World Lacrosse

What World Lacrosse does

World Lacrosse, headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colorado, is the sole international governing body for lacrosse, recognized by the International Olympic Committee since 2021. Formed in 2008 through the merger of the International Federation of Women's Lacrosse Association (founded 1972) and the International Lacrosse Federation (founded 1974), the federation was originally named the Federation of International Lacrosse (FIL) and rebranded as World Lacrosse in 2019. It serves 97 national member federations across five continental regions (Asia-Pacific Lacrosse Union, European Lacrosse Federation, Pan-American Lacrosse Association, and Africa Association of Lacrosse), providing playing rules for field, box, Sixes, wheelchair, and mixed lacrosse; anti-doping program management delivered via the International Testing Agency under WADA standards; and a unified governance forum through its General Assembly and Board of Directors staffed by an 8-12 person professional team.

Its product portfolio comprises six quadrennial world championships (Men's Field, Women's Field, Men's U20, Women's U20, Box, and Sixes) — with Sixes established in 2018 as the chosen format for the 2028 LA Olympic Games — alongside the WL TV streaming platform, the Thinkific-powered Virtual Training Center for coach and official certification, and four grant programs supporting federation development, emerging members, BCH youth development, and instructional clinics. World Lacrosse generates revenue through multi-year sponsorship and licensing partnerships (Nike as official apparel/footwear through 2028, Jet Set Sports for ticketing/hospitality through 2028, Gilman Gear for goals, Hatteras for print/signage, plus merchandise partners such as Athlete's Performance), recurring membership subscriptions from 97 national federations, event ticketing and broadcast rights, and content monetization via WL TV. Distribution is event-driven, with continental federations coordinating regional qualification pathways and flagship events concentrated in the 2026-2028 Olympic lead-up, including the Nissin Foods 2026 Women's Championship in Tokyo and the 2027 Men's Championship in Japan.

Name

World Lacrosse

Legal name

World Lacrosse

Website

https://worldlacrosse.sport

Company type

Private

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

World Lacrosse is the IOC-recognized international governing body for lacrosse, headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colorado. It serves 97 national federations across five continents, governs playing rules, and will oversee lacrosse's return to the Olympic Games in 2028.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

International Sport Federation / Sport Governance

NAICS

Spectator Sports (71121), Sports and Recreation Instruction (611620)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997), Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)

akta.pro primary industry

International Sport Federations (IFs) (MPAKAFAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

Lacrosse Leagues (MPAKAAAO)

Keywords

• International sports federation
• Lacrosse governance
• World championships
• Olympic sport administration
• Athlete development programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Colorado Springs

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Sponsorship and Partnership Revenue: Multi-year partnerships with major brands including Nike (official footwear and apparel partner through 2028), Jet Set Sports (official ticket and hospitality provider), Gilman Gear (official goal supplier), Hatteras (official print and signage supplier), and others providing commercial revenue through co-branded products, event activation, and digital integration.
2. Event Revenue: Revenue from hosting world championships including ticketing, broadcast rights, and event operations. Six world championships are hosted on a quadrennial basis: men's field, women's field, men's U20 field, women's U20 field, box (men/women), and sixes (men/women).
3. Membership Fees: National federations pay membership subscriptions to be part of World Lacrosse. The organization has 97 member federations across four continental federations.
4. Broadcasting and Digital Content: WL TV streaming platform provides digital content from championships and events, generating viewership and potential broadcast revenue.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

World Lacrosse is the international governing body for lacrosse, providing global sport governance, hosting six quadrennial world championships (Men's Field, Women's Field, Men's U20, Women's U20, Box, and Sixes), and delivering athlete/coach/official development programs for its 97 national member federations across five continents. The organization drives Olympic-readiness through its Sixes discipline, the WL TV streaming platform, grant-funded development support, and delegated anti-doping management through the International Testing Agency.

Product overview

World Lacrosse is the international governing body for lacrosse, operating as a federation rather than a traditional product company. The organization provides a portfolio of championship events (six world championships on a quadrennial basis: Men's Field, Women's Field, Men's U20, Women's U20, Box Championships, and Sixes Championships), a streaming platform (WL TV), an educational platform (Virtual Training Center via Thinkific), and development services including grant programs and coaching/officiating resources. The portfolio centers on event management, athlete development, and sport governance rather than a unified software product.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• World Lacrosse Women's Championship Flagship quadrennial world championship for women's field lacrosse, featuring top national teams competing for the world title. Open to national federations and ticketing fans via Oi Stadium and Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium in Tokyo.
• World Lacrosse Men's Championship Flagship quadrennial world championship for men's field lacrosse, featuring top national teams competing for the world title.
• World Lacrosse U20 Championships Under-20 world championships for both men's and women's field lacrosse, developing the next generation of elite international players.
• World Lacrosse Box Championships World championships for box (indoor) lacrosse for both men and women, contested on a quadrennial basis.
• World Lacrosse Sixes Championships World championships for the Sixes discipline (6v6 compact lacrosse format) for both men and women, serving as the primary Olympic qualification pathway ahead of LA28.
• WL TV Streaming Platform Digital streaming platform operated by World Lacrosse that broadcasts live and on-demand championship content globally to fans and partners.
• Virtual Training Center Online learning platform powered by Thinkific offering courses for athletes, coaches, and officials to develop skills and obtain certifications in lacrosse, including the Competition Manipulation and Safeguarding courses.
• Grant Programs Four grant programs supporting member nations and emerging lacrosse countries: Continental/National Federation Development Grants, Emerging Member Support Grants, BCH Youth Development Grants, and Instructional Clinic Grants.

