World Lacrosse today announced that the 2024 Women’s U20 Championship has been awarded to Hong Kong.
The tournament will be hosted by the China Hong Kong Lacrosse Association with support from World Lacrosse as the top women’s programs compete at the junior-level world championship.
Mong Kok Stadium, which seats 6,500 and serves as a regular venue for Hong Kong Premier League Football matches, will be the site of featured games, including the opening game, semi-finals and medal games, as well as opening and closing ceremonies; additional fields will be used at the nearby Tai Hang Tung Recreation Ground.
World Lacrosse CEO Jim Scherr said:
“We are thrilled to bring this world championship to Hong Kong, the perfect host for one of our marquee events.
“The worldwide development of lacrosse can be shown through the ascension of the China Hong Kong Lacrosse Association this century and through this event, which becomes more competitive with more talented players every time it is held.
“I know the lacrosse community will benefit from seeing our sport thrive in more hotbeds around the world, and specifically in 2024 with Hong Kong’s support.”
The competition will be the seventh edition of the event, and the first to be hosted in Asia.
A total of 23 teams competed in the last edition of the event in 2019 in Canada, where the United States captured its fifth gold medal over the host team.
In that tournament, England finished fourth after eventually falling to Australia 13-8 in the bronze medal game.
CHKLA CEO Raymond Fong said:
“We are honoured that World Lacrosse has chosen Hong Kong as the host city of the 2024 World Lacrosse Women’s U20 Championship.
“It will be the first time this tournament is held in Asia, and we hope to see the local community and international fans supporting this major sports event and support the growth of lacrosse in Hong Kong.”
The 2023 competition will mark the first time Hong Kong will host a World Lacrosse Championship since the China Hong Kong Lacrosse Association was founded in 1993.
Hong Kong sent its first team to a senior-level championship in 2002 at the men’s championship, and has competed at the women’s championship since 2013; it participated at the women’s U20 championship for the first time in 2019.