World Lacrosse and the Japan Lacrosse Association today announced that the 2026 World Lacrosse Women’s Championship will be held in the city of Tokyo.
The 2026 Women’s Championship will be held from July 24 to August 2. The Oi Stadium will be used for most games in the 16-team championship, and Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium for medal matches and the semifinal round.
WL CEO Jim Scherr said: “We are thrilled to officially announce Tokyo as the host city for our upcoming women’s championship. As a dynamic global city renowned for its world-class facilities, exceptional hospitality and vibrant cultural heritage, Tokyo provides the perfect setting to showcase the pinnacle of international lacrosse.
“Japan has long been a stronghold of lacrosse in Asia, with a passionate and growing lacrosse community that has made remarkable contributions to the global development of our sport. We look forward to working with the city of Tokyo and the Japan Lacrosse Association to deliver truly unforgettable events.”
JLA Chairman SASAKI Yusuke said: “This tournament, held at the Oi Hockey Stadium – part of the legacy of Tokyo 2020 – and the historic Prince Chichibu Memorial Rugby Stadium, will mark the 40th anniversary of lacrosse in Japan. It is a milestone for lacrosse, which in Japan, originated in Tokyo. Under the banner of ‘Lacrosse Makes Friends,’ we look forward to fostering international friendships that transcend borders and generations through the 2026 World Lacrosse Women’s Championship. We are delighted to deepen international friendship with lacrosse fans that will last for 50 or even 100 years to come.”
Tokyo has hosted many major international sports events, including the 2020 and 1964 Olympic Games, and was a host city of the Rugby World Cup in recent years. Tokyo is one of the world’s preeminent urban centers and boasts exceptional public infrastructure, including transportation and accommodations as well as world-famous sightseeing destinations.
Governor of Tokyo KOIKE Yuriko said: “I am thrilled to welcome the 2026 World Lacrosse Women’s Championship to Tokyo. This international competition will be held at the Oi Hockey Stadium, a legacy of the Olympic and Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020, with the participation of athletes from 16 countries and regions around the world. Lacrosse has been approved as an additional sport on the programme for the Olympic Games Los Angeles 2028. I highly anticipate that even more enthusiasm for this sport will be generated from Tokyo through this championship. Let’s continue to use the power of sports to bring vibrancy to Japan and the world.”
Japan hosted the WL Women’s Championship in 1997 in the Edogawa ward of Tokyo, and as the 12th edition of the event returns to Tokyo, it becomes the first city to host the event twice. Japan, the United States and England are the only multi-time hosts of the championship.
Japan was also awarded hosting rights for the 2027 World Lacrosse Men’s Championship, and the JLA is working toward hosting that event in Tokyo as well, with details to be announced once they are finalized.
Japan has one of the most successful programs at the international level, first appearing at a World Lacrosse championship in 1993 at the women’s championship. Japan now holds a top-five spot in the world rankings in men’s and women’s senior and junior field, highlighted by a first-ever bronze medal at a WL championship at the 2024 Women’s U20 Championship in Hong Kong, China.
The 2026 Women’s Championship will mark the first in WL’s new championship format, with 16 teams competing based on results from continental qualifiers. All 16 teams must earn their place in the championship at a qualifying event, with 11 spots already secured.
Seven teams from the European Lacrosse Federation earned qualification in July 2024, with three more teams from the Asia Pacific Lacrosse Union joining Japan as the host in the field at a qualifier last week in Australia.
The Pan-American Lacrosse Association will hold its qualifier in June in Florida and the Africa Association of Lacrosse will hold its qualifier in 2025.
