COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — World Lacrosse and the Limerick Organizing Committee announced today the new date and name for the World Championship that will be held in 2021 in Limerick, Ireland.

The championship will be called the 2021 World Lacrosse Men’s U20 World Championship.

And the competition dates will be June 17-26, 2021 at the University of Limerick in Limerick, Ireland. The new date and name were confirmed by the World Lacrosse Board of Directors today during its monthly call.

In March 2020, in response to the global pandemic brought about by the COVID-19 virus and based upon input from its member-National Governing Bodies and Continental Federations, World Lacrosse made the decision to postpone the 2020 World Lacrosse Men’s U19 World Championship. The event was originally scheduled for July 9-18, 2020 in Limerick.

In April 2020, World Lacrosse confirmed the World Championship would be staged in 2021 with the following modifications:

• The event age eligibility will be raised to U20, with certain dispensations still allowed. The lower age for eligibility will remain 16 years old;

• National Teams that had not originally entered the event for 2020, but have an interest in doing so for 2021, will be considered by World Lacrosse.

“Today’s announcement is welcome good news for lacrosse players around the world, as it is further confirmation of our intention to return to World Championship activity in 2021, with the safety of athletes and all participants as our number one priority,” said World Lacrosse President Sue Redfern. “This announcement would not be possible were it not for the unwavering commitment of the Limerick Organizing Committee and its leader, Michael Kennedy, to stage this event and to support competitive opportunities for athletes. We offer our heartfelt thanks to Michael, the University of Limerick and the event organizing partners in Ireland.”

“From our membership, we have received strong support and encouragement to move forward with this World Championship, but to do so in 2021 and in a manner that preserves the opportunity for athletes who would have been eligible to compete this year to instead do so next year,” added World Lacrosse Chief Executive Officer Jim Scherr. “We look forward to an exciting season of World Championship activity next year, beginning in Limerick with the 2021 World Lacrosse Men’s U20 World Championship.”

In addition to the 2021 World Lacrosse Men’s U20 World Championship, a record 30 nations are confirmed to compete in the 2021 World Lacrosse Women’s World Championship from July 7-17, 2021 at Towson (Md.) University in the United States.