When Does Lacrosse Season Start?
Lacrosse is a spring sport at every level. High school plays from March through June. College starts in February. Club and youth programs vary but peak in the spring. Here's a full breakdown of when each lacrosse season starts, when tryouts happen, and how to get your team ready.
Lacrosse is growing faster than almost any other team sport in the United States. If you're a parent signing your kid up for the first time, or a coach building a new program, the first question is usually the same: when does lacrosse season start?
The short answer: lacrosse is a spring sport. High school lacrosse runs from March through May or June. College lacrosse starts in February and runs through late May. Club and youth programs vary, but most follow a similar spring schedule with additional fall leagues.
Below, we break down the exact timing for every level, when tryouts happen, and how to make sure your team has custom lacrosse jerseys ready before the first face-off. Check out the lacrosse TV schedule to watch some games and get pumped for the season.
High School Lacrosse
Spring is game time. Here's when the action starts.
Season: March to May/June
High school lacrosse is a spring sport in the vast majority of states. Official practices begin in late February or early March, depending on your state's athletic association start date. In northern states where weather is a factor, teams may practice indoors or on turf fields for the first few weeks. In warmer states, outdoor practices start right away.
The first regular season games are typically in mid-March. The season runs 12 to 16 weeks, with teams playing 2 to 3 games per week. Most games are weeknight affairs, with occasional Saturday tournaments. Conference playoffs and state championship tournaments happen in late May or early June.
Boys vs. Girls Lacrosse
Both boys and girls lacrosse run in the spring on the same timeline. The sports play by different rules, though. Boys lacrosse is a full-contact sport requiring helmets, gloves, shoulder pads, and arm pads. Girls lacrosse has limited contact and requires only goggles and a mouthguard (no helmets, though that's changing in some states). Understanding the lacrosse positions is important for both versions of the game.
Tryouts: Late February to Early March
High school lacrosse tryouts happen at the start of the official practice period, usually the last week of February or first week of March. Tryouts run 2 to 5 days. Coaches evaluate stick skills, athleticism, field awareness, and coachability. For newer programs in non-traditional lacrosse areas, some teams carry everyone who shows up. In established lacrosse hotbeds on the East Coast, making varsity can be extremely competitive.
State Championships: Late May to Early June
State lacrosse championships are held in late May or early June. The playoff format varies by state, but most use a bracket or regional qualifier system. In lacrosse-heavy states like Maryland, New York, Virginia, and New Jersey, the state tournament is a major event. Newer lacrosse states are building their tournament structures as the sport grows.
College Lacrosse
February to May competitive season. Fall ball for development.
Season: February to May
College lacrosse at the NCAA level starts earlier than high school. The regular season kicks off in mid-February with non-conference games and runs through late April. Conference tournaments are in early May, followed by the NCAA tournament throughout May. The NCAA Division I Men's and Women's Lacrosse Championships are held on Memorial Day weekend.
College lacrosse has seen explosive growth, especially in women's programs. New Division I programs are being added regularly, and the sport has expanded well beyond its traditional East Coast base. Check the lacrosse TV schedule to catch college games on ESPN, ESPN+, and other networks.
Fall Ball: September to November
Fall ball is an informal but important part of the college lacrosse calendar. Teams practice and hold scrimmages from September through November, though they can't play official games. Fall ball is when coaches evaluate incoming freshmen, experiment with lineups, and develop team chemistry. Many programs also play fall scrimmages against nearby colleges.
Recruiting Timeline
College lacrosse recruiting has gotten earlier, especially for men's Division I programs. Many coaches start evaluating players during their freshman and sophomore years of high school through club tournaments, showcases, and prospect days. The key recruiting windows are summer showcase events (June to August) and fall club tournaments. Women's recruiting follows a similar timeline. Film is increasingly important, and having a highlight video is expected by most programs.
Professional Lacrosse
PLL and NLL bring year-round lacrosse at the highest level.
PLL (Premier Lacrosse League): June to September
The PLL is the top professional outdoor lacrosse league. The season runs from June through September, with games broadcast on ESPN and NBC. The PLL uses a tour-based model, visiting different cities across the country each weekend. It features the best players in the world and plays by rules similar to college men's lacrosse.
NLL (National Lacrosse League): December to June
The NLL is the professional box lacrosse league. Box lacrosse is played indoors on a hockey rink-sized floor, with 5 runners and a goalie per side. The NLL season runs from December through June, making it a great winter and spring option for fans. Games are fast-paced, high-scoring, and available on ESPN+. Box lacrosse skills translate well to the outdoor game, and many elite players play in both leagues.
