Crosse Studios is set to release Lacrosse 26 on April 24, 2026, exclusively on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. The debut title from the small studio founded by Carlo Sunseri aims to deliver an authentic, skill-focused lacrosse experience while laying the groundwork for a potential long-term franchise.
In an exclusive interview with Insider Gaming, Sunseri shared new details about the game’s scope, pricing, development approach, and future plans.
Lacrosse 26 will launch first on current-generation consoles. Sunseri explained that the team prioritized completing Xbox and PlayStation certification, describing it as a learning process for the small studio. A PC version on Steam is planned but has not been given a timeline yet, with Sunseri noting they want to be in a “good place to support it” before committing.
Check out this awesome video giving a sneak peak of the game from X.
The game will retail for $34.99, a price Sunseri believes is justified by the level of detail and effort invested in the core gameplay systems and animations.
The game focuses on a college-style experience in its main franchise mode and does not include official licensing from the Premier Lacrosse League (PLL) or the National Lacrosse League (NLL) at launch. Sunseri noted that the studio has worked with the PLL in the past on the mobile title PLL Top Shelf and would be excited to bring that partnership to a full-field game in the future. He also expressed interest in revisiting NLL licensing if the opportunity arises, acknowledging that many fans still fondly remember the earlier lacrosse games from 2010–2012.
While real team and player names are not present at launch, the game still aims to capture the spirit and flow of competitive lacrosse.
Crosse Studios has built the game from the ground up in a new engine with a strong emphasis on skill expression. Sunseri highlighted several key systems:
- Skill-based shooting, stick checks, body checks, and dynamic dodging.
- Reduced reliance on randomness, with greater rewards for good timing and decision-making.
- More aggressive and capable AI to create dynamic, realistic match scenarios.
The single control scheme at launch is designed to be approachable for newcomers while offering depth for players who want to master the mechanics. Sunseri emphasized that the team has focused heavily on making the gameplay, animations, and motion capture feel authentic to the sport, creating a solid foundation for future entries.
Although Lacrosse 26 is the studio’s first release, Sunseri is already thinking about the long term. The goal is to move away from multi-year development cycles that involve repeated overhauls. Instead, the team wants to iterate on this established codebase and eventually return to yearly or near-yearly releases if the player response supports it.
“This cycle involved a lot of trial and error, which led to reworking major systems multiple times,” Sunseri said. “What stands out now is that we’ve finally captured the flow of lacrosse in a way that feels right. Hopefully, we can build on this code base moving forward and iterate faster.”
The studio’s ultimate vision is to create a sustainable lacrosse game franchise that can grow with player feedback and community support.
Lacrosse 26 arrives as a passion project from a small team with deep roots in the sport. While it lacks official licensing at launch, its focus on authentic, skill-based gameplay and a college-style franchise mode could appeal to both longtime lacrosse fans and newcomers looking for a fresh sports experience.
With a $34.99 price point and a clear roadmap for future improvements, the game positions itself as an accessible entry point into the sport on consoles. Whether it can build a dedicated community and justify yearly updates will depend on how players respond once it launches on April 24.
If you are a lacrosse fan or simply curious about a new sports title with genuine passion behind it, April 24 could be worth marking on your calendar.