Quantifiable outcome

• Lacrosse participation grew from 45 to 90+ National Federations over two decades
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• HatterascoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 26 May 2026Partnership designates Hatteras as Official Print and Signage Supplier. Based in Tinton Falls, New Jersey, USA. Supports print and signage needs at championships and day-to-day printing and collateral needs. Includes digital integration across World Lacrosse's owned digital channels including WL TV.
• Gilman GearcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 May 2026Multi-year partnership through 2028 designating Gilman as Official Goal of World Lacrosse. Gilman Gear lacrosse goals exclusively used in competition across premier championship events including WL Women's Championship (Tokyo 2026), Men's Championship (Japan 2027), Sixes Championships (2027), and Box Championships (2028).
• Jet Set SportscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 9 April 2026Multi-year partnership designating Jet Set Sports as Official Ticket and Hospitality Provider through 2028. Jet Set Sports designs, sells, and delivers premium ticketing, ground transportation, accommodations, hospitality, and experience packages for World Lacrosse's global event portfolio.
• Nike LacrosseflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 July 2024Exclusive multi-year global partnership designating Nike as official footwear and apparel partner through 2028. Nike provides apparel and footwear at championship events and offers co-branded products for sale globally.
• Athlete's Performance (ATPS)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOfficial partner storefront for World Lacrosse merchandise and products.
• PearlminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner brand shown on World Lacrosse partners page.
• Premier Lacrosse League (PLL)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNike partnership covers PLL as official apparel partner for the league. PLL co-founder Paul Rabil stated partnership will accelerate growth and exposure for lacrosse athletes across North America. PLL features eight teams.
• Women's Lacrosse League (WLL)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNike partnership covers WLL as official apparel partner for the women's professional league. WLL features four teams.
• International Testing Agency (ITA)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerDelegates management of anti-doping program to the International Testing Agency. Implements WADA's anti-doping policies and procedures including the Code, five International Standards, and Whereabouts Information.
• World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorld Lacrosse is a full supporter of WADA and has adopted WADA's anti-doping policies and procedures for all events. Full support includes use of the WADA Code, five International Standards, and Whereabouts Information.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• International Handball Federation (IHF): IHF is the IF for handball, an Olympic sport with men's and women's World Championships on a biennial cycle. Comparable to World Lacrosse as a mid-sized IF running multi-discipline world championships and competing for IOC attention alongside emerging Olympic sports.
• International Hockey Federation (FIH): FIH is the international federation for field hockey. It is an IOC-recognized IF with a quadrennial World Cup cycle (men's and women's), national federation membership, Olympic participation, and a similar mission of governing rules, hosting championships, and developing the sport globally — directly comparable in structure and scope to World Lacrosse.
• World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC): WBSC is the IF for baseball and softball, also IOC-recognized and recently returned to the Olympics (Tokyo 2020). Similar to World Lacrosse in using the Olympics as a re-entry platform and in operating quadrennial world championships across multiple disciplines.
• Lacrosse Canada: Lacrosse Canada is the Canadian national federation for lacrosse, a fellow member of World Lacrosse. Comparable in running national-level championships, development programs, and serving as a key member federation feeding into World Lacrosse's international competition pipeline.
• USA Lacrosse: USA Lacrosse is the US national governing body for lacrosse and a member federation of World Lacrosse. Directly comparable as a national federation counterpart, running domestic championships, coaching certification, and development programs that parallel World Lacrosse's international offerings.

Broad incumbents

• World Rugby: World Rugby is the international federation for rugby union and sevens. Like World Lacrosse, it is an IF recognized by the IOC, operates a portfolio of world championships and Rugby World Cups on a multi-year cycle, and secured Olympic inclusion for sevens — making it the closest structural analog for a niche-sport IF leveraging Olympics for growth.
• International Cricket Council (ICC): The ICC is the global governing body for cricket, an IF managing a multi-format sport (Test, ODI, T20) with quadrennial World Cups and Olympic inclusion via T20. Comparable to World Lacrosse in governing a multi-discipline sport with a compact format (T20/Sixes) created to drive accessibility and Olympic relevance.
• International Skating Union (ISU): ISU is the IF for figure skating, speed skating, and ice hockey-adjacent disciplines, with quadrennial World Championships and Olympic Winter Games participation. Comparable as a multi-discipline IF with strong IOC ties, recurring championship cycles, and an emphasis on rules standardization across disciplines.

Regional players

• Premier Lacrosse League (PLL): PLL is the US-based men's professional lacrosse league with eight teams. While not an IF, it is the top professional lacrosse ecosystem in North America and a key partner of World Lacrosse via the Nike sponsorship — directly influencing elite player pipelines that feed national teams competing in World Lacrosse championships.
• National Lacrosse League (NLL): NLL is the North American professional box lacrosse league and the primary competitive ecosystem for the box discipline that World Lacrosse governs internationally. Comparable as the highest-level professional box lacrosse competition and a stakeholder in World Lacrosse's box championship strategy.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/worldlacrosse
• Facebookfacebook.com/worldlacrosse

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles19 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about World Lacrosse