2026 Meltdown Registration Link

Meltdown

2025 Meltdown Photos

Meltdown Madness Championship: April 25 & 26, 2026

Meltdown Madness is an annual two-day lacrosse tournament for middle school and youth programs, hosted in Sandusky, Ohio. Meltdown Madness utilizes a divisional bracketing style to ensure fun, competitive games for all participants at all skill levels. In combination with the tournament's state-of-the-art turf fields, food and merchandise vendors, and opportunity for championship games for teams in the A division, Meltdown Madness is guaranteed to be a great weekend, rain or shine.

We focus on the details, so you don't have to.

  • 3rd/4th and 5th/6th grade teams play Saturday, April 25th
  • 7th/8th grade teams play Sunday, April 26th.

Why attend the Meltdown Madness?

Great match-ups, an amazing venue, and a well run event that is conveniently located.

  • Great facilities: 7 sports turf fields.  No worrying about mud or poor playing conditions that you normally do in April in Ohio. This year's event will be held at Sports Force Parks. The complex is located at 3115 Cleveland Road W, Sandusky, OH 44870 (Field Map)
  • Competitive divisions: While the event is open to any and all community teams in the corresponding grade, we do have multiple levels of play in each division to help ensure that games are competitive and that you are playing against like talent.  We also only have championships in the top bracket - so that there is no playing down to win a championship.
    • A: Most competitive bracket - 3 games w/ playoffs /Championship Format For All Grades
    • B1: Competitive (bracket play) - 3 game guarantee, round robin scheduling
    • B2: Intermediate teams - 3 game guarantee, round robin scheduling
    • C: Newer programs - 3 game guarantee, round robin scheduling
  • Field Coordinators: Every field has a manager so that the event is run smoothly.
  • Centralized headquarter: one point of contact to get all your questions answered.
  • Certified Athletic Trainers: to ensure player and fan safety

 

Divisional Information

  • Level A (Top Level) - Only Level That Has A Championship.
    Level A includes the most competitive teams, featuring experienced players with advanced skills, speed, and a strong understanding of game strategy. Play is fast-paced and physical, with teams executing set plays and demonstrating high-level positional awareness. This bracket represents the highest caliber of play in the tournament.

 

  • Level B1 (Upper Intermediate)
    Level B1 consists of competitive teams with solid fundamentals and effective team coordination. Games are played at a strong pace but with slightly less intensity and consistency than Level A. Teams at this level often have tournament or travel experience. It is a well-rounded bracket for upper-level players still developing consistency.

 

  • Level B2 (Lower Intermediate)
    Level B2 includes developing teams with a foundation of basic skills and moderate game speed. While play is competitive, it is generally less structured and intense than higher divisions. Teams may be newer to tournament play or composed of players with mixed levels of experience. This bracket offers a competitive yet accessible environment for growing teams.

 

  • Level C (Newer Programs)
    Level C is designed for newer teams and programs that are early in their development. The pace of play is slower, with teams continuing to learn field spacing, game flow, and team coordination in a live setting.

 

2023 Meltdown Madness Logo without date

Cost / Registration

  • Cost is $575 a team.
  • To register one (1) team or ten (10) teams please click on the following link
    • Tournament registration IS NOW OPEN for returning teams (Click Here)
      • Registration for new teams will open on June 5, 2025
    • If you don't have an account with Burning River you will have to create one, so that you can register for the event.
    • There are multiple divisions at each grade level.  We ask that you sign up for the appropriate level when registering.  We will follow up in the Spring of 2026 to ensure that teams are correctly assigned to divisions.

Tournament Information

  • 7th / 8th Divisions - 34 Teams Maximum
    • A (8 spots) - Registration open for returning teams only until June 4, 2025.  All team registration starts June 5, 2025.
    • B1 (10 spots) - Registration open for returning teams only until June 4, 2025.  All team registration starts June 5, 2025.
    • B2 (10 spots) - Registration open for returning teams only until June 4, 2025.  All team registration starts June 5, 2025.
    • C (6 spots) - Registration open for returning teams only until June 4, 2025.  All team registration starts June 5, 2025.
  • 5th / 6th Divisions - 32 Teams Maximum

