Asia Pacific firms as new “epicenter of lacrosse” as Korea & Japan awarded rights to next 3 World Championships
The Asia Pacific is set to become the centre of the World Lacrosse Universe until 2027 with World Lacrosse today announcing Korea and Japan as the hosts of the next 3 major World Championships, set to be held in 2025, 2026 and 2027.
With the Womens U20 World Championship slated for Hong Kong this August, World Lacrosse have announced the hosting rights to three upcoming world championships, with the 2025 Men’s U20 Championship officially awarded to Korea, and the 2026 Women’s Championship and 2027 Men’s Championship awarded to Japan.
Korea is set to become the first country from mainland Asia to host a Men’s U20 World Championship with the 8th edition of the event set to be held in Seoguipo on Jeju Island from July 18-27, 2025. Jeju Island is already an established lacrosse venue with Korea having previously hosted the 2017 Asia Pacific Lacrosse Championship in Seogwipo as well as the thrilling 2022 APLU Qualifier for the 2023 Men’s Championship.
All eyes will then turn to Japan with Japan set to host the 12th edition of the Women’s World Championship in 2026 after previously hosting the event in 1997. Japan will then host the Men’s World Championship for the first time with Japan no doubt eager to use home field advantage to improve on their 5th place finish in San Diego. It will mark the first time the Men’s and Women’s championships have been held in the same city in consecutive years, with World Lacrosse looking to take a “sustainable and equitable” approach to World Lacrosse events.
World Lacrosse CEO Jim Scherr said: “We are thrilled to award these championships to Korea and Japan, two of our model members that are both ready to stage world-class events in incredible cities. With our upcoming women’s U20 championship, we will have four championships in four years in Asia, which reflects how the game has grown at a breathtaking speed. I am excited for our global community to experience firsthand why the region is a new epicenter of lacrosse.”
With our upcoming women’s U20 championship, we will have four championships in four years in Asia, which reflects how the game has grown at a breathtaking speed. I am excited for our global community to experience firsthand why the region is a new epicenter of lacrosse - World Lacrosse CEO, Jim Scherr
Both Korea and Japan are mainstays on lacrosse within the Asia Pacific region with Japan becoming Australia’s perennial challenger in the Asia-Pacific region while Korea has forged a fine lacrosse tradition since joining World Lacrosse in 1995. Australia will now turn its mind to preparations for these events with the Men’s U20 program due to commence preparations shortly.
