The Premier Lacrosse League (PLL) has announced the launch of the Women’s Lacrosse League (WLL), set to debut next year with four teams in as-yet-undisclosed cities. This marks a major step in creating more opportunities for female athletes to continue playing lacrosse at a professional level after college.

The Need for a Professional Women’s Lacrosse League

Currently, many of the top women’s lacrosse players graduate from college and face limited professional opportunities. While Athletes Unlimited provides a four-week lacrosse season, it isn’t a year-round option, leaving many athletes to pursue jobs outside of lacrosse. The launch of the WLL offers a crucial new platform for these athletes to pursue their sport full-time, with plans to host its first official season during the 2025 PLL Championship Series in February.

Charlotte North, a two-time winner of the prestigious Tewaaraton Award as the nation’s top college lacrosse player, is already committed to the league, along with fellow stars like Izzy Scane, Ally Mastroianni, and Lizzie Colson. North expressed excitement about the new league, stating, “We couldn’t be more excited to bring this game to the fans in new ways than ever before.”

A New Game Format: Sixes Lacrosse

The WLL will use the sixes format, a faster-paced version of the game introduced by World Lacrosse in 2018. In this format, teams of just six players face off on smaller fields, with a shortened shot clock and only quarterly draw controls to increase the game’s tempo. Both the men’s and women’s leagues will play sixes lacrosse at the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, marking the return of lacrosse to the Olympics for the first time in 80 years.

This shift to a faster format follows a wider trend in sports, with other events like rugby sevens and T20 cricket also introducing shorter, more dynamic versions to attract new fans.

Supporting Players’ Dual Careers

The new league’s timing is key, as it aims to avoid conflicting with the Athletes Unlimited season (held in July and August) and the PLL men’s season (June to September). This will allow players to participate in both leagues, providing more playing time and financial stability.

In the past, many top female lacrosse players have struggled with balancing their careers due to the lack of professional opportunities. College players often find themselves excelling in their sport, only to face a long off-season filled with work outside of lacrosse. Some, like North, have gone on to broadcasting roles, while others, such as former Northwestern player Lauren Gilbert, have moved into corporate jobs like those at Under Armour or Athleta.

The Future of Women’s Lacrosse

With its commitment to professional women’s lacrosse, the PLL is helping to bridge the gap between college and professional play. The WLL offers an exciting new opportunity for both current and future players, ensuring that the sport’s top talent has a viable, year-round career path. As more details about the league’s teams and schedule emerge, the lacrosse community will be watching closely as this new chapter begins to take shape.

For now, one thing is clear: the future of women’s lacrosse is looking brighter than ever.