What is the new protective eyewear rule, and who does it apply to?
Rule- England
- England Lacrosse
- World Lacrosse rules
- Junior lacrosse
- Under 11 to Under 19
- 2026/27
- Parents
From 1 September 2026, England Lacrosse requires protective eyewear for everyone taking part in organised lacrosse in England when:
- a non-deformable ball is used (a regulation match ball or a solid rubber training ball, including low-bounce solid balls), and
- the playing rules do not already require a helmet with a face mask.
It covers matches, competitions, training, coaching sessions and camps, not just games.
In practice:
- Girls' and women's lacrosse, and mixed lacrosse: eyewear is required whenever a hard ball is used, because field players do not wear helmets.
- Boys' and men's field lacrosse: players already wear helmets with face masks, so the eyewear rule does not add anything.
- POP Lacrosse and other sessions with a deformable ball (POP balls, foam or sponge balls, hollow soft balls): eyewear is not mandatory.
- Goalkeepers must still wear the helmet and face mask the playing rules require; eyewear does not replace it.
England Lacrosse also now allows players in non-contact lacrosse to wear compliant soft-shell headgear if they choose. It is optional and never replaces a helmet where one is required.
Added 21 Oct 2026