When Is the Lacrosse Season?

The main season is spring, but lacrosse never really stops. Here's when youth, high school, college and pro lacrosse are played, plus the big events and how weather can shake things up.

Connor Stifel · General Lacrosse · Updated October 22, 2026 · 7 min read

The quick answer

SpringFebruary to late May

High school and college lacrosse in the U.S. is a spring sport, wrapping up around Memorial Day.

All yearSummer, fall and winter too

Pro and club ball run in the summer, fall ball in the fall, and indoor box lacrosse in the winter.

Whether you're a fan or a player, you want to know when lacrosse season is so you don't miss any of the action. You're in the right place. In this article, I'll cover when the lacrosse season starts and ends, and how the youth, high school, college and pro seasons differ.

The good news? You can catch lacrosse all year long.

Lacrosse is called the fastest game on two feet, and it's played indoors and out. Whether it's a college game or a pro league, you can find lacrosse any time of year, but most of it happens in the spring.

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When is lacrosse season in North America?

In the U.S., lacrosse season owns the spring, running from about February or early March to the end of May. That three-month-or-so window covers most high school and college lacrosse, unless weather or something unexpected pushes games around.

Up in Canada, it's a little different. Box lacrosse is the national summer sport, so a lot of Canadian kids are in the rink from spring right through the summer.

Read more: Is lacrosse a spring sport?

How the season varies by league and level

Lacrosse season brings a ton of leagues and tournaments all over the world. The size of the league and the number of teams help decide how long the season runs. More teams and a bigger league usually means a longer season.

There are four main levels of lacrosse:

Read more: How to play lacrosse

Youth lacrosse

Youth lacrosse is local leagues with simpler rules for kids roughly 8 to 14, usually from early spring to early summer. It's all about building skills, teamwork and sportsmanship.

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High school lacrosse

High school lacrosse follows the standard high school rules and is played by teens about 14 to 18 who are sharpening their skills and learning the strategy they'll need for college.

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If you're a high school lax fanatic wondering how long the season is, the varsity season itself is in the spring in most states. But the game doesn't stop there. Players keep going with summer club teams, showcases and fall ball, so you can find high school players on the field just about all year.

College lacrosse

College lacrosse includes NCAA programs and club teams. It follows NCAA rules and features serious training and advanced tactics.

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For the most accurate dates, check your team's schedule and your conference's website, since every program sets its own.

Professional lacrosse

Pro lacrosse features the best players in the world, with fast-paced action and high-level strategy.

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People often ask, "Is lacrosse a fall sport?" Not mainly, but in a way, yes. You don't have to wait until spring to watch or play. Fall ball programs and off-season leagues are going full force every fall.

Read more: How long is a lacrosse game?

Professional lacrosse league seasons

Here's when the major pro leagues play, based on recent seasons. Dates shift a little every year, so check each league's schedule.

Premier Lacrosse League (PLL)

The PLL plays outdoor field lacrosse, usually from late May or June through its championship in September.

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National Lacrosse League (NLL)

The NLL plays box lacrosse, an intense indoor game, through the winter. The regular season typically starts in late November or December and runs into the spring, with the playoffs and finals wrapping up in May or June.

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United Women's Lacrosse League (UWLX)

The UWLX gave top women's players a pro stage in the summer, usually June and July. The league ran from 2016 to 2019.

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Athletes Unlimited Pro Lacrosse

Athletes Unlimited Pro Lacrosse showcases the best women's players and helps grow women's sports, usually playing in July and August. The league started in 2021.

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Women's Professional Lacrosse League (WPLL)

The WPLL was another well-known women's league, but it folded in 2020.

Key events during lacrosse season

These are the biggest events and games on the lacrosse calendar:

NCAA men's and women's lacrosse championships
Premier Lacrosse League (PLL) playoffs and championship
National Lacrosse League (NLL) Finals
High school state championships
Athletes Unlimited Pro Lacrosse championship
College rivalry games like Duke vs. North Carolina and Maryland vs. Johns Hopkins

Major League Lacrosse (MLL) used to be on this list too, but it merged into the PLL after the 2020 season.

Read more: Where did lacrosse originate?

Most successful lacrosse teams

Here are some of the most successful teams at different levels. They've been at the top of their competition year after year.

How weather and other factors affect the season

Your love for the game can carry you through a season, but the weather fights back. If you've ever played an early-March game in upstate New York, you know exactly what I mean.

Storms, heavy rain, snow and extreme heat can cancel or reschedule games. Bad weather also hurts how players perform, leaving fields slick or rock hard.

Bigger disruptions, like pandemics or natural disasters, can throw off the whole schedule too, leading to cancellations and travel restrictions. The 2020 spring season is the one nobody's going to forget.

Read more: Latest lacrosse heads compared

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Tips for players, coaches and fans during the season

Players

Take care of your nutrition, hydration and your body and mind. Keep training consistently to sharpen your stick skills, shooting and defensive technique.

Coaches

Keep your players motivated all season long. Give them honest, constructive feedback, and build a culture of trust, respect and teamwork.

Fans

It's all about the fans, right? Keep supporting your team win or lose, and appreciate the game. Celebrate the wins and stay loyal through the losses. A victory dance never hurt anybody.

The buzz around lacrosse season

Lacrosse season brings excitement and opportunities for fans, players and coaches alike.

Sarah, who has supported the Philadelphia Waterdogs for years, says:

"What makes lacrosse season special is the sense of community and excitement that fills the air. There's a shared passion and energy that brings everyone together."
Sarah, Philadelphia Waterdogs supporter

Players feel the buzz too, no matter the level. Emily, a high school player, says:

"Lacrosse season is special because it's a time when we come together as a team, pushing each other to be the best we can be. The bond we share both on and off the field is something truly unique and irreplaceable."
Emily, high school lacrosse player

Coach Smith, a college coach, says the season has a life of its own:

"The lacrosse season is a journey of growth, resilience, and mutual support. It's about instilling a love for the game in my players and watching them develop not only as athletes but as individuals."
Coach Smith, college lacrosse

Get season-ready

Coach's note: In upstate New York, our first practice was usually in a gym because the field was still under snow. In Virginia Beach, the kids are outside in February. Up in Ontario, the box guys are just getting going when the field season wraps up. Wherever you play, the players who show up ready on day one are the ones who did their wall ball all winter. Check your gear before the first whistle, not after.

First practice checklistStick, balls, gloves and cleats. All at BattleLax.