New Jersey is once again positioning itself at the center of professional lacrosse as the Premier Lacrosse League prepares to bring its championship weekend back to Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison for a second straight year, confirming the Garden State’s status as one of the sport’s most influential and fast-growing markets in the country.
The 2026 Premier Lacrosse League U.S. Bank Championship will take over the waterfront stadium on Sunday, September 20, following a full championship weekend scheduled from September 18 through September 20. Tickets are already available, with early bird pricing opening access for fans eager to secure seats well in advance of what is expected to be one of the league’s most heavily attended events of the season.
For New Jersey sports fans, the announcement represents more than a returning title game. It signals a long-term commitment by one of the fastest-growing professional leagues in North America to invest in the region’s passionate lacrosse community, deep youth participation network, and expanding pro sports footprint.
The championship will again be staged at Sports Illustrated Stadium, the modern Harrison venue that has rapidly become one of the state’s most versatile hosts for high-profile national events. Formerly known as Red Bull Arena, the stadium sits just minutes from downtown Newark and Manhattan, offering direct transit access and a unique urban backdrop that has proven ideal for national broadcasts, major league showcases, and large-scale fan experiences.
After a successful championship in 2025, league officials confirmed that the return to Harrison was driven by a combination of strong attendance, regional engagement, and operational performance that exceeded internal benchmarks. The 2026 championship will build directly on that momentum while introducing an expanded competitive framework tied to the league’s evolving season format.
The upcoming title weekend will mark the culmination of the Premier Lacrosse League’s 2026 season, which will unfold across a newly expanded 12-week, tour-based schedule. The league’s eight teams will compete both in designated home markets and at select neutral-site locations, a hybrid structure designed to deepen local fan bases while preserving the league’s national touring identity.
By the time teams arrive in Harrison in late September, the championship field will represent the most battle-tested roster of finalists in league history, shaped by a longer season, broader geographic exposure, and increased competitive parity. League executives have emphasized that the 2026 schedule is specifically engineered to create higher-stakes matchups, more meaningful regional rivalries, and deeper fan connections in host cities across the country.
New Jersey’s role in that strategy is particularly significant.
Long recognized as a national lacrosse hotbed, the state consistently ranks among the country’s leaders in youth participation, high school competition, collegiate talent development, and club-level programming. From North Jersey to the Shore, the sport’s footprint is embedded across public and private school systems, elite travel programs, and long-established recreational leagues. The return of the league’s championship to Harrison places professional lacrosse squarely within reach of one of its most engaged grassroots audiences.
That connection between community and professional sport has become a central theme in the Premier Lacrosse League’s growth strategy. Championship weekend is expected to extend well beyond the field of play, incorporating fan festivals, youth clinics, player meet-and-greets, and community activation events designed to link local programs directly to the league’s stars.
For New Jersey families, coaches, and young athletes, the opportunity to see the league’s best players compete for a national title in their own backyard carries enormous cultural and developmental value. It also reinforces the state’s growing reputation as a premier destination for major professional sporting events outside of traditional football and basketball calendars.
The 2026 championship weekend will once again be staged inside Sports Illustrated Stadium, located at 600 Cape May Street in Harrison. The venue’s modern design, broadcast infrastructure, and fan-friendly layout make it uniquely suited to host a fast-paced, high-scoring sport like professional lacrosse. Wide concourses, premium seating options, and unobstructed sightlines allow fans to remain connected to the action throughout the game, while the surrounding development district offers convenient dining and entertainment options before and after matches.
League officials have confirmed that championship weekend will include multiple games featuring the league’s top teams as part of a playoff-style format that culminates in the U.S. Bank Championship game on Sunday, September 20. Additional details regarding game times, auxiliary events, and fan programming will be announced closer to the start of the season.
The return of the championship also underscores the growing commercial and media presence of professional lacrosse in the region. As interest in the sport continues to surge, New Jersey-based sports broadcasters, digital outlets, and regional media platforms are increasingly serving as conduits between national leagues and local audiences. Fans looking to follow the broader sports and entertainment conversation around events like the PLL Championship can explore New Jersey’s vibrant local broadcasting landscape through Explore New Jersey’s guide to New Jersey radio stations, which highlights how communities across the state stay connected to major sporting moments.
The 2025 championship at the same Harrison venue provided a clear preview of what fans can expect in 2026. Last season’s title game featured the New York Atlas and the Denver Outlaws, drawing a national audience and showcasing the league’s ability to deliver a marquee event atmosphere inside a soccer-specific stadium environment. Attendance figures and broadcast performance from that weekend played a direct role in the decision to bring the championship back to New Jersey.
League executives have pointed to the region’s turnout, energy, and fan engagement as defining factors. From pregame festivities to postgame celebrations, Harrison delivered the type of atmosphere the league believes is critical for elevating its championship weekend into a true destination event.
For the Premier Lacrosse League, the New Jersey stop also aligns with broader efforts to establish consistent geographic anchors within its touring model. While the league continues to bring games to new markets, returning to proven host cities allows the organization to deepen sponsorship relationships, build repeat attendance patterns, and expand community programming year over year.
The 2026 championship weekend will arrive during a pivotal growth phase for the league. With rising youth participation nationally, expanding digital coverage, and increasing sponsorship investment, professional lacrosse is rapidly carving out a more prominent position in the American sports calendar. The decision to stage the league’s most important weekend in Harrison once again reflects confidence in both the venue and the surrounding market.
Tickets for the 2026 Premier Lacrosse League U.S. Bank Championship are now on sale through official league and venue channels, with early bird pricing available for a limited time. Organizers expect strong early demand, particularly from New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania fans who view the Harrison location as one of the most accessible championship destinations in the league’s rotation.
As September 2026 approaches, Sports Illustrated Stadium is set to transform into the epicenter of professional lacrosse, welcoming the league’s elite athletes, devoted supporters, and the next generation of players inspired by seeing the sport’s biggest prize contested on New Jersey soil. With its return to Harrison, the Premier Lacrosse League is not simply staging a championship—it is reinforcing New Jersey’s standing as one of the most influential homes of the game.
