⚡️ PRO LACROSSE TO THE OLYMPICS

Flash back to February of 2023, when the Premier Lacrosse League introduced Sixes to a national television audience with the first ever Championship Series.

The new discipline was controversial, but undoubtedly captivating. Athletes like Romar Dennis thrived, and the Champ Series Final was a thrilling shootout in which Chrome topped Atlas, 24-23.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) must have liked what they saw at the PLL Championship Series, because eight months later, Sixes Lacrosse was officially added to the Olympics for the 2028 Summer Games in Los Angeles.

The video below tells the FULL story of lacrosse’s path to the Olympics.

Two years later, Champ Series is still a place for innovation. After a successful All-Star showcase last February, the 2025 Championship Series is expanding to introduce the newly formed Women’s Lacrosse League this week.

While the immediate goal for all eight PLL and WLL teams is to take home this year’s Champ Series title, each athlete also has the dream of representing their country at the 2028 Olympics. They know that excelling in Sixes action this week will improve their chances of one day making an Olympic roster.

Here’s the full slate of games this week and watch links (all times Eastern):

Tuesday, Feb. 11:
7 p.m. — Maryland Charm vs. New York Charging (ESPN+)
9 p.m. — Maryland Whipsnakes vs. New York Atlas (ESPN+)

Wednesday, Feb. 12:
7 p.m. — Boston Cannons vs. Utah Archers (ESPN+)
9 p.m. — Boston Guard vs. California Palms (ESPN+)

Thursday, Feb. 13:
7 p.m. — Maryland Whipsnakes vs. Boston Cannons (ESPN+)
9 p.m. — Maryland Charm vs. Boston Guard (ESPN+)

Friday, Feb 14:
7 p.m. — California Palms vs. New York Charging (ESPN+)
9 p.m. — New York Atlas vs. Utah Archers (ESPN+)

Saturday, Feb. 15
12:30 p.m. — Maryland Charm vs. California Palms (ESPN+)
2:30 p.m. — New York Charging vs. Boston Guard (ESPN+)
6 p.m. — New York Atlas vs. Boston Cannons (ESPN+)
8 p.m. — Maryland Whipsnakes vs. Utah Archers (ESPN+)

Sunday, Feb. 16
10:30 a.m. — WLL Semifinals (ESPN2)
6 p.m. — PLL Semifinals (ESPN2)

Monday, Feb. 17
11 a.m. — WLL Championship (ESPN2)
1:30 p.m. — PLL Championship (ESPN2)

Who’s your pick to win the 2025 PLL Championship Series? Reply to this email with YOUR official prediction!

⚡️ PLL Championship Series Preview

Boston Cannons: As the reigning PLL Championship Series winners, the Cannons are the team to beat entering the week. Marcus Holman and Matt Campbell give Boston two lethal stretch shooters, while Asher Nolting brings pinpoint passing and a physical presence on offense. This roster is gritty and loaded with underrated two-way players, such as Jeff Trainor and Ethan Rall. Look for former Denver attackman JJ Sillstrop to make a splash while filling in for the injured Will Manny.

Utah Archers: Losing Grant Ament hurts, but this is the third straight Championship Series appearance for Archers head coach Chris Bates. He has the experience in this format, and now he has a game-breaking weapon in Mac O’Keefe — who’s dipping his toe into Sixes after spending the past few winters in the NLL. Utah’s biggest question mark is at goalie, where the Archers are counting on Nick Washuta and Jack Runkel (2012 NCAA Champion with Loyola) to hold it down in between the pipes.

New York Atlas: Between Myles Jones, Dylan Molloy and Brian Costabile, the Atlas have plenty of size and athleticism on their roster. But will Xander Dickson be the same off-ball wizard without Connor Shellenberger and Jeff Teat feeding him the rock? New York is the only team that brought two converted long poles to Champ Series (Koby Smith and Tyler Carpenter). This squad may have the best goalie in the tournament: Liam Entenmann.

Maryland Whipsnakes: Last time we saw the Whips at Champ Series, it did not go well. They did not win a single game. Two years later, head coach Jim Stagnitta has assembled a much different roster. Ryan Conrad has Sixes experience with Team USA, and TJ Malone is fresh off his Rookie of the Year campaign. Brad Smith is finally back, and the combination of Matt Rambo/Colin Heacock should be fun to watch in this new format. Heacock was on the Chrome team that won the inaugural tournament.

⚡️ WLL Championship Series Preview

Boston Guard: Led by the biggest star in the sport, Charlotte North, the Guard are the team to watch in the WLL. This roster is loaded with former Boston College and Notre Dame players. Dempsey Arsenault is one of the most athletic players in the entire tournament, while goalie Rachel Hall gives Boston a reliable wall in net.

New York Charging: This squad full of former Northwestern and Syracuse stars feels like Boston’s biggest threat in the WLL. Izzy Scane and Erin Coykendall will be dynamic in the two-woman game. Emily Hawryschuk was a force in her pro Sixes debut last year, and Kylie Ohlmiller is the NCAA’s all-time points leader.

Maryland Charm: Will we see some home cooking this week? The Charm have a lot of former Maryland Terrapins on their roster, and the crowd in D.C. is likely to be filled with their supporters. Lizzie Colson is built for Sixes, as a defender with tremendous speed and two-way potential. Alex Aust-Holman is looking to cement her legacy with a WLL Championship. Sydni Black brings finesse, toughness and a competitor’s grit.

California Palms: A bunch of Tar Heels went west to form this Palms roster, but one non-UNC player to watch on this Isabella Peterson. She is the greatest player in JMU history and towers over the competition at 6-feet tall. Erin Bakes, who won a gold medal with Team USA in box lacrosse last year, is also a key playmaker to monitor at Champ Series.

📺 Mitchell Pehlke Lacrosse Show RETURNS!

Champ Series isn’t the only thing returning this week — the Mitchell Pehlke Lacrosse Show also returns to YouTube. Here’s a little tease of Mitch’s new “Cold Tub, Hot Takes” segment…

Stay tuned for the episode drops! Filming is underway on-site at Championship Series. Expect to see some fun player interviews, new segments, and fresh takes on everything going on in the lacrosse world. The show will run from now until the PLL Championship in September.