Women’s lacrosse has long been known as the “fastest game on two feet.” First time viewers are often struck by the distance and speed players pour into the game. It’s an action packed game that blends skill, speed, agility, and stamina.

Despite the exciting nature of the game for players and fans, as recently as the early 2000s, women's lacrosse remained largely confined to the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. For many, it was a niche sport with a devoted but regionally limited following. Fast forward to today, and women's lacrosse is experiencing remarkable growth at nearly every level—collegiate, professional and grassroots.

What are the driving forces behind this evolution? How will the sport be impacted by new developments like Athletes Unlimited, lacrosse becoming an Olympic sport in 2028, and the launch of the Women's Lacrosse League (WLL). Let’s dive into what the future may hold for this beautiful game.

Explosive Collegiate Growth

In 2005, there were approximately 260 NCAA women's lacrosse programs across Divisions I, II, and III. As of 2024, that number has nearly doubled, climbing to over 500. This number is continuing to rise as well, major athletic departments like Florida State University are launching new programs starting in 2026. Notably, programs are emerging well beyond the sport's traditional footprint:

• University of Southern California (USC) launched its program in 2013.‍
• Arizona State University followed in 2018.‍
• University of Colorado and University of Oregon now host competitive DI teams.
• The University of Florida played its inaugural women’s lacrosse season in 2010 and made it all the way to this year’s Final Four - the third Final Four appearance in the young program’s history.

Ashley Karn is a former attacker for the VCU women’s lacrosse team. She now serves as a graduate assistant for the program. As a player and coach, she has experienced the evolution of the game first hand.

“Lacrosse has changed a lot since I first started playing around 16 years ago,” said Karn. “Not only have the rules of the game changed tremendously, but there are more and more people picking up lacrosse sticks. From when I started, to now, there have been so many new developments, whether that is stick brands, travel teams, or even the new professional leagues.”

What's driving this growth?

1. Recruiting Potential: Lacrosse attracts academically strong student-athletes, aligning with many institutions' admissions goals. Having a program can be the difference maker in attracting and retaining students who can help enrich the overall campus experience.
2. Growing Popularity: Increased visibility on ESPN+ and conference networks has helped programs garner more fan interest. It’s easier than ever for people to be exposed to the sport. Simply pick up the remote and say “women’s lacrosse” and countless options are available on-demand for viewing.
3. Title IX Compliance: Adding women's lacrosse programs can also be a strategic move to help balance gender equity in athletics.

The Professional Shift: What the WLL Means

In 2021, Athletes Unlimited (AU) launched an innovative professional women’s lacrosse league. While launching new professional sports leagues is general an extremely challenging endeavor, AU has seen consistent year over year growth in pretty much every category – attendance, viewership, social media engagement, and revenue.

AU has successfully proven there is demand and significant long term potential for women’s lacrosse as a professional sport in the U.S.

In 2024, the Premier Lacrosse League (PLL) followed suit, announcing the launch of the Women's Lacrosse League (WLL). This move brings another professional women's lacrosse league under the same umbrella as the PLL, which is widely regarded for its innovative media partnerships and fan-first experiences.

Why this matters:

• Professional Visibility: Women’s athletes now have a clear post-collegiate pathway to compete professionally.
• Media Exposure: WLL games are expected to appear on major networks and streaming services.
• Inspiration: Visibility at the pro level inspires youth players to continue pursuing the sport.

While AU was the first mover in the space, the WLL is another step toward elevating the sport much like the WNBA has done for women's basketball. The WLL has already experienced significant traction off the heels off the star power of its marquee player Charlotte North.

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Grassroots & High School Expansion

While the college and professional levels provide aspirational pathways and drive overall exposure and interest, the most significant driver of long-term success for the sport is youth participation. And here too, the numbers tell a compelling story:

• According to USA Lacrosse, girls' high school lacrosse has grown by over 40% in participation from 2012 to 2022.
• States, like Texas, California, Georgia, and Florida have seen double-digit growth.
• USA Lacrosse's "First Stick Program" and "Try Lax Clinics" are lowering the entry barrier in underserved areas.

At the grassroots level, we’re seeing a generation of parents who had some exposure to the sport growing up. This is helping to drive ongoing support of club and town teams, better coaching infrastructure, and overall parent advocacy for the sport. All of these factors have turned women's lacrosse into one of the fastest-growing high school sports in America.

Where Is Women's Lacrosse Headed?

Given its trajectory, it appears the growth of the game is not going to slow any time soon.

“I think lacrosse will continue to grow at a fast rate,” says Karn. “With the addition of lacrosse in the Olympics already, there is no limit to where the game is going next. My bold prediction is that there will be a lacrosse pro league similar to the NWSL where each team has their own stadiums around the country and fan bases there to cheer them on.”

The picture painted by Karn is not far-fetched, and we’re quickly approaching a point where it will be hard to believe that such a professional league does not operate in that sort of capacity.

In the context of the broader sports spectrum, women’s lacrosse is still in its infancy. It’s barely starting to receive the investment and attention it deserves. This reinforces that the potential in this space is immense.

So, where will women’s lacrosse be in the next 20 years? Here are five predictions for the future:

1. Globalization: With lacrosse set to return to the Olympics in 2028 (in a limited format), women's lacrosse could see a full representation by 2032. This would help drive growth beyond the USA. Plus, ongoing efforts from World Lacrosse are already helping to grow programs in the UK, Australia, and Japan. Women’s lacrosse is on a path to become truly global.
2. Major NCAA Conference Expansion: Power Five schools without teams today (e.g., Alabama, Michigan State) will add women's lacrosse by 2035. Alongside this, as the stakes increase, we expect the top programs will all invest in state-of-the-art facilities and performance tech.
3. Scholarship Equity: As the category grows, so will competition for elite talent. We expect this will result in an increase in both full-ride athletic scholarship offerings and NIL opportunities for the players.
4. Pro Salaries and Endorsements: Brands have finally caught on that women’s sports is a powerful category to maintain a presence. This is resulting in major brands having women’s sports specific strategies built into their marketing plans. As such, we expect the amount of sponsorship and endorsement dollars to increase significantly within the women’s lacrosse category.
5. Grassroots Explosion: High school, club, town, and recreational programs growth will mirror the top-line growth of the sport. We expect athlete and parent interest in the sport to continue to grow driving the foundational level of participation in the sport.

Final Thoughts

Women's lacrosse has arrived—and it’s not slowing down. What started as a regional pastime is now a national movement and a growing part of the professional sports landscape. As schools, sponsors, and leagues continue to invest, the next two decades promise to be transformational. Whether you're a longtime fan or new to the sport, now is the time to pay attention.

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