Major League Lacrosse (MLL) announced today the 2018 MLL Collegiate Draft will be held Wednesday, April 18 at the US Lacrosse Headquarters in Sparks, Md.

“Every year the Collegiate Draft is one of the most anticipated events on the MLL calendar, and we are very grateful to US Lacrosse for hosting us in their beautiful new facility,” MLL Commissioner Alexander Brown said. “As we are partnering with US Lacrosse for our All-Star Game this season, we are very excited by our collaboration on the draft.”

US Lacrosse broke ground on the state-of-the-art compound in 2015 and moved operations there in May of 2016. The $15 million facility includes a training center for the men’s and women’s U.S. national teams in addition to the three-story administrative center, the National Hall of Fame and Museum and Tierney Field.

“We’re thrilled by the opportunity to host this year’s MLL Collegiate Draft at our new headquarters,” said US Lacrosse CEO Steve Stenersen. “This is another step in what we believe will be a much more collaborative relationship between US Lacrosse and MLL.”

The scheduled date in April marks a first for the league. 11 of the 17 drafts in MLL history were held at the conclusion of the NCAA schedule, while six drafts from 2011 to 2016 were held in January. The 2018 draft will be the first held while the collegiate season is in progress.

MLL and US Lacrosse will also partner for the 2018 MLL All-Star Game at Harvard Stadium on June 28 when the MLL All-Stars faceoff against Team USA, marking the team’s final test before the 2018 FIL World Lacrosse Championships in Netanya, Israel.

The Boston Cannons will have the first-overall selection while the Atlanta Blaze have three of the first 11 picks.