Lacrosse, from ancient ritual to Olympic sport: the Women’s World Championship comes to Tokyo

Long before becoming an international sport, lacrosse was played for centuries by Native American communities in North America. It was often a ritual game, staged on vast fields with large teams, carrying spiritual and social meanings linked to warfare, celebration, or conflict resolution. The name “lacrosse” was coined by seventeenth-century French missionaries, who noted the resemblance between the curved stick used in the game and a bishop’s crozier. Over time, this ancient practice evolved into a modern, codified sport, spreading widely in the United States and Canada and gradually gaining ground in Europe and Asia. Fast-paced, physical yet regulated, and driven by the continuous movement of a small ball passed and caught with sticks, lacrosse is one of the most dynamic sports to watch. Its inclusion as an Olympic sport marks a significant milestone for a discipline that for a long time remained outside the global spotlight. From 24 July to 2 August 2026, Tokyo will host the World Lacrosse Women’s Championship, one of the leading events on the international calendar. The Japanese capital will welcome the world’s top teams in a tournament that highlights both elite competition and the rapid growth of women’s lacrosse, one of the most energetic and forward-looking sectors of the sport today. For Japan, the championship also represents a strategic opportunity to strengthen the sport’s presence in Asia and introduce new audiences to a discipline that is still relatively unknown but highly engaging. With lightning-fast passes, aerial plays and an intense rhythm that leaves little room for pause, the Tokyo championship promises to be not just a major sporting event, but an ideal gateway into a sport that blends ancient tradition with contemporary excitement.