OCAA:

In advance of National Indigenous Peoples Day on June 21, the Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) is proud to announce the introduction of lacrosse sixes as an exploratory sport for the 2026-27 season.

Following a thorough review of an expression of interest submitted last November, the OCAA will move forward with an exhibition season this upcoming fall semester.

Four member schools have committed to fielding teams for friendly competition this season, including:

Durham College (Oshawa)
Fleming College (Peterborough)
Humber Polytechnic (Etobicoke)
Mohawk College (Hamilton)

Beginning in late September, these institutions will take turns hosting multi-game showcase events at a single location on the following dates:

Sept. 27 at Rob Ford Stadium (Etobicoke)
Oct. 18 at Vaso’s Field (Oshawa)
Oct. 25 at Fleming Sport Complex (Peterborough)
Nov. 1 at St. Mary’s CSS or Bishop Tonnos CSS (Hamilton)

The initiative aligns with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s calls to action, which mandate that sport policies, programs, and initiatives be inclusive of Indigenous peoples. According to World Lacrosse, the sport’s roots trace directly back to the Indigenous peoples of North America.

Interest in lacrosse sixes has been building among OCAA members the last few seasons, reaching a milestone last year when Mohawk and Humber faced off in Canada’s historic first collegiate sixes match at the Baggataway Cup.

According to World Lacrosse, the “sixes” discipline was created in 2018 to accelerate global growth, increase accessibility, foster competitive balance, and reduce both the cost and complexity of participation and event staging. Distinct from traditional field and box lacrosse, sixes features:

Six players per side
A 30-second shot clock
Four eight-minute running-time quarters
Fast-paced matches lasting approximately 45 minutes
A compact 70×36 metre outdoor playing surface
The International Olympic Committee recently approved the inclusion of lacrosse sixes for the 2028 Summer Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

The OCAA will review the success of the exhibition season at its director’s meeting in December to determine the discipline’s potential as an official new varsity sport.