Covid-19 has struck the Canadian sports world again. This time taking away for the second straight year, the national senior men’s box lacrosse championship, the Mann Cup. The champions are decided by a best-of-seven series pitting the league champions of Major Series Lacrosse, representing the East, and league champions of the Western Lacrosse Association, representing the West.

The decision to cancel the championship tournament for the second year in a row was decided by representatives from both MSL and the WLA. Both sides cited non- essential travel restrictions preventing players from being able to be with their respected organizations, and also preventing teams from travelling to and from their respective games. 

The WLA and MSL also stated government restrictions on large gatherings would play a huge role in the decision to not only cancel the Mann Cup, but the entire lacrosse season entirely. The season would have seen its start at the beginning of July, with the culmination of the season coming in September with the Mann Cup championship. Commissioners of both the WLA and MSL made clear their desire to, at the very least, start their season late. The two sides would later come to agree that to attempt to hold a season at all would not be “possible nor responsible”.

( Rob / Flickr) Historic Queens Park Arena, home to many Mann Cup Championships.

The biggest question remains however, is how will the lack of financial income impact both leagues moving forward. Two full seasons of no ticket sales, not to mention the economic setbacks sponsors will have faced due to Covid-19 closures and restrictions will unquestionably take its toll on both the WLA and MSL.

2020, and 2021 will mark the only two years since the modern era of lacrosse began in 1926, that the Mann Cup will not be awarded. 

The last team to win the Man Cup were the Peterborough Lakers of Ontario, who have taken home the last three Mann Cup championship trophies.