NLL UnBOXed expands to 22 markets, 100 schools in second year
NXTbets Pro | Published On: November 1, 2026
NLL UnBOXed expands
NLL UnBOXed kept growing in its second year, moving from 9 markets in its first year to 22 markets across the United States and Canada. The program reached 100 schools and put lacrosse gear into gym classes for more than 61,000 students. That scale gave the effort a much wider footprint than it had at launch and showed how quickly the initiative has spread in a short time. The numbers also point to a program that has moved beyond a small pilot phase. It is now operating across a broad mix of communities and school settings, with more students getting a direct first look at the sport through physical education. The reach into 100 schools also gave the program a clear school-day base, which remains a major part of its identity. NLL UnBOXed built that base while expanding its market count more than twofold in year two, a jump that put the program in position for even more growth ahead. The steady rise in schools, markets and student participation gave the league a larger platform to introduce lacrosse through schools and community events in both countries.
NLL UnBOXed community
The program also pushed beyond the school day for the first time, adding 21 free community events in six markets. Those events drew 524 participants and extended the program’s reach into public settings where participants could take part outside class time. Clinics in Tampa Bay, Salt Lake City and Dallas were part of that push, giving the program a broader geographic spread and a more visible community presence. The move marked a clear step for NLL UnBOXed, which started in schools and then added another layer through open events. That shift let the league meet participants in different ways, with some taking part through gym classes and others through clinics and local gatherings. The Indianapolis Checkers became the first NLL UnBOXed community team, another sign that the program is developing a wider local identity as it grows. In Winnipeg, NLL players worked with young athletes at Frozen Fest, an event that was paired with a professional game and connected the grassroots side of the program with the league’s top level. The community piece gave NLL UnBOXed a stronger public face and added another route for introducing lacrosse beyond the school day.
NLL UnBOXed future
NLL UnBOXed is already looking ahead to a bigger third year. The program plans to announce its final Year 3 markets in December and expects to add more than 70 new schools next season. That would continue the expansion that has defined the program since launch and deepen its presence in classrooms and communities. The long-term target is even larger. NLL UnBOXed has set a goal of introducing lacrosse to more than 100,000 kids by the end of the 2026-27 season. The latest growth gives that target a clearer path, with 100 schools already involved and more than 61,000 students reached through gym classes alone. The addition of community events has also widened the program’s reach beyond the school schedule. With 21 free events, six markets and 524 participants already in the books, the league has shown it can build interest both during the school day and outside it. The next phase will test how much more the program can scale while keeping that mix of school-based access and community engagement. The second year ended with a larger market map, a stronger event slate and a set of goals that point to further growth in the seasons ahead.
