Let’s level-set. We don’t have generations of lacrosse tradition engrained in our culture like they do in Maryland, Long Island, and Connecticut. And there are still plenty of people in Charlotte who have never even heard of the sport. But lacrosse is booming in Charlotte and there’s a strong case to be made that the Queen City is officially a lax town. Consider this:
- With the announcement of UNC Charlotte’s women’s program in 2022, Charlotte now has three D1 lax programs within city limits to cheer for. (Queens University’s Men’s and Women’s programs transitioned to D1 in 2022). If you include Davidson’s Women’s team, that’s four!
- Charlotte is the host city for both the ACC Men’s and Women’s Lacrosse Championships through 2028. The events brings top-level talent (and fans from all over) to Charlotte each year. We also host events like the Crown Lacrosse Classic, a women’s tournament featuring programs from University of Florida, James Madison, UNC Charlotte, and Davidson. (Note to the NCAA: Memorial Stadium sure seems like a great venue for hosting the NCAA Championship Weekend. Just sayin’.)
- Charlotte-area high schools boys’ and girls’ lacrosse teams regularly round out the statewide rankings, with Charlotte Catholic and Myers Park boys’ team each with a state championship and Charlotte Catholics girls’ with two state championships.
- Charlotte players can be found on the rosters of the nation’s top Men’s and Women’s DI and DIII programs, including Virginia, Georgetown, and Virginia Tech.
- We are home to the Carolina Chaos, one of the six founding members of the Professional Lacrosse League. The team took home the PLL Championship in 2021 and had its first “homecoming” at Memorial Stadium earlier this year. (Speaking of pros, don’t forget the Hounds. Or the Cobras!)
- We are starting ’em younger thanks to a growing number of youth leagues and club teams, including Team 91, North Carolina Recreational Lacrosse, South Park Youth Association Lacrosse, Little Sticks Lacrosse, and the Lake Norman Outlaws.
