Albany could host games

Pro lacrosse league’s touring format might bring it to Capital Region

The Premier Lacrosse League announced Thursday it is returning to a touring format this summer. That could include another stop at the University at Albany.

The PLL said it will play 43 games over 11 weekends spanning from June 4 through the league championship on Sept. 19.

“Our team is monitoring the evolution of COVID-19 and ongoing access to vaccinations, and we remain steadfast in working closely with our medical committee to deliver a safe path forward to our 2021 season,” said PLL Chief Executive Officer and co-founder Mike Rabil in a news release. “The ability to travel and perform in markets across North America is core to the foundation of the PLL, which emphasizes growth of lacrosse through access to the world’s best players.”

The league said details regarding specific dates and cities are still forthcoming.

Ualbany’s Casey Stadium hosted a PLL weekend in August of 2019, drawing a two-day attendance of 12,522. The league was supposed to return to Ualbany last Aug. 14 and 15, but the PLL had to abandon the touring format because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Instead, the PLL held a twoweek championship event without fans in Salt Lake City.

A Ualbany athletics official said the school is “still in the mix” to be a PLL site this summer. Ualbany is holding open dates in late July and August, but there is nothing official.

The PLL features several former Ualbany stars, including Connor Fields and Miles Thompson. The league also added former Great Dane standout Lyle Thompson, brother of Miles, who played for rival Major League Lacrosse. The PLL and MLL merged in December.