Pictured Above: The Israeli city of Netanya (pictured) will host the 2018 World Lacrosse Championships. Credit: James Emery via Wikimedia Commons.

(JNS.org) Miriam Feirberg-Ikar, mayor of the Israeli city of Netanya, and Israel Lacrosse Association (ILA) Chairman Scott Neiss announced Tuesday that Netanya would host the 2018 World Lacrosse Championships.

The surprise announcement follows Israel’s increased success in the lacrosse world in recent years. The Jewish state placed second in the 2016 World Lacrosse Championships and has rapidly expanded its athletic capabilities becoming a leading competitor in the sport. 

Since debuting in 2012, Israeli lacrosse teams have participated in every competition of both the Federation of International Lacrosse and the European Lacrosse Federation.

After Manchester, U.K., withdrew from hosting the 2018 World Lacrosse Championships, Israel submitted its first-ever bid to host the games. The competition takes place in Netanya July 12 – July 21 next year.

Netanya was selected for the international sporting event due to the city’s successful hosting of numerous international athletic competitions, including the European Swimming Championships, World Surfing Championships and European Football Championships.

When the seaside Israeli metropolis hosts the 2018 games, as many as 50 countries are expected to compete, with more than 5,000 lacrosse fans descending on the city.

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