Youth and Club Lacrosse
Multiple seasons for development and competition.
Spring Season: March to June
Most youth rec lacrosse programs run in the spring, mirroring the high school season. Programs are typically organized by age group (U8, U10, U12, U14) and run 8 to 12 weeks with one practice and one game per week. Spring youth leagues are a great entry point for kids trying lacrosse for the first time. Registration usually opens in January or February.
Fall Club: September to November
Fall club lacrosse is where more competitive youth players develop. Club teams practice 2 to 3 times per week and compete in weekend tournaments from September through November. Fall ball is also important for club players who want to be seen by high school or college coaches. Tryouts for fall club teams are usually in August.
Summer Tournaments and Camps: June to August
Summer is packed with lacrosse activity. Tournament weekends happen from June through August, and overnight and day camps run by colleges and clubs are available throughout the summer. For players with college aspirations, summer showcase events are critical for exposure. Many recruiting commitments happen based on summer performance.
Pre-Season Prep Checklist
What to do before lacrosse season starts.
Get the right equipment
Boys need a helmet, shoulder pads, arm pads, gloves, a stick, and a mouthguard. Girls need goggles, a mouthguard, and a stick. Cleats are required for everyone. For youth players, look for age-appropriate equipment from brands like STX, Maverik, and Warrior. Equipment quality matters for safety, so don't skimp on helmets.
Order uniforms early
Custom lacrosse uniforms need 4 to 6 weeks for production. For spring seasons starting in March, order by late January. Secondslide makes custom lacrosse jerseys with no minimums and fast turnaround. Youth lacrosse uniforms are available too.
Work on stick skills
Wall ball is the single best thing a lacrosse player can do to improve. Spend 15 to 20 minutes a day throwing against a wall to develop your catch, throw, and cradle. Use both hands. Players who can use both hands effectively have a massive advantage at every level.
Start conditioning
Lacrosse requires running. A lot of it. Midfielders can cover 5 to 7 miles per game. Start running, doing sprints, and building cardio at least 3 to 4 weeks before tryouts or the first practice. Agility work, including ladder drills and cone drills, helps with the footwork needed for dodging and defense.
Learn the positions
Understanding lacrosse positions will help you prepare for the specific demands of your role. Attack, midfield, defense, and goalie each require different skills and fitness levels. Knowing what your position does before tryouts gives you a head start.
Lacrosse Gear from Secondslide
Ready to outfit your team? Check out our custom gear.
Lacrosse Uniforms
Custom lacrosse uniforms for high school, club, and youth teams. Sublimated jerseys and shorts.
Custom Lacrosse Jerseys
Design your own lacrosse jerseys with custom colors, logos, and player numbers.
Lacrosse Positions
Learn all the lacrosse positions, their roles, and responsibilities on the field.
Lacrosse TV Schedule
Live lacrosse games on TV this week. NCAA, PLL, and NLL schedules.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does high school lacrosse season start?
High school lacrosse is a spring sport in most states. Practice typically begins in late February or early March, with the first games in mid-March. The regular season runs through May, and state championships are held in late May or early June. Some states in the South and West have slightly different timelines, but spring is the standard lacrosse season nationwide.
When does college lacrosse season start?
College lacrosse season starts in February. The regular season runs from mid-February through late April. Conference tournaments are in early May, and the NCAA tournament takes place throughout May with the championship weekend in late May. Fall ball, an unofficial practice and scrimmage period, runs from September through November.
Is lacrosse a spring or fall sport?
Lacrosse is primarily a spring sport at both the high school and college levels. The competitive season runs from February or March through May or June. However, many club programs run fall leagues and tournaments, and fall ball is an important development period for college programs. Box lacrosse, which is played indoors, runs in the winter. So while spring is the main season, lacrosse opportunities exist nearly year-round.
When are lacrosse club tryouts?
Club lacrosse tryouts vary by region but most happen in August or September for the fall season and January for the spring season. Some clubs hold tryouts as early as June for the following year. Club lacrosse is separate from school programs and runs during different parts of the year, so many players do both. Club fees range from $500 to $3,000 depending on the level of play and travel involved.
When should I order lacrosse uniforms?
Order lacrosse uniforms 4 to 6 weeks before your first game. For high school teams starting in March, place orders by late January or early February. For club teams with fall seasons starting in September, order in July. Secondslide offers fast turnaround on custom lacrosse jerseys with no minimum orders, so even late orders can be accommodated.
Get Your Lacrosse Team Ready for the Season
Custom lacrosse jerseys, shorts, and full team packages. No minimums, fast turnaround, and designs your players will love.