Premier Lacrosse League and U.S. Bank Bring Lacrosse to the Oculus in New York City

The Premier Lacrosse League (PLL) and U.S. Bank turned the iconic Oculus at World Trade Center in New York City into the city’s lacrosse epicenter for one full day on September 9, 2025. The event, complete with a real turf field and eight hours of public engagement, showcased the PLL’s ambition to bring the sport’s energy directly to fans, communities, and one of New York’s busiest and most visually stunning venues, just days ahead of the 2025 PLL Championship in Harrison, New Jersey.

The PLL and U.S. Bank Transform the Oculus

This landmark event featured a full slate of competitions, player meet-and-greets, youth showcases with Harlem Lacrosse and the Brooklyn Crescents, and a thrilling NYPD vs. FDNY PLL skills challenge. Throughout the day, stars from both the PLL and Women’s Lacrosse League (WLL) circulated, inspiring both young athletes and new fans while shining a spotlight on the rapidly growing sport. The day capped with U.S. Bank donating $10,000 to FDNY and NYPD charities, reinforcing the event’s commitment to giving back to the community and first responders who embody New York’s resilience.

A League Built for Fans and Athletes

Founded by Paul and Mike Rabil in 2018, the PLL is a revolutionary professional field lacrosse league. Launching its first season in June 2019, it started with a 14-week, 12-city, tour-based season—eschewing fixed franchises for a barnstorming festival style designed to maximize national impact and TV presence. Backed by major investors including the Chernin Group, Raine Group, and Joseph Tsai, the PLL’s player-focused model provides equitable salaries, healthcare, and even league equity, ensuring the athletes driving the league’s success have a stake in its future.

The PLL now comprises eight teams, including the New York Atlas and Denver Outlaws, who will battle for the title at the 2025 PLL U.S. Bank Championship. The teams are evenly split into Eastern and Western Conferences, with the Cannons Lacrosse Club representing Boston and the rebranded Outlaws bringing Denver’s legacy from the MLL merger.

Community, Youth, and Innovation

The Oculus event highlighted PLL and U.S. Bank’s shared commitment to access and community engagement. Youth activation included showcases by Harlem Lacrosse, which empowers at-risk youth through academic support and lacrosse instruction, and the Brooklyn Crescents Lacrosse Club, a model for diversity and achievement in urban lacrosse. The NYPD and FDNY skills competition underscored the unifying power of sport—bridging civic pride, teamwork, and healthy competition.

Michael Lacorazza, U.S. Bank’s chief marketing officer, highlighted the importance of these efforts: “At U.S. Bank, we believe in the power of play and how it brings together communities. This event gave New Yorkers and visitors a chance to connect and enjoy the game of lacrosse together. We’re proud to partner with the PLL and WLL to bring joy and play into the Oculus.”

Growth and the Future: The PLL’s Evolution

In just seven seasons, the PLL has become the world’s top pro field lacrosse league, named SBJ’s Breakthrough Sport of the Year, and forged a merger with Major League Lacrosse in late 2020. Its business model—players as partners, open social highlights for brand building, high-energy tour stops, and innovative content across NBC and ESPN- has positioned it as a Silicon Valley-style disruptor in the sports world.

In 2024 and beyond, PLL teams were assigned home cities for the first time, entering Phase 2 of the league’s expansion vision. The eight current clubs play home games throughout the country but retain neutral site and festival weekends—keeping fan energy high and local activation strong. According to Paul Rabil, Phase 3 may eventually see a traditional home-and-away schedule, bringing pro lacrosse even closer to the community.

The 2025 U.S. Bank PLL Championship

The Oculus activation set the stage for the highly anticipated championship, which sends the New York Atlas and Denver Outlaws to the Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison, NJ, on September 14, 2025. Tickets, event schedules, and league updates are available at premierlacrosseleague.com and on PLL’s official social media.