two venues; the Utica University Nexus Center will serve as the main tournament hub, featuring three playing surfaces, and the Adirondack Bank Center will also host a full slate of games, including the opening night and medal matches. The two venues are connected via skyway.
The event will commence September 20 with eight games at the two venues – Germany will face Ireland in the opening game of the men’s competition, while Canada will take on Finland in the opener of the women’s tournament.
The United States makes its debut in the women’s box championship against the Netherlands later on opening day, followed by the USA men taking on the Haudenosaunee in a blockbuster matchup, as both teams have medaled in every edition of the men’s box championship.
Canada – the defending champion in the men’s competition – will make its debut on Saturday, September 21 against England.
The top four seeded men’s teams make up the A pool: Canada, the Haudenosaunee, the United States and England. The remaining teams were split into pools B-G, which include the remaining top-10 teams from the last men’s box championship in 2019 and 11 first-time participants.
The top four ranked countries in women’s field lacrosse – the United States, Canada, Australia and England – are all participating in the women’s box championship, as well as No. 8 Haudenosaunee.
In the men’s competition, pool play will take place over a five-day period. The top eight finishers will advance directly to the playoffs, while the teams ranked ninth through 16th will compete in a play-in round to determine the remaining four positions. The first round of playoffs will take place September 25.
Meanwhile, the women’s competition will include pool play between the 10 teams. The top three finishers in each of the two pools will advance to the playoffs, while the teams finishing fourth and fifth in each pool will face off in a play-in round for the remaining two spots.
The quarterfinals, semifinals and medal rounds for both championships will take place in parallel September 26-29. The bronze medal doubleheader is slated for Saturday, September 28, with the gold medal doubleheader on Sunday, September 29.
The full schedule can be found here and is depicted below. Tickets will go on sale to the public in April.
