Algarve will host Europe’s first-ever International Lacrosse Sixes competition in February

The European Lacrosse Sixes Cup in Portugal 2022

The European Lacrosse Sixes Cup will be hosted at the Vila Real de Santo António Sports Complex (February 25-27), the first-ever European-based international Sixes event

Over the years, the Algarve has become a popular destination for high-calibre sporting events and activities. In addition to hosting the Portugal Masters and countless others golfing competitions, the region has welcomed Formula 1 and MotoGP races, along with tennis tournaments and equestrian events. This February, the region is opening its doors to a lesser-known sport in Portugal, Lacrosse.

Organised by the European Lacrosse Federation and Portugal Lacrosse, with the support of World Lacrosse, the European Lacrosse Sixes Cup is the first European-based international event featuring World Lacrosse Sixes – which is a shorter, faster, and non-stop version of the game.

The competition will feature 18 men’s and women’s national teams, and for the first time in history, there will be a Portuguese team competing.

Pedro Machado, from Portugal Lacrosse, added: “It’s an honour for our country to host the European Lacrosse Sixes Cup, and for Portugal to compete among the best European teams. The Portuguese are proud to be regarded as an amazingly warm and welcoming people and will make everyone feel truly at home. The Vila Real de Santo António region – which is internationally known for its high-calibre sporting infrastructures, golden sandy beaches, and year-round sunny climate – will provide a fantastic backdrop for this historic event.”

The European Lacrosse Sixes Cup will feature a mix of established and emerging national teams, as part of the World Lacrosse Sixes’ aim to allow more countries to compete on an international level. The confirmed men’s teams will include Portugal, Belgium, England, Ukraine, Germany and Switzerland, and England U23, Great Britain, Germany, Belgium, Ukraine, Spain, Italy are confirmed for the women’s teams.

“World Lacrosse Sixes is intended to open the game to more countries around the world, making it universally accessible whilst maintaining a high level of competitiveness,” said Jim Scherr, World Lacrosse CEO. “Just months after the launch of this new discipline, the European Lacrosse Sixes Cup will already showcase the power of Sixes – not only by bringing an international tournament to a new region, but in allowing the participation of emerging countries. With 73 national lacrosse federations and counting, Sixes creates a more levelled and inclusive playing field for our rapidly expanding membership base.”

The matches will be broadcasted live on World Lacrosse’s YouTube channel.

Follow World Lacrosse on Facebook for updated details on the event.