Pan-American Lacrosse Association Extends Partnership with Visit Central Florida Sports

The Pan-American Lacrosse Association and Visit Central Florida Sports have renewed their partnership through 2028, coinciding with lacrosse’s return to the 2028 Olympic Summer Games in Los Angeles after nearly a century.

The partnership, which began in 2019, allows PALA to be based at the offices of Visit Central Florida Sports (Polk County Tourism and Sports Marketing) in Auburndale and provides PALA member nations access for training and hosting alacrosse competitions and tournaments through PALA at facilities throughout Polk County.

Founded in 2018, the Pan-American Lacrosse Association is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the sport of lacrosse in the Pan-American region and is the World Lacrosse recognized Continental Federation for the Pan-American region. The Pan-American Lacrosse Association covers North, Central, South America, and the Caribbean and currently includes 22 member nations.

“PALA is thrilled to continue our partnership with Visit Central Florida Sports,” said Ann Kitt-Carpenetti, president of PALA. “The lacrosse events we’ve hosted at the Lake Myrtle facility in Auburndale have exceeded our expectations … PALA remains the only lacrosse continental federation with a dedicated headquarters in a world-class sports destination and we look forward to hosting many more events in Polk County as we approach the 2028 Olympic Games.”

The Central Florida location will allow PALA member countries to schedule trainings and friendly competitions within Polk County’s tournament facilities year-round. The meeting facilities located within the VCF Sports offices can accommodate up to 100 people.

“For more than 30 years, Visit Central Florida Sports has welcomed top athletes from around the globe to compete in our world class facilities or on our peerless fields,” said Mark Jackson, director of Visit Central Florida Sports. “Lacrosse, truly the first sport of the Americas, deserves Olympic recognition, and is always welcome in Polk County.”