West Friendship, MD – May 5, 2026 –  Elite Tournaments is excited to announce the launch of the American Lacrosse Festival (ALF), a new boys lacrosse event held in partnership with the American Lacrosse Collective. The event will take place January 9-10, 2027, at Publix Sports Park in Panama City Beach, Florida.

The American Lacrosse Festival will bring together boys teams in the 2036-2028 graduation years for an early-season weekend built around competition. Teams will have the chance to go head-to-head with strong programs from across the country and compete for the top spot in their division. With a four-game guarantee, every team will have multiple opportunities to prove themselves and be part of a weekend full of high-level games.

Through the partnership, programs from the American Lacrosse Collective have already committed to attend, helping establish a strong field for the event’s first year. The Collective is a national network of club programs focused on creating competitive opportunities and supporting player development across the country.

“We are excited to introduce a new opportunity for teams to compete at a high level early in the season,” said Caitlin Schmelz, Vice President of Lacrosse at Elite Tournaments. “Partnering with the American Lacrosse Collective allows us to bring together strong programs from across the country for a weekend that will challenge teams, help them measure themselves early in the season, and create a great experience for players and families. We are proud to bring that opportunity to Panama City Beach.”

“The American Lacrosse Collective could not be more excited to partner with Elite Tournaments. Our goal is to bring a unique experience to the lacrosse world, which requires expertise and creativity. We believe that Elite Tournaments is the perfect match for our goals.” – L.C. Moerschel ALC President 

The American Lacrosse Festival will be held in Panama City Beach, Florida, giving teams and families the opportunity to combine high-level competition with a destination weekend experience.

Registration for the American Lacrosse Festival is now open. For more information, visit American Lacrosse Festival at elitetournaments.com

About Elite Tournaments

Elite Tournaments is a premier operator of youth sports events across the United States, delivering high-quality tournament experiences for athletes, coaches, and families nationwide.

About The American Lacrosse Collective

The American Lacrosse Collective (ALC) is a national network of lacrosse leaders and professionals focused on delivering high-quality, community-driven programming across the country. Built on a foundation of strong relationships, elite skill development, and leadership, ALC creates environments that support both player growth and long-term development.