The 2026 PLL and WLL Championship Series is set to take place from February 27 to March 8, bringing together the top four teams from the Premier Lacrosse League’s 2025 season alongside four standout teams from the Women’s Lacrosse League. This competition will be held in the fast-paced Sixes format, the style slated for lacrosse’s return to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, which changes the dynamics significantly compared to traditional outdoor field and indoor box lacrosse.
Understanding the Sixes Format and Its Impact
The Sixes format features a 5-on-5 field setup with goaltenders, offering similarities to basketball and hockey, making it an accessible entry point for new lacrosse enthusiasts. ESPN analyst Quint Kessenich explained,
“The Sixes format offers a perfect on-ramp for new lacrosse fans because it’s very similar to basketball or hockey with a 5-on-5 format plus goaltenders. The flow of the game is similar to hoops. You’ll see pick-and-rolls, fast breaks and settled sets with two-point [lacrosse] shots instead of threes [in basketball]. The elimination of long poles and faceoffs boils the game down to an easy-to-consume, fast-paced, high-scoring event.”
The venue itself fosters an intense atmosphere, as noted by others involved,
“The venue is supercharged with energy, with close confines for fans. The intensity level is high each night. Don’t blink, because the action is nonstop.”
2025 Champions and Returning Teams to Watch
After last year’s results, the Boston Guard from the WLL enter the Championship Series as defending champions and will be aiming to repeat their success. Conversely, the PLL’s Boston Cannons, winners in 2025, failed to qualify this year, shifting the competitive landscape. The upcoming Tournament offers lacrosse fans a chance to follow the matches live on the ESPN App, as well as through PLL and WLL streaming platforms, ensuring full access to every game and behind-the-scenes coverage.
Players to Watch: Spotlight on Emerging and Dominant Talent
In the PLL, Carolina Chaos forward Jackson Eicher is a key figure. Kessenich remarked on Eicher’s potential:
“Carolina Chaos forward Jackson Eicher is a compelling player. I’m eager to see how his skill set and size translate into the Sixes format. Last summer, the rookie out of Army was extremely productive, and if he can get the ball on the right handed wing, he could put up monster numbers.”
Another standout is California’s Andrew McAdorey, who presents unique challenges due to his two-way play. ESPN broadcaster Anish Shroff noted,
“Good luck defending California’s Andrew McAdorey. He demands a pole — but there are no poles in sixes. McAdorey scored 13 unassisted goals last summer. That’s the most of any Championship Series participant. With two-way ability and a turbo-charged motor, McAdorey can dominate the Championship Series.”
Regarding the coveted PLL Golden Stick Award, Bryan Costabile remains a frontrunner. Shroff emphasized his achievements:
“It’s hard to pick against Bryan Costabile. He’s been lit by lightning in this format. Costabile has tallied 62 points in nine previous Champ Series games. He’s a threat from deep having connected on 13 two-pointers. He’s registered three double-digit scoring games in the Champ Series.”
Team Predictions and Key Competitors in the PLL
The Carolina Chaos are favored to claim the title this year, with Kessenich stating,
“The Chaos will win the event. I like the roster.”
Goaltending plays a significant role in Sixes, as highlighted by Shroff who praised Denver Outlaws‘ Logan McNaney:
“Goalies have an outsized hand in this format. Enter Denver’s Logan McNaney. All he does his play in championship games (four at Maryland, one with the Outlaws). His precision outlet passing becomes a weapon off saves and goals. While Denver won’t have many of its usual suspects on offense, they do have the brick wall from the glass town. He is by far the best goalie in this tournament. Colin Kirst and Sean Sconone have both shown that strong goalie play is necessary to win the Championship Series.”
Top Contenders in the WLL Championship Series
The WLL stars several notable athletes, led by California Palms’ Ally Mastroianni. Analyst Sheehan Stanwick Burch praised her all-around contributions:
“Ally Mastroianni does it all. The California Palms star runs the field, wins the gritty balls, scores when it matters, and locks down possession. Simply put — she’s the one you want with the game on the line.”
Maryland Charm’s Ally Kennedy also draws attention for her two-way versatility playing for Team USA internationally. Jay Alter commented,
“I’m excited to see Ally Kennedy, a two-way midfielder who has been a star on the international stage for Team USA now makes her WLL debut for the Maryland Charm. In the sixes format, a player as talented as Kennedy on both sides of the ball is a valuable asset.”
Front-Runners for the WLL Golden Stick Award
The race for the WLL Golden Stick is expected to be competitive. Despite the return of reigning champion Emily Hawryschuk of New York Charging, Charlotte North of the Boston Guard is a leading candidate, with Burch stating,
“Even with reigning champion Emily Hawryschuk returning for the New York Charging — and poised for another strong series — my gut says Boston Guard’s Charlotte North will claim the 2026 Golden Stick Award. The addition of the two-point line plays perfectly to her strengths. Her ability to finish in tight spaces and stretch defenses from the outside gives her the edge.”
Alter added,
“Izzy Scane. Such a versatile scorer and she was the runner-up in last year’s inaugural Golden Stick race. This year I think she claims the top spot.”
Team Outlooks in the WLL Battle
The Boston Guard, champions last season, are projected to contend strongly again. Burch conveyed cautious optimism about the competition,
“It’s hard to bet against the defending champion Boston Guard and their stacked roster, but I have a feeling the New York Charging are going to make this a battle. I really like their goaltending duo of Madison Doucette and Molly Laliberty — they can change the momentum of a game in an instant — and an offense led by Izzy Scane is never easy to contain.”
