There are two professional lacrosse leagues operating in North America, and they play a fundamentally different version of the sport. Knowing which is which — and why both exist — makes pro lacrosse a lot more interesting to follow.

The PLL: Field Lacrosse, Tour Model

The Premier Lacrosse League (PLL) was founded in 2019 and plays outdoor field lacrosse — the same version of the game played at the NCAA level. Ten players per side on a full-size field. The PLL launched with a touring model: rather than having city-based franchises, all teams travel to a different host city each weekend, creating a festival-style event around the games. The league has since shifted toward a hybrid model with some teams developing stronger city identities.

The PLL season runs June through September. Average salaries are in the range of $35,000–$55,000 per season, which means essentially all PLL players hold other jobs in the off-season. The league has television deals with ESPN and ABC, which has meaningfully raised the sport's profile.

The NLL: Box Lacrosse, City Franchises

The National Lacrosse League (NLL) has been around since 1986 and plays indoor box lacrosse — a completely different game from field lacrosse. The field is smaller (roughly hockey rink size), six players per side instead of ten, and the gameplay is faster, more physical, and higher-scoring. Box lacrosse is the version of the game that is dominant in Canada, and the NLL reflects that geography: most franchises are in Canadian cities, though the league has expanded into several U.S. markets.

NLL teams have stable home arenas and city-based fan bases — the traditional franchise model. The NLL season runs December through May, which is why player overlap between leagues is substantial. Many of the best lacrosse players in the world compete in the NLL in the winter and the PLL in the summer.

Why the Two Leagues Coexist

Field lacrosse and box lacrosse have different roots and different audiences. In Canada, box lacrosse is the traditional form — played in hockey rinks during the summer, deeply embedded in communities. In the U.S., field lacrosse is the dominant version, driven by the high school and college ecosystem on the East Coast. The PLL serves the American field lacrosse audience; the NLL serves the Canadian box lacrosse tradition with growing U.S. expansion.

Players who can play both versions are the most valuable commodities. Box lacrosse skills — quick hands, physical play in tight spaces, finishing in traffic — directly translate to field lacrosse, and many of the best PLL players developed those skills in the NLL or in Canadian box leagues.

What About the WLL?

The Women's Lacrosse League (WLL) launched in 2023 as the first professional women's field lacrosse league in North America. It operates with a similar structure to the early PLL — touring model, top college and international talent. For a full breakdown, see our WLL guide.

Can College Players Play Professionally?

After NCAA eligibility is exhausted, players can enter the PLL Draft. The PLL holds a draft each year, and the top college seniors — as well as international players — are selected. Many players also play in the NLL immediately after college, particularly those with strong box lacrosse backgrounds. The professional path in lacrosse is real, but the salaries mean it's almost always a second income rather than a standalone career at this point in the sport's development.