The second edition of the Asian Lacrosse Games is set to mark a transformative chapter for lacrosse in the Asia-Pacific region.
With 14 national teams competing in the “sixes” format the very version confirmed for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics the tournament underscores both the growth of the sport and its Olympic ambitions. Saudi Arabia, host nation and defending men’s champions, will welcome the event from September 29 to October 6, 2025, a year after its historic victory in Uzbekistan at the inaugural edition. The Riyadh Games are more than a competition they are a statement of intent for lacrosse’s expansion across Asia.
Why the Sixes Format Matters
The choice of the sixes format is deliberate and strategic. Unlike traditional field lacrosse, sixes is faster-paced, played on a smaller pitch, and requires fewer players, making it easier for developing nations to adopt. Importantly, this is the format that will debut at the 2028 Olympics, meaning the Riyadh Games are effectively a testbed for Asian teams aiming to transition from beginners to potential Olympians. For newer federations like India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Saudi Arabia, the sixes format reduces resource barriers.
For established programs like China and Hong Kong, it offers a chance to fine-tune tactics in the Olympic format. The Asian Lacrosse Games, therefore, serve as both a developmental and strategic platform for the continent.
Men’s Division: Saudi Arabia Defend Their Crown
The men’s field comprises eight teams: Bangladesh, China, Hong Kong (China), India, Malaysia, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Singapore.
- Saudi Arabia: The defending champions shocked the region in 2024 by winning the inaugural title in Uzbekistan. Their rise has been meteoric only established in 2020, the Saudi Lacrosse Federation became a World Lacrosse associate member in 2021. With government support and hosting rights this year, they are positioned as both favourites and standard-bearers.
- China & Hong Kong: With deeper competitive histories, these programs bring valuable experience. China joined World Lacrosse in 2012, while Hong Kong has been a member since 1993, giving them established player pools and competitive maturity.
- India & Pakistan: Both are relative newcomers (India joined World Lacrosse in 2021; Pakistan in 2023). For them, Riyadh represents an opportunity to gain international exposure and accelerate program building.
- Bangladesh: The latest entrant, joining World Lacrosse in April 2025 as the 94th member. Their inclusion reflects the tournament’s developmental ethos. For Bangladesh, simply competing on this stage marks progress.
- Malaysia & Singapore: Not yet formal World Lacrosse members, but their participation strengthens Southeast Asia’s footprint in the sport.
The men’s division is expected to highlight a mix of seasoned programs and fresh challengers, making Saudi Arabia’s title defence anything but straightforward.
Women’s Division: Balanced and Development-Oriented
The women’s competition will see six teams: China, Hong Kong (China), India, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Singapore.
Unlike the men’s knockout format, the women’s division will follow a three-day round-robin, ensuring each team plays multiple matches. This structure maximises competitive exposure for emerging nations.
Notably absent are the Asia-Pacific heavyweights Japan and Australia who instead contested the 2025 Asia-Pacific Women’s Lacrosse Championship earlier this year. Their absence is intentional: the Asian Lacrosse Games are designed for developing nations to grow without facing the immediate challenge of established giants. For India, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia, this is a chance to gain much-needed international playing time. For China and Hong Kong, it is a platform to lead and mentor by example, while also testing strategies in the Olympic format.
Saudi Arabia’s role as host is more than symbolic. The Kingdom has rapidly positioned itself as a regional hub for emerging sports, in line with its national strategy to diversify its economy and expand its global sporting footprint. The Saudi Lacrosse Federation has integrated lacrosse into schools and development camps, creating a grassroots pipeline. Winning the 2024 edition validated their efforts. Hosting the 2025 Games strengthens their reputation as leaders of Asian lacrosse.
The event is also expected to align with “Riyadh Season”, the Kingdom’s flagship cultural and sporting festival, ensuring visibility and domestic engagement.
APLU’s Tiered Strategy: The Asia Pacific Lacrosse Union (APLU) has adopted a sophisticated, multi-tiered development strategy:
- Elite field lacrosse: Asia-Pacific Championships (e.g., Japan vs Australia at the 2025 Women’s Championship).
- Developmental sixes: Asian Lacrosse Games, designed for emerging nations and Olympic preparation.
- World qualifiers: Asia-Pacific Men’s Championship in New Zealand (2026) to determine World Championship entries.
This tiered approach allows both growth and excellence. By offering accessible tournaments like the Asian Lacrosse Games, the APLU ensures no nation is left behind in lacrosse’s Olympic journey.
For India, participation itself is a landmark. Joining World Lacrosse in 2021, India has only recently begun building structured programs. The Riyadh Games will be the first international experience for many Indian players, a chance to adapt to the pace, tactics, and physicality of sixes. While immediate success may be unlikely against more seasoned teams, India’s priority will be exposure, learning, and building continuity. With strong domestic enthusiasm and a growing player base, India’s presence at Riyadh is a step toward long-term competitiveness.
Challenges and Limitations
As with any emerging sport, there are challenges:
- Many teams, including India and Bangladesh, lack international-level facilities at home.
- Public-facing rosters are not yet available, reflecting early stages of federation development.
- For several nations, this will be their first taste of structured international lacrosse.
Yet, these limitations are precisely why the Asian Lacrosse Games matter. They are designed not for perfect competition, but for growth, participation, and the creation of a sustainable pathway to the Olympics.
The 2025 Asian Lacrosse Games in Riyadh will likely be remembered as a catalyst. They combine strategic vision, grassroots development, and Olympic preparation into one event. For Saudi Arabia, it is an assertion of leadership. For nations like India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, it is an introduction to the global stage. Most importantly, the Games reflect a wider truth: lacrosse in Asia is no longer an experiment. It is a sport with structure, ambition, and momentum anchored by the sixes format and fuelled by the dream of Olympic competition.
As the whistle blows in Riyadh on September 29, history will not just be repeated; it will be written anew.
