The 2026 Asia Pacific Sixes Lacrosse Championships opened on 5 October at Sunshine Coast Stadium in Queensland, bringing together teams from across the region for an international tournament that forms part of the qualification pathway to the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
The six-day competition, running from 5 to 10 October, features 21 teams representing 11 delegations across the men’s and women’s competitions. Participating nations include India, Australia, China, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, the Philippines, Hong Kong, Chinese Taipei and Saudi Arabia, which is competing in the men’s event.
The championships mark an important stage in the development of Sixes lacrosse in the Asia-Pacific region. The fast-paced format is central to the sport’s Olympic pathway, with teams competing for opportunities to advance to the next stage of qualification.
According to World Lacrosse, the top five teams in both the men’s and women’s competitions will qualify for the 2027 World Lacrosse Sixes Championships in Colorado Springs, United States. That tournament will serve as a key qualification event for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
India is among the nations competing in both the men’s and women’s categories, representing the country on an international stage as the sport continues to build its presence across Asia and the Pacific.
Physiotherapist Dr. Mayank Saraswat has also arrived in Australia with the Indian team for the championships. He said the team was participating with enthusiasm and preparation, and shared insights into the players’ fitness and physical readiness for the competition.
The physical demands of Sixes lacrosse make conditioning and recovery important aspects of tournament preparation. With matches taking place across a compact six-day schedule, players must maintain fitness, agility and endurance while managing recovery between games.
The Sunshine Coast is hosting the competition at Sunshine Coast Stadium, with Lacrosse Australia organising the event on behalf of the Asia-Pacific Lacrosse Union and World Lacrosse. The tournament brings regional teams together while providing an opportunity to compete for progression towards the global championship and Olympic qualification stages.
For India, participation provides international competition experience for its men’s and women’s squads, while the team’s support staff play a role in preparing athletes for the physical demands of the event.
As the championships progress, results will determine which teams secure places at the 2027 World Lacrosse Sixes Championships. The tournament therefore represents not only a regional contest but also an important milestone on the road to the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
