GITNUXREPORT 2025

Lacrosse Statistics

Lacrosse rapidly grows in popularity with over 1.3 million players nationwide.

Jannik Lindner

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Key Statistics

Statistic 1

The National Lacrosse League (NLL) has over 150,000 fans attending games annually.

Statistic 2

The NCAA Lacrosse Championship attracts over 50,000 spectators annually.

Statistic 3

The Premier Lacrosse League has over 7 million social media followers combined.

Statistic 4

The sport of lacrosse generates over $1 billion annually in revenue in the U.S., including equipment, apparel, and ticket sales.

Statistic 5

The average cost of equipment for a beginner lacrosse player is around $150.

Statistic 6

Approximately 85% of lacrosse equipment sales occur during the months of March through June.

Statistic 7

There are over 1 million followers on the official Facebook page of the Premier Lacrosse League.

Statistic 8

The USA Lacrosse Convention attracts over 10,000 attendees annually.

Statistic 9

The earliest lacrosse sticks were made of wood and controlled by Native American tribes for centuries before European colonization.

Statistic 10

The average salary of a professional male lacrosse player is approximately $15,000 per season.

Statistic 11

The fastest recorded shot in men's lacrosse is 118 mph.

Statistic 12

The average age of a league player in the Premier Lacrosse League (PLL) is 27 years old.

Statistic 13

The average attendance at PLL games ranges between 7,000 and 10,000 spectators.

Statistic 14

The average number of goals scored per game in NCAA men’s lacrosse is around 16.

Statistic 15

The official lacrosse ball weighs between 140-150 grams.

Statistic 16

The longest recorded lacrosse stick is 6 feet 7 inches.

Statistic 17

Major League Lacrosse (MLL) was founded in 1999 and discontinued in 2020, merging with the PLL.

Statistic 18

The fastest shot in women’s lacrosse recorded is approximately 62 mph.

Statistic 19

The Premier Lacrosse League has a championship game broadcast on national television, attracting over 1 million viewers.

Statistic 20

The longest lacrosse match on record lasted over 5 hours.

Statistic 21

Fast break situations in lacrosse account for nearly 25% of goals scored.

Statistic 22

The average speed of a typical men's lacrosse shot is around 85 mph.

Statistic 23

In 2022, the NCAA men's lacrosse tournament had a television rating of over 1.5 million viewers.

Statistic 24

The average number of assists per game in NCAA men's lacrosse is approximately 9.

Statistic 25

The University of Maryland has won the most NCAA men’s lacrosse championships, with 7 titles.

Statistic 26

The fastest shot in NCAA men's lacrosse recorded is 118 mph.

Statistic 27

Lacrosse is one of the fastest-growing sports in the United States, with participation increasing by over 23% from 2015 to 2019.

Statistic 28

There are approximately 1.3 million lacrosse players in the United States as of 2023.

Statistic 29

Youth lacrosse participation in the U.S. has grown by 150% since 2010.

Statistic 30

The first lacrosse game was played by Native Americans over 1,000 years ago.

Statistic 31

The NCAA introduced a shot clock for men’s lacrosse in 2019, set at 80 seconds.

Statistic 32

The first documented men’s lacrosse game was played in 1867 in Montreal, Canada.

Statistic 33

The sport of lacrosse is played in over 50 countries worldwide.

Statistic 34

The number of registered lacrosse clubs in the U.S. exceeds 700.

Statistic 35

The sport of lacrosse was designated as the fastest game on two feet by the Guinness World Records.

Statistic 36

The first lacrosse helmets were introduced in the early 1970s for safety reasons.

Statistic 37

The sport of lacrosse has been included in the Pan American Games.

Statistic 38

The total number of lacrosse referees in the U.S. is approximately 10,000.

Statistic 39

Over 80% of lacrosse players participate in organized leagues.

Statistic 40

The sport's global growth is fueled significantly by popularity in countries like Canada, England, and Australia.

Statistic 41

The first indoor lacrosse game was played in 1974.

Statistic 42

Women’s lacrosse has seen a 40% increase in high school participation since 2010.

Statistic 43

Approximately 70% of lacrosse players are male.

Statistic 44

Women’s lacrosse was included as an NCAA sport for women in 1982.

Statistic 45

In women’s lacrosse, physical contact is limited, making it a non-contact sport at the college level.

Statistic 46

The highest scoring game in NCAA women’s lacrosse history saw a total of 32 goals scored.

Statistic 47

The first outdoor women's lacrosse game was played in 1926.

Statistic 48

The NCAA offers scholarships to over 250 women’s lacrosse players each year.

Statistic 49

Approximately 50% of high school lacrosse players are girls.

Statistic 50

The fastest recorded women's lacrosse shot was 62 mph.

Statistic 51

The gender gap in lacrosse participation is narrowing, with increases in female participation over the last decade.

