The 2026 Asia-Pacific Men’s Lacrosse Championship opened with three games on Tuesday in Wellington, New Zealand, as Australia, Japan and the Philippines all posted statement wins.
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The championship serves as a qualifier for the 2027 World Lacrosse Men’s Championship in Japan with 16 teams. Four teams from the Asia-Pacific Lacrosse Union will be in the field, with Japan already automatically qualified.
Australia took hold of the spot in Pool A with a dominant 29-2 win over New Zealand, while Korea had a bye.
In Pool B, Japan posted a strong 20-5 showing against Hong Kong, China, while the Philippines closed the day with a 20-1 win over China
The pool winners will automatically qualify for the 2027 Men’s Championship, while the second and third place teams will face-off in crucial play-in games for the semifinal round. The fourth place team in Pool B will be eliminated from qualification.
Korea makes its debut in the event on Wednesday against the host New Zealand in an exciting contest in the second game of the day at 1 p.m. NZT (UTC+13). The third game between Hong Kong, China and the Philippines at 4 p.m. should also be a tight affair between two teams that performed among the top half of teams at the last Men’s Championship in 2023.
Live statistics throughout the event are available at worldlacrosse.sport/APMLC26 and streaming is available with an event pass on WL TV for $20 USD.
Australia
29
Top Performers
Lucas Koczwara: Eight goals
Jackson Stock: Eight face-off wins
Highlights
Japan
20
Top Performers
Koyama Daisuke: Four Goals
Komine Takuma: Four Goals
Okamoto Neo: Seven face-off wins
Highlights
China
1
Highlights
