The 2019 Major League Lacrosse season was the 19th season of Major League Lacrosse. The regular season began on Friday, May 31 and ended on Sunday, September 22. It was the first time the league would ever begin its season after Memorial Day, allowing all players selected in the collegiate draft to play a full season. 2019 also marks the first time each team would play 16 games. The league has played a 14-game schedule since 2012. Additionally, the league returned to a Championship Weekend format instead of a two-week postseason for the first time since 2013. Championship Weekend was hosted in Denver with two semifinal games on Friday, October 4 and the 19th Steinfeld Cup was hosted at Dick's Sporting Goods Park October 6 on ESPN2.
For the third time in five years, the Denver Outlaws enter the season as defending Steinfeld Cup champions. They defeated the Dallas Rattlers 16–12 in the 2018 championship game in Charleston, South Carolina.
On April 1, the league announced that the Charlotte Hounds, Florida Launch, and Ohio Machine would not be participating in the 2019 season, with Charlotte set to return in 2021 and Florida and Ohio folding. An updated league schedule was released April 3. The league competed with only six teams, the fewest since 2011.
Milestones and events
September 17, 2018 - The league announces a 51% increase in the gameday salary cap, an expansion of the schedule from 14 to 16 games, and expansion of the game day active roster from 19 to 20 players. October 1 - The league announces a shift in the season, stating the league will begin the 2019 season on Friday, May 31, the weekend after Memorial Day and the NCAA Lacrosse championships. October 18 - The league announces plans for a total rebranding effort. The most noticeable changes will be a new logo, replacing one that has been around since the league's inaugural season. MLL also announced with the rebranding, its official website (along with each team's website) will be overhauled. On November 14, MLL announced it had selected Troika to lead that process. November 29 - The 2019 schedule is released, highlighted by 58 weekend games compared to only 14 weekday games. With the schedule release, the league also stated it will continue its partnership with ESPN in 2019. An updated schedule reflecting league contraction was released April 3. May 16, 2019 - Progressive Insurance is announced as the league's official insurance provider. May 25 - 44-year-old John Grant Jr., the second-all time leading scorer in MLL history and Denver Outlaws offensive coordinator announces he will come out of retirement and suit up for the Outlaws in 2019. Grant Jr., who last played in 2017 as a member of the Machine, will serve a unique role as a player-coach. June 8 - John Grant Jr. surpasses Paul Rabil's points record (regular season and playoff) of 596 and reclaims his title as the league's all-time leading scorer. July 15 - Denver is announced as the host city for the 2019 Championship Weekend. Peter Barton Stadium will host the two semifinal games on October 4 and Dick's Sporting Goods Park (home to MLS's Colorado Rapids), will host the 19th Steinfeld Cup on Sunday, October 6. July 28 - Due to maintenance beginning at Grady Stadium, the Blaze announce they will play their last three home games at Atlanta Silverbacks Park in North Atlanta. August 24 - John Grant Jr. becomes the all-time regular season points leader on a seven-point night propelling the Outlaws to a 16-13 win over New York, snapping a four-game losing streak.
Stadium changes
Florida Launch - With the schedule release on November 29, the Launch announced they would move their home games to Central Broward Regional Park in Lauderhill, due to the later season date overlapping with the Florida Atlantic Owls football season. The Launch had spent all five years of their franchise's history at FAU Stadium. However, on April 1, the Launch were announced as one of the three teams being suspended under league contraction. Boston Cannons - The Cannons announced on December 4 that they would be moving their home games to Veterans Memorial Stadium in Quincy. The team will also invest in making significant upgrades to the facility, which was built during The Great Depression. Atlanta Blaze - On March 29, the Blaze announced they were relocating to Midtown Atlanta and 6,500-seat Grady Stadium. They spent their first three years of existence at Fifth Third Bank Stadium. However on July 28, the Blaze were forced to move again due to Atlanta Silverbacks Park due to maintenance at Grady Stadium.