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Many of the world’s top lacrosse players are gathering at the St. James in Springfield, Virginia, for the Lexus Championship Series, which begins Friday night.

The Premier Lacrosse League and Women’s Lacrosse League tournament will replace the sport’s usual 10-on-10 format with the faster, Olympic-style six-on-six game.

Rachael DeCecco, senior vice president of lacrosse for both leagues, said the competition offers an early look at what fans can expect during the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. Men’s lacrosse will return to the Games for the first time since 1908, while the women’s event will make its Olympic debut.

The smaller format produces a quicker, higher-scoring contest that DeCecco compared with basketball because of its speed and skill. She said the tournament will feature some of the world’s best athletes and could serve as an introduction to lacrosse for general sports fans.

The players are treating the weekend as more than a showcase. California Palms captain Ally Mastroianni said winning the tournament would mean a great deal to her.

Mastroianni began playing lacrosse as a child in New Jersey. In addition to competing for the Palms, she plays for the U.S. National Team.

New York Atlas midfielder Bryan Costabile, a Sykesville, Maryland, native, has played lacrosse since age 4 and has spent six years as a professional. He said spectators should expect an intense, fast-paced version of the game unlike what they have seen before.

The tournament opens Friday, followed by semifinals on March 7 and the championship game on March 8.