about the vail lacrosse shootout

our history

The Vail Lacrosse Shootout returns to the beautiful mountain resort of Vail, Colorado every summer over the week of the 4th of July. As the premiere club tournament in the United States, the Shootout is home to some of the very best lacrosse in the world and will play host to over 65 men’s teams and 40 women’s teams in what has become a pilgrimage for any true lacrosse fan.

The Shootout started in Aspen in 1973 and was founded by Flip Naumburg and Jim Soran. After making its permanent move to Vail in 1979, the tournament has enjoyed steady growth and become a fixture on the lacrosse landscape. More than just a tournament, the Shootout is almost a spiritual gathering. It has become a place for “lacrosse people” of all ages to come together and celebrate their sport in a tribal manner, much in the same way the Native American forefathers did.