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With 2026 Decision Made, the IWLCA Applauds NCAA’s Selection of Future DI Women’s Lacrosse Championship Sites

By IWLCA Admin, 01/16/25, 1:00PM EST

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With 2026 Decision Made, the IWLCA Applauds NCAA’s Selection of Future DI Women’s Lacrosse Championship Sites
 

The NCAA has announced that Northwestern University’s newly renovated Martin Stadium has been selected to host the 2026 NCAA Division I Women’s Lacrosse Championship. This was chosen to replace Gillette Stadium who will be unable to host the previously scheduled men’s and women’s 2026 championships due to site selection for the FIFA World Cup. With the championship sites for 2025-2028 now confirmed at Gillette Stadium outside of Boston (‘25), Martin Stadium at Northwestern (’26), and Subaru Park Stadium outside of Philadelphia (’27- ‘28), it is clear the growth in popularity and investment in women’s lacrosse is happening.

“We appreciate Northwestern pursuing the 2026 championship when Gillette became unavailable,” noted Executive Director of the IWLCA, Liz Robertshaw. “The immense amount of work the NCAA Division I Women’s Lacrosse Committee has put into making great site selections these next four years can’t be overlooked. Our coaches have pushed to elevate the experience of the women’s lacrosse championship weekend, and thanks to the Committee taking that feedback, we are looking at a future of women’s lacrosse being played in amazing college and professional stadiums that will showcase the best our game has to offer.”

The 2026 semifinals and championship will be held over Memorial Day Weekend, May 22 and 24, respectively. This marks the first time the Division I women’s championship will be held in the Midwest, with Evanston becoming the 21st city to host the event since 1982 and the furthest west the championship has ever been held.

The choice of powerhouse stadiums reflects the sport’s growth and a strategic effort to provide athletes, teams, and fans with world-class facilities and an elevated championship experience. The record for the largest attendance at a women’s lacrosse championship weekend was set at Gillette Stadium in 2017 when 19,471 fans saw Boston College, Maryland, Navy, and Penn State compete in epic games, and crowning the Terps eventual NCAA Champions. With the 2025 championship heading back to Gillette, there is an intentional goal by all involved to surpass that attendance record.

“Be it in New England, Philadelphia, or now Chicago, the bar for all aspects of the Division I Women’s Lacrosse Championships needs to continue to rise, be met, and rise again,” commented Robertshaw. “We have everything in place to really elevate college women’s lacrosse: the teams, the stadiums, the growing fanbases, the increased exposure, and the support of the NCAA. Now is the time to take this sport to the next level.”

Upcoming Championship Sites:

  • 2025 — Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, MA
  • 2026 — Martin Stadium, Evanston, IL
  • 2027/2028 — Subaru Park, Philadelphia, PA

For more information about the upcoming championships, please visit NCAA.com.