Box Lacrosse is Back: Why You Can’t Miss the Thrill of the NLL 2025–26 Season
- karinnaleonard
- 2 hours ago
- 4 min read
With the regular season set to begin on November 28th, the National Lacrosse League is ramping up now with exhibition games across North America. If you’ve never watched box lacrosse before, now’s the perfect time to start. The fast-paced indoor game blends physicality, precision, and endless creativity—all packed into the tight confines of an ice hockey arena.
The National Lacrosse League (NLL) is North America's top professional indoor lacrosse league, featuring fourteen teams across the United States and Canada:
Buffalo Bandits
Calgary Roughnecks
Colorado Mammoth
Georgia Swarm
Halifax Thunderbirds
Las Vegas Desert Dogs
Oshawa FireWolves
Ottawa Black Bears
Philadelphia Wings
Rochester Knighthawks
San Diego Seals
Saskatchewan Rush
Toronto Rock
Vancouver Warriors.
Whether it's the dynasty-level Buffalo Bandits coming off their third straight championship, the freshly relocated Oshawa FireWolves, or the up-and-coming Las Vegas Desert Dogs entering their fourth season, every franchise brings something new to the floor.
Each team plays an 18-game regular season that runs from early December through April, followed by playoffs in May. Games are played inside hockey arenas with green dieter turf carpet laid over the ice. The format includes four 15-minute quarters, with two-minute breaks between quarters and a 15-minute halftime. If the game is tied at the end of regulation, a sudden-victory overtime is played to determine the winner. Per NLL rules, each team is granted a 21-man active roster, with 19 players dressing for games. Of those 19, two are goaltenders and the remaining 17 are runners—a mix of forwards, transition players, and defensemen.
Originating as a traditional Indigenous game, lacrosse was first witnessed by Europeans in the 1630s. Centuries later, during the 1920s and 1930s, the modern version of box lacrosse was created in Canada. Legend credits its invention to Paddy Brennan, a field lacrosse player who was frustrated with the endless stoppages caused by balls going out of bounds. His solution was simple yet revolutionary: take the game indoors.
As the sport increased in popularity, the desire for a professional league grew. That's where the National Lacrosse League comes in. Founded in 1986 as the Eagle Pro Box Lacrosse League, it rebranded in 1998 to become the NLL we know today. Now heading into its 39th season, the league ranks third in average attendance among professional indoor sports worldwide—behind only the NHL and NBA.
Understanding the league is one thing—seeing the game in action is another. If you're new to the sport, think of box lacrosse as a high-energy blend of hockey, basketball, and field lacrosse. Like hockey, the game is played in the same type of arena, each team has six players on the floor at a time, players substitute on the fly, checking is legal, and there's no out-of-bounds unless the ball goes over the boards. The goalie is also protected by a crease surrounding their goal, similar to the crease in ice hockey. Face-offs have two players battling for possession at the start of each quarter and after goals. And like hockey, minor penalties and major penalties send players to the box, giving the opposing team a temporary man advantage.
Box lacrosse also resembles basketball in its offensive flow. Spacing and movement are created through picks and screens that free up teammates in the same way offensive players set legal screens in basketball to create open looks. Additionally, the game features a 30-second shot clock and a back court violation, ensuring the action stays fast-paced.
Field lacrosse shares the same basic objective—and some of the equipment and terminology—but that's where the similarities end. In box lacrosse, all runners use short-shaft sticks to try and score, whereas field lacrosse includes long poles and restricts some players from entering the opposite half of the field. One of the biggest differences is spacing, as box lacrosse is played in a smaller, enclosed arena with much smaller goals and larger goalie pads. This setup demands far greater accuracy and stick-handling skills from players.
Despite these differences, the skills from the two variants translate well, and many athletes play in both the NLL and the outdoor Premier Lacrosse League (PLL). The PLL is home to eight teams that compete from late May through August, with playoffs concluding in September. Each of the eight PLL teams has numerous players who are also rostered in the NLL. Some of the best PLL athletes have strong NLL backgrounds, as the quick decision-making, tight-space stick handling, and physical play of box lacrosse help them take full advantage of the added time and space in field lacrosse.
One of the most remarkable players to compete in both leagues is Blaze Riorden, who serves as a field goalie for the Carolina Chaos and a box forward for the Philadelphia Wings. He is the captain of both squads and has earned numerous accolades, including PLL MVP and five-time PLL Goalie of the Year.
Whether you're a longtime lacrosse fan or tuning in for the first time, this season is the perfect opportunity to experience the intensity and athleticism that define the NLL. Every game promises high-speed physical action, skillful stick work, and precise strategy. Keep an eye out for a sock trick, when a player scores six goals in a game—a feat so rare that in 2004, when Gary Gait achieved it, Colorado Mammoth fans famously started throwing their socks onto the turf in celebration. Even today, it remains a thrilling and unforgettable accomplishment. As one of North America's most exciting indoor sports leagues, the National Lacrosse League is ready to deliver endless unforgettable moments this season. Be sure to tune in and catch all the action!
Edited by: Kelly Cassette
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