Road to LA28 — Lacrosse's Olympic Journey Begins

Lacrosse WA is thrilled to see the official qualification pathway confirmed for lacrosse's return to the Olympic Games at Los Angeles 2028, and we are already looking ahead to which Western Australian athletes could be part of this historic moment. With approval from the International Olympic Committee Executive Board earlier this year, the journey to LA28 will follow a three-stage qualification process, beginning with continental championships across Africa, Asia-Pacific, Europe, and the Pan-American region. The Asia-Pacific region will play a key role, with the continental qualifier set to take place in October 2026 on Queensland's Sunshine Coast. This event is expected to feature strong competition and presents a significant opportunity for Australian athletes — including our WA players — to showcase their talent on the international stage. From these continental events, teams will progress to the 2027 World Lacrosse Sixes Championships, where the top 16 men's and 16 women's teams will compete. With only six teams per gender ultimately qualifying for the Olympic Games, the pathway is highly competitive, and every match will count. At the World Championships, four teams in each of the men's and women's competitions will secure direct qualification for LA28. The United States will also qualify automatically as host nation, provided they compete in both earlier stages. The final remaining Olympic spot for each gender will be decided in early 2028 through a last-chance qualifying tournament. The Olympic lacrosse competition will take place from 24–29 July 2028 at Exposition Park Stadium in Los Angeles, marking an exciting return of the sport to the Games. For Lacrosse WA, this announcement brings a new level of excitement and anticipation. Over the next two years, we will be proudly following the progress of our Western Australian athletes as they push for selection and strive to represent Australia on the world's biggest stage. The road to LA28 has begun — and we cannot wait to see which of our own will be part of it.