Statistic 52

There are over 600 colleges offering lacrosse programs in the United States.

Statistic 53

Approximately 15% of high school lacrosse players go on to play in college.

Statistic 54

The most common injury in lacrosse is a sprain or strain, accounting for roughly 40% of all injuries.

Statistic 55

Over 60% of college lacrosse players are recruited from varsity high school programs.

Statistic 56

The majority of lacrosse sticks used in youth leagues are made of composite materials like carbon fiber.

Statistic 57

The average player participation rate per team in NCAA is around 20 players.

Statistic 58

The average height of a male college lacrosse player is about 6 feet 2 inches.

Statistic 59

The first collegiate lacrosse game was played in 1877 between Harvard and MIT.

Statistic 60

Lacrosse helmets are now regulated to include certified padding and face masks to ensure player safety.

Statistic 61

Nearly 90% of youth lacrosse players are under the age of 18.

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The current lacrosse ball standard is a size 4, which measures about 7.75 inches in circumference.

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Lacrosse has been included in the Youth Olympic Games since 2018.

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The average coach-to-player ratio in youth lacrosse leagues is approximately 1:10.

Statistic 65

Nearly 60% of lacrosse equipment purchases are made by parents for their children.

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Key Highlights

  • Lacrosse is one of the fastest-growing sports in the United States, with participation increasing by over 23% from 2015 to 2019.
  • There are approximately 1.3 million lacrosse players in the United States as of 2023.
  • The National Lacrosse League (NLL) has over 150,000 fans attending games annually.
  • Women’s lacrosse has seen a 40% increase in high school participation since 2010.
  • The average salary of a professional male lacrosse player is approximately $15,000 per season.
  • There are over 600 colleges offering lacrosse programs in the United States.
  • The NCAA Lacrosse Championship attracts over 50,000 spectators annually.
  • The fastest recorded shot in men's lacrosse is 118 mph.
  • Approximately 70% of lacrosse players are male.
  • Youth lacrosse participation in the U.S. has grown by 150% since 2010.
  • The average age of a league player in the Premier Lacrosse League (PLL) is 27 years old.
  • The Premier Lacrosse League has over 7 million social media followers combined.
  • The average attendance at PLL games ranges between 7,000 and 10,000 spectators.

Lacrosse is soaring to new heights in the United States, with participation growing by over 23% in recent years and the sport now boasting approximately 1.3 million players—making it one of the fastest-growing sports on the continent.

Economic and Commercial Aspects

  • The National Lacrosse League (NLL) has over 150,000 fans attending games annually.
  • The NCAA Lacrosse Championship attracts over 50,000 spectators annually.
  • The Premier Lacrosse League has over 7 million social media followers combined.
  • The sport of lacrosse generates over $1 billion annually in revenue in the U.S., including equipment, apparel, and ticket sales.
  • The average cost of equipment for a beginner lacrosse player is around $150.
  • Approximately 85% of lacrosse equipment sales occur during the months of March through June.
  • There are over 1 million followers on the official Facebook page of the Premier Lacrosse League.
  • The USA Lacrosse Convention attracts over 10,000 attendees annually.

Economic and Commercial Aspects Interpretation

Lacrosse, blending burgeoning fandom, substantial revenue, and passionate participation—particularly during spring—has firmly established itself as a sport with both serious reach and lively enthusiasm, proving that even in a game with a modest equipment price point, the sport's popularity and economic impact are anything but understated.

Historical Background of Lacrosse

  • The earliest lacrosse sticks were made of wood and controlled by Native American tribes for centuries before European colonization.

Historical Background of Lacrosse Interpretation

This historic fact reminds us that the roots of lacrosse run deep—long before the modern game transformed into a fast-paced sport, it was a profound cultural tradition symbolizing community and identity among Native American tribes.

Professional and Competitive Lacrosse

  • The average salary of a professional male lacrosse player is approximately $15,000 per season.
  • The fastest recorded shot in men's lacrosse is 118 mph.
  • The average age of a league player in the Premier Lacrosse League (PLL) is 27 years old.
  • The average attendance at PLL games ranges between 7,000 and 10,000 spectators.
  • The average number of goals scored per game in NCAA men’s lacrosse is around 16.
  • The official lacrosse ball weighs between 140-150 grams.
  • The longest recorded lacrosse stick is 6 feet 7 inches.
  • Major League Lacrosse (MLL) was founded in 1999 and discontinued in 2020, merging with the PLL.
  • The fastest shot in women’s lacrosse recorded is approximately 62 mph.
  • The Premier Lacrosse League has a championship game broadcast on national television, attracting over 1 million viewers.
  • The longest lacrosse match on record lasted over 5 hours.
  • Fast break situations in lacrosse account for nearly 25% of goals scored.
  • The average speed of a typical men's lacrosse shot is around 85 mph.
  • In 2022, the NCAA men's lacrosse tournament had a television rating of over 1.5 million viewers.
  • The average number of assists per game in NCAA men's lacrosse is approximately 9.
  • The University of Maryland has won the most NCAA men’s lacrosse championships, with 7 titles.
  • The fastest shot in NCAA men's lacrosse recorded is 118 mph.

