INDIANAPOLIS – The city of Evanston, Illinois and Northwestern University were awarded the 2026 NCAA Division I Women’s Lacrosse Championship.
The semifinals and championship will be played at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium on the campus of Northwestern on May 22 and 24 respectively.
“The Division I Women’s Lacrosse Committee is excited to head to Northwestern for a tremendous championship experience in 2026,” said Samantha Eustace, committee chair and Head Women’s Lacrosse Coach at Mercer. “The committee is confident that the Northwestern staff and community will provide another fantastic championship experience to the student-athletes as we take this championship to the Midwest for the first time. This is a pivotal moment for our sport as we continue to grow women’s lacrosse. The committee thanks Northwestern for their bid to host the championship and looks forward to working with them.”
Evanston becomes the 21st city to host the championship since 1982. It will be the first time the championship is played in the Midwest region and the furthest west the championship has ever traveled.
“We are honored to bring the 2026 NCAA Division I Women’s Lacrosse Championship to Evanston for what promises to be an unforgettable championship experience,” said Combe Family Vice President for Athletics and Recreation Mark Jackson. “This unique, one-of-a-kind facility provides the perfect stage to celebrate the incredible talent and passion of women’s lacrosse. We’re excited to welcome teams and fans to our campus and share the energy, pride, and spirit that make Northwestern such a special community.”
Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium was developed as an innovative solution to keep Northwestern football in Evanston as a bridge from its previous stadium to the state-of-the-art $850 million New Ryan Field, scheduled to open in late 2026. Located along the picturesque shores of Lake Michigan with stunning views of downtown Chicago, the temporary stadium also serves as a home to both the women’s and men’s soccer teams, and is adjacent to Lakeside Stadium, home of Northwestern’s national champion field hockey program. Built in collaboration with InProduction, a leading provider of temporary infrastructure for major events, the venue features modern amenities and provides a top-tier experience for athletes and fans.
Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts originally had been slated to host the championship but due to the facility being named a host for the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup, it became necessary to look at other sites.
