The 2026-27 National Lacrosse League season features 12 teams competing in one unified standings table, with the top eight franchises qualifying for the NLL playoffs. The final standings determine which teams advance and how they are seeded.
Each NLL team plays 18 regular-season games, including nine at home and nine on the road. With only eight postseason spots available, every win and loss can affect the playoff race, particularly as the season approaches its final weeks.
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The NLL's 40th anniversary season begins Nov. 27, 2026. Fans can watch the regular season and playoffs live on FloLacrosse and the FloSports app.
How Do The NLL Standings Work?
The NLL uses a single, leaguewide standings table featuring all 12 franchises. The top eight teams in the final standings qualify for the playoffs.
Unlike leagues that divide teams into conferences or divisions for postseason qualification, the NLL uses one unified table to determine its eight playoff participants.
Each team plays 18 regular-season games, with results determining its position in the league standings.
At the end of the regular season, the eight qualifying teams are seeded No. 1 through No. 8.
The unified format means every team competes for the same eight playoff spots, regardless of its geographic location.
NLL Standings 2026-27: Current Table
The 2026-27 NLL standings will begin taking shape when the regular season opens Nov. 27, 2026.
With the season yet to begin, no teams have established a regular-season record or earned a playoff position.
As games are played, fans can follow each team's wins, losses, games played and overall league ranking.
The most important dividing line in the standings is eighth place, which represents the final postseason qualification position.
The regular season concludes April 25, 2027, when the final standings will determine the playoff field.
How Many Teams Make The NLL Playoffs?
Eight of the NLL's 12 teams qualify for the playoffs.
The eight highest-ranked teams in the final unified standings advance to the postseason, while the remaining four franchises are eliminated from championship contention.
The opening-round playoff matchups are determined by seeding:
- No. 1 seed vs. No. 8 seed
- No. 2 seed vs. No. 7 seed
- No. 3 seed vs. No. 6 seed
- No. 4 seed vs. No. 5 seed
These are the quarterfinal seed pairings, not confirmed matchups for the 2027 NLL playoffs.
The quarterfinals are single elimination, followed by best-of-three semifinals and a best-of-three NLL Finals series.
How Does The NLL Playoff Race Work?
The NLL playoff race features all 12 franchises competing for eight postseason positions over an 18-game regular season.
Teams ranked first through eighth occupy playoff positions, while teams ranked ninth through 12 are outside the postseason field.
As teams win and lose games, their positions can change, affecting both playoff qualification and seeding.
The eighth-place cutoff is especially important because it separates the final qualifying team from those outside the postseason.
Teams near the top of the standings also compete for higher seeds and more favorable opening-round opponents.
The final weeks of the regular season determine which eight teams advance and where they are positioned in the playoff bracket.
What Are The NLL Standings Tiebreakers?
NLL standings tiebreakers determine the relative positions of teams that finish with identical regular-season records.
Tiebreakers can be particularly important when teams are competing for the eighth and final playoff position or when their rankings affect postseason seeding.
When teams finish tied, the league's official tiebreaking procedures determine their order in the standings.
The specific sequence of tiebreaking criteria for the 2026-27 season is not established here. The official rules must be confirmed before individual tiebreaker scenarios can be explained.
When Does The 2026-27 NLL Regular Season End?
The 2026-27 NLL regular season concludes April 25, 2027, after beginning Nov. 27, 2026.
Each of the league's 12 teams plays 18 games.
Once the regular season ends, the final standings determine the eight playoff qualifiers and their seeds for the opening round.
The postseason then determines which team wins the NLL championship.
How To Watch The NLL Playoff Race On FloLacrosse
The complete 2026-27 NLL regular season and playoffs will stream live on FloLacrosse and the FloSports app through a new exclusive, multiyear global partnership.
Fans can follow all 12 teams as they compete for eight postseason positions, from opening weekend through the NLL Finals.
NLL Standings FAQ
How Many Teams Are In The NLL In 2026-27?
The National Lacrosse League features 12 active franchises for the 2026-27 season. All 12 compete in one unified league standings table.
How Many Games Does Each NLL Team Play?
Each NLL team plays 18 regular-season games during the 2026-27 season, including nine home games and nine road games.
How Many NLL Teams Make The Playoffs?
Eight of the NLL's 12 teams qualify for the playoffs. The top eight teams in the final regular-season standings advance to the postseason.
Does The NLL Have Conferences Or Divisions?
The NLL uses unified league standings rather than separate conference or division tables to determine playoff qualification for the 2026-27 season.
What Happens If Two NLL Teams Have The Same Record?
The league's official tiebreaking procedures determine the order of teams with identical records, including when their positions affect playoff qualification or seeding.
FloLacrosse Archived Footage
Video footage from the event will be archived and stored in a video library for FloLacrosse subscribers to watch for the duration of their subscription.
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