    • A (8 spots) - Registration open for returning teams only until June 4, 2025.  All team registration starts June 5, 2025.
    • B1 (10 spots) - Registration open for returning teams only until June 4, 2025.  All team registration starts June 5, 2025.
    • B2 (8 spots) - Registration open for returning teams only until June 4, 2025.  All team registration starts June 5, 2025.
    • C (6 spots) - Registration open for returning teams only until June 4, 2025.  All team registration starts June 5, 2025.
  • 3rd / 4th Divisions) - 34 Teams Maximum
    • A (8 spots) - Registration open for returning teams only until June 4, 2025.  All team registration starts June 5, 2025.
    • B1 (10 spots) - Registration open for returning teams only until June 4, 2025.  All team registration starts June 5, 2025.
    • B2 (10 spots) - Registration open for returning teams only until June 4, 2025.  All team registration starts June 5, 2025.
    • C (6 spots) - Registration open for returning teams only until June 4, 2025.  All team registration starts June 5, 2025.
  • Wait list - please note the wait list is free and every year we get multiple wait listed teams into the tournament.  It is worth your time to get on the list.

 

  • Location (Field Map)
    • This year's event will be held at Sports Force Parks located at 3115 Cleveland Road W, Sandusky, OH 44870.
  • Dates
    • Saturday, April 25, 2026 - 3rd/4th and 5th/6th grade teams
    • Sunday, April 26, 2026 - 7th / 8th grade teams
  • Area Hotels
    • For those players looking to stay near the event on Friday and/or Saturday, we have several blocks of rooms available.
    • Simply click on this link to take advantage of these offers (Hotel Link - Not available yet)
    • Note: You are not required to stay at the event, nor are you required to use any of these hotels if you are staying.
  • Tournament Information 
    • Times: Games run from 9 AM to 7 PM

 

    • Rules:
      • 22-minute running halves, 5 minute halftime
      • U.S. Lacrosse rules (3/4th grade division is 7 v 7 with modified rules)
      • 3-game guarantee.
      • One timeout 1 minute in length per game per team (except in the final 2 minutes of the game)
      • Keep it in for the team ahead in last 2 minutes, unless up by 5 or more goals.
      • Face-offs after each goal and the beginning of each half.
      • Penalties are timing serving (45 seconds for technical fouls and 90 seconds for personal fouls).
        • No man down in 3/4th grade division.  Player subs off and play continues at full strength.
      • The penalty will begin on official's restart of play after penalty is called and player is in the penalty box.
      • Any fighting or flagrant disrespect toward an official or any other person will result in expulsion for the remainder of the tournament. No Exceptions, No Refunds.
      • All games will stop IMMEDIATELY in the case of lightning and or thunder and players/spectators will be asked to seek shelter

2026 Waivers

  • 2026 Player Waivers (Online) - Waivers are done online and emails with links / information were sent to your coaches.

Programs Attended In 2025

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chardon
copley
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highland
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kenston
kirkland
louisville
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Mentor
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perrysburg
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strongsville
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sylvania
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Tournament Champions

2025 7/8 Grade Champions (Brecksville Bees)
2025 5/6 Grade Champions (Olentangy)
2025 3/4 Grade Champions (Warriors)
2024 7/8 Grade Champions (Hudson Vikings)
2023 7/8th Champions (Creek)
2024 5/6th Grade Champions Brecksville Bees
2023 5/6th Champions (Chagrin Falls)
2024 3/4 Grade Champions Brecksville Bees
2023 3/4th Champions (Copley)
Click To Donate

The Greater Cleveland Fisher House

BR is teaming up with the Greater Cleveland Fisher House to raise awareness and resources (donations and supplies) for their mission.  The Greater Cleveland Fisher House provides a “home-away-from-home” for America’s military families so that they can be with their severely wounded and/or ill family member(s) during those service members’ medical treatment and/or lengthy physical and/or occupational therapy treatments. Over the years, the Burning River community has raised over $367,000 for the families of our wounded service men and women and the Greater Cleveland Fisher House. Click for more info on the Greater Cleveland Fisher House or Fisher House. To help you can click on the FH button to the left, or you can bring NEEDED SUPPLIES to the event.

Vendors / Food Trucks from Meltdown Madness 2025

GOAT USA
Powell Lacrosse
Stick Grip

Morsels, LLC