Puerto Rico will host an international lacrosse event for the first time, as delegations from nine countries across the Pan-American region travel to the Island to compete in the Sixes Cup 2025, organized by the Pan-American Lacrosse Association (PALA).
The championship will take place from December 10–14, 2025, at Palmas Academy in Palmas del Mar, Humacao, through a collaboration between Discover Puerto Rico and Puerto Rico Lacrosse.
In the women’s division, teams from Puerto Rico, Argentina, Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Brazil, Chile, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Haudenosaunee—the Indigenous nation that created lacrosse—will compete. In the men’s division, teams from Puerto Rico, Mexico, Peru, Brazil, Chile, and Haudenosaunee will participate.
Held every two years, the PALA Sixes Cup celebrated its first edition in Jamaica in 2023. This upcoming event carries special significance as lacrosse was recently approved as an Olympic sport. The “sixes” format, which will be played at the Olympic Games, features a dynamic six-on-six setup on a smaller field, offering continuous play and a pace similar to basketball.
Founded a decade ago, Puerto Rico Lacrosse aims to provide youth with development opportunities through a sport that is still growing locally. Its international achievements reflect this vision: the men’s U-20 team recently ranked sixth among 30 countries in South Korea, while the women’s team placed fifth in Hong Kong. At the senior level, Puerto Rico’s men’s team ranked among the top 10 in San Diego, and the women’s team finished 11th. In the sixes format, Puerto Rico is currently ranked among the top three to four teams in the region.
The event will not only position Puerto Rico as a world-class sports destination but will also boost the local economy, particularly in the eastern region. It is estimated to generate over 400 room nights and around $300,000 in lodging revenue, not including the multiplier effect in dining, shopping, tours, and other experiences.
To maximize visibility, Discover Puerto Rico supported the organizers by connecting them with local suppliers, assisting with event logistics, and developing a microsite highlighting nearby attractions, including nature and adventure tourism experiences.
This championship aligns with Discover Puerto Rico’s mission to strengthen sports tourism, diversify activities beyond the metro area, and foster youth development through athletics. The collaboration with Puerto Rico Lacrosse also underscores a shared social commitment, as the organization works with schools to promote discipline, responsibility, and scholarship opportunities for young athletes.
With the Sixes Cup 2025, Puerto Rico solidifies its position as a premier sports tourism destination and demonstrates its ability to host international events that boost the local economy and strengthen the Island’s social fabric.