Professional and Competitive Lacrosse Interpretation

While lacrosse players earn modest salaries comparable to a decent bar tab, their lightning-fast shots—reaching speeds up to 118 mph—and thrilling matches, sometimes lasting over five hours, showcase a sport where speed, skill, and spectacle rival those of the highest-paid athletes, even if the purse strings don't always match their talent.

Sports Growth and Participation

  • Lacrosse is one of the fastest-growing sports in the United States, with participation increasing by over 23% from 2015 to 2019.
  • There are approximately 1.3 million lacrosse players in the United States as of 2023.
  • Youth lacrosse participation in the U.S. has grown by 150% since 2010.
  • The first lacrosse game was played by Native Americans over 1,000 years ago.
  • The NCAA introduced a shot clock for men’s lacrosse in 2019, set at 80 seconds.
  • The first documented men’s lacrosse game was played in 1867 in Montreal, Canada.
  • The sport of lacrosse is played in over 50 countries worldwide.
  • The number of registered lacrosse clubs in the U.S. exceeds 700.
  • The sport of lacrosse was designated as the fastest game on two feet by the Guinness World Records.
  • The first lacrosse helmets were introduced in the early 1970s for safety reasons.
  • The sport of lacrosse has been included in the Pan American Games.
  • The total number of lacrosse referees in the U.S. is approximately 10,000.
  • Over 80% of lacrosse players participate in organized leagues.
  • The sport's global growth is fueled significantly by popularity in countries like Canada, England, and Australia.
  • The first indoor lacrosse game was played in 1974.

Sports Growth and Participation Interpretation

With over 1.3 million players worldwide and a rich history dating back to Native American roots, lacrosse’s rapid growth—fueled by rising youth participation, international expansion, and modern safety innovations—proves that this centuries-old sport is now sprinting confidently into the future, faster than ever on two feet.

Women’s Lacrosse and Gender Trends

  • Women’s lacrosse has seen a 40% increase in high school participation since 2010.
  • Approximately 70% of lacrosse players are male.
  • Women’s lacrosse was included as an NCAA sport for women in 1982.
  • In women’s lacrosse, physical contact is limited, making it a non-contact sport at the college level.
  • The highest scoring game in NCAA women’s lacrosse history saw a total of 32 goals scored.
  • The first outdoor women's lacrosse game was played in 1926.
  • The NCAA offers scholarships to over 250 women’s lacrosse players each year.
  • Approximately 50% of high school lacrosse players are girls.
  • The fastest recorded women's lacrosse shot was 62 mph.
  • The gender gap in lacrosse participation is narrowing, with increases in female participation over the last decade.

Women’s Lacrosse and Gender Trends Interpretation

Despite women’s lacrosse boasting a rich history and rapid growth—highlighted by a 40% rise in high school players and a narrowing gender gap—its predominantly male seniority and limited physical contact underscore a sport still evolving toward true equality on the field.

Youth and Educational Involvement

  • There are over 600 colleges offering lacrosse programs in the United States.
  • Approximately 15% of high school lacrosse players go on to play in college.
  • The most common injury in lacrosse is a sprain or strain, accounting for roughly 40% of all injuries.
  • Over 60% of college lacrosse players are recruited from varsity high school programs.
  • The majority of lacrosse sticks used in youth leagues are made of composite materials like carbon fiber.
  • The average player participation rate per team in NCAA is around 20 players.
  • The average height of a male college lacrosse player is about 6 feet 2 inches.
  • The first collegiate lacrosse game was played in 1877 between Harvard and MIT.
  • Lacrosse helmets are now regulated to include certified padding and face masks to ensure player safety.
  • Nearly 90% of youth lacrosse players are under the age of 18.
  • The current lacrosse ball standard is a size 4, which measures about 7.75 inches in circumference.
  • Lacrosse has been included in the Youth Olympic Games since 2018.
  • The average coach-to-player ratio in youth lacrosse leagues is approximately 1:10.
  • Nearly 60% of lacrosse equipment purchases are made by parents for their children.

Youth and Educational Involvement Interpretation

With over 600 colleges embracing lacrosse, it's clear the sport is growing from high school sidelines—where 15% of players advance—to an elite college stage, yet the game remains as injury-prone as it is prestigious, emphasizing the ongoing need for protective gear and professional coaching, all while showcasing a sport historically rooted in 1877 that continues to evolve with lighter composite sticks, regulated balls, and a youthful demographic still under 18 fueling its dynamic expansion.

Sources & References