Decatur Lands NAIA Lacrosse National Championships

The men's and women's tournaments will be held at the Jack Allen Sports Complex starting in 2026.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 8:28pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A cubist, geometric painting depicting a lacrosse game, with sharp, overlapping planes of color representing the players, field, and action of the sport.The NAIA Lacrosse National Championships will bring the energy and excitement of top collegiate competition to Decatur, Alabama.Decatur Today

The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) has selected Decatur, Alabama, to host the 2026 men's and women's Lacrosse National Championships. The tournaments are expected to bring significant revenue to the city, with the help of local collaborations between Decatur Parks and Recreation and Decatur Morgan County Tourism.

Why it matters

Hosting the NAIA Lacrosse National Championships will put Decatur in the national spotlight, showcasing the city's facilities and community. The event is expected to drive tourism, support local businesses, and foster relationships between student-athletes and the Decatur community.

The details

The lacrosse championships will host 16 total teams from across the country, comprising the top eight men's and women's collegiate teams. The event will be held at the Jack Allen Sports Complex, which features a championship-sized field, press box, and seating for over 2,000 spectators. During the championship week, NAIA's Champions of Character program will send student-athletes into the community to participate in outreach events.

  • The bid to host the championship tournament was placed in July 2025.
  • The national championships will be hosted at the Jack Allen Sports Complex from May 11-16, 2026.
  • The championship event will return to Decatur each year in the second week of May through 2028.

The players

Decatur Morgan County Tourism

The tourism organization that will provide support with lodging and dining options for visitors, and estimates the event will generate more than 1,000 hotel room nights annually and drive spending at local restaurants and businesses.

Decatur Parks and Recreation

The department that collaborated with Decatur Morgan County Tourism to bring the NAIA Lacrosse National Championships to Decatur.

Jack Allen Sports Complex

The sports facility in Decatur that will host the NAIA Lacrosse National Championships, featuring a championship-sized field, press box, and seating for over 2,000 spectators.

NAIA

The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics, which has selected Decatur to host the men's and women's Lacrosse National Championships.

Kent Lawrence

The Mayor of Decatur, who stated that events like the NAIA Lacrosse National Championships bring energy to the city and highlight what makes Decatur a great place to live and visit.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Events like the NAIA Lacrosse National Championships drive visitation, support our local business, and showcase Decatur on a national stage.”

— Danielle Gibson, Director of Decatur Morgan County Tourism

“What set Decatur apart was our facilities, our centralized layout at Jack Allen, and the way our community welcomed teams and visitors.”

— Don Dukemineer, Decatur Sport League and Tournament Manager

“Events like this bring energy to our city and highlight what makes Decatur a great place to live and visit.”

— Kent Lawrence, Mayor of Decatur

What’s next

Decatur residents are advised to get tickets early and take part in the week-long championship events.

The takeaway

Hosting the NAIA Lacrosse National Championships is a significant win for Decatur, showcasing the city's facilities and community on a national stage. The event is expected to drive tourism, support local businesses, and foster relationships between student-athletes and the Decatur community, cementing the city's reputation as a premier destination for collegiate sports competitions.