Alter also predicted a tough title defense:
“I like the Boston Guard to go back to back. They have the best player on the planet, Charlotte North, and a strong defense. Plus, they are the only team that returns their entire coaching staff. That continuity will give them a head-start and an edge!”
Championship Series Schedule Overview
All times listed are in Eastern time zone. The Series begins on Friday, February 27, with New York Charging facing Boston Guard in the WLL at 6 p.m., followed by New York Atlas and Denver Outlaws in the PLL at 8 p.m.
February 28 holds four games: California Palms versus Boston Guard at noon, Maryland Charm against New York Charging at 2 p.m., Denver Outlaws opposing California Redwoods at 6:30 p.m., and Carolina Chaos taking on New York Atlas at 8:30 p.m.
On Sunday, March 1, action continues with California Palms playing Maryland Charm at 10:30 a.m. and California Redwoods challenging Carolina Chaos at 12:30 p.m.
After a brief pause, matches resume Thursday, March 5, with Carolina Chaos versus Denver Outlaws at 6 p.m., followed by New York Charging and California Palms at 8 p.m.
Friday, March 6, features Boston Guard against Maryland Charm at 6 p.m., then New York Atlas versus California Redwoods at 8 p.m. The semifinals begin Saturday, March 7, with the WLL semifinals at 2 p.m. and the PLL semifinals at 6:30 p.m.
The Championship Series concludes Sunday, March 8, with the WLL championship at 11 a.m., followed by the PLL championship at 3 p.m.
Team Rosters and Notable Profiles
Boston Guard (WLL)
Madison Ahern, Andie Aldave, Dempsey Arsenault, Maddie Burns, Kasey Choma, Hannah Dorney, Kaylee Dyer, Rachel Hall, Charlotte North, Brittany Read, Courtney Taylor, Cassidy Weeks, Jackie Wolak.
Charlotte North leads this roster returning as the reigning Golden Stick third-place finisher with 15 goals last season, trailing only Emily Hawryschuk and Izzy Scane. Her dual pursuit of the title and individual honors draws wide interest.
California Palms (WLL)
Sammy Jo Adelsberger, Erin Bakes, Anna Brandt, Kait Devir, Sam Geiersbach, Ellie Masera, Ally Mastroianni, Taylor Moreno, Emily Nalls, Gabby Rosenzweig, Jill Smith, Caroline Steele, Caitlyn Wurzburger.
Taylor Moreno stands out for her athleticism across multiple sports including football, lacrosse, soccer, track, and basketball, as well as her black belt in Taekwondo. She designed the mural at the University of North Carolina, a noted tradition for UNC players.
Maryland Charm (WLL)
Sydni Black, Abby Bosco, Aurora Cordingley, Grace Griffin, Megan Douty, McKenzie Blake, Olivia Dirks, Ally Kennedy, Sam Swart, Ashley Humphrey, Kelly Denes, Paulina DiFatta, Caylee Waters.
This season marks the WLL debut for Ashley Humphrey, ranked No. 3 prospect on Sheehan Stanwick Burch’s 2025 big board. Humphrey set NCAA single-season assist records with 88 in 2022 and then 90 in 2025, highlighting her exceptional playmaking abilities.
New York Charging (WLL)
Meg Carney, Erin Coykendall, Madison Doucette, Lauren Gilbert, Kendall Halpern, Emily Hawryschuk, Molly Laliberty, Izzy Scane, Samantha Smith, Katie Goodale, Chase Boyle, Grace Fujinaga, Emerson Bohlig.
The introduction of the two-point line this season adds a new strategic dimension. During last year’s games, only 14 shots were taken from beyond the two-point range, with only Emily Hawryschuk and Meg Carney successfully scoring from that distance, both from the Charging roster.
California Redwoods (PLL)
Josh Balcarcel, Michael Boehm, Connor Cmiel, Aidan Danenza, Romar Dennis, BJ Farrare, Matt Knote, Andrew McAdorey, Chris Merle, Dylan Molloy, Carter Rice, Brian Tevlin, Zach Vigue.
Romar Dennis, a star performer from the 2023 Championship Series, returns to the lineup following injury challenges. He has recently confirmed to the PLL’s Phil Shore that he is regaining full health in time for this event.
Carolina Chaos (PLL)
Chris Aslanian, Cole Williams, Ray Dearth, Austin Kaut, Ross Scott, Mark Glicini, Jackson Eicher, Brendan Nichtern, Shane Knobloch, Sergio Perkovic, Charlie Bertrand, JC Higginbotham, Christian Scarpello.
Brendan Nichtern, the 2022 Rookie of the Year, is back competing after fulfilling military obligations. Jackson Eicher, also a West Point graduate, returns to join his former teammate, reinforcing Carolina’s potential.
Denver Outlaws (PLL)
Justin Anderson, Fulton Bayman, Graham Bundy Jr., Ryan Cohen, Zach Geddes, Dylan Gergar, Jack Gray, Lance Madonna, Owen McElroy, Logan McNaney, Ryan Tierney, Jack VanOverbeke, Greg Weyl.
Goalie Logan McNaney is crucial for Denver. He holds the PLL record for clean save percentage at 60.6% in 2025, excelling in limiting opponents’ chances and initiating offense through precise outlet passes, a deadly advantage on the smaller Sixes field.
New York Atlas (PLL)
Tyler Carpenter, Chet Comizio, Bryan Costabile, Chris Davis, Kyle Jackson, Myles Jones, Jack Koras, Max Krevsky, Eric Malever, Will Mark, Brian Phipps, Michael Rexrode, Matt Traynor.
Xander Dickson, sidelined due to a left leg injury sustained during last summer’s U.S. Bank Championship, transitions from player to assistant coach for the Atlas this season.
