Halifax to host four U SPORTS national championships

Halifax is set to make history once again as the city has been selected to host four prestigious U SPORTS national championships over the next four years, marking a new chapter for university sports in Canada.

• 2026 University Cup (Host: Saint Mary’s University)

• 2027 Women’s Basketball Final 8 (Host: Acadia University)

• 2027 Men’s Basketball Final 8 (Host: Dalhousie University)

• 2028 Women’s Hockey Championship (Host: STFX University)

Each host university receives an automatic bid into the championship.

“Halifax has a long and storied history supporting U SPORTS events, with some of the highest-attended national championships in this building,” said Pierre Arsenault, U SPORTS Chief Executive Officer. When U SPORTS received the joint bid between the four host universities in partnership with the Province of Nova Scotia, the City of Halifax, Discover Halifax and Scotiabank Centre, it was a very easy decision to bring these four championships to the City of Trees. We know the event will be supported by the corporate community and fans, resulting in a world-class experience for our student-athletes attending the championships.”

With a strong history of hosting U SPORTS events, Halifax has previously welcomed championships in men's hockey and women’s and men’s basketball, but 2028 marks the city's debut as the host of the Women's Hockey Championship.

Scotiabank Centre serves as the backdrop for all four championships. It has hosted the men’s basketball Final 8 a record 31 times, while the University Cup has been contested twice inside the hallowed walls of the building. The 2027 women’s basketball Final 8 will be the second time Halifax hosts the championship, with the 1980 CIAU women’s basketball tournament contested at Dalhousie University. 

Sports and Entertainment Atlantic (S|E|A) will handle the event operations, sales, and marketing.

QUOTES

BRIAN FINNISS - Athletic Director, Acadia University (Host 2027 Women’s Basketball)

We are excited to bring the U SPORTS Women's Basketball Championship back to Halifax, a city with a rich history of supporting university sports. It's a great opportunity for Acadia and the region to showcase the talent and passion of our student-athletes. For the Axewomen, with three AUS titles and four national appearances in the last seven years, this is an exciting chance to compete on home soil.

SCOTT GRAY - Director, Athletics & Recreation, Saint Mary’s University (Host 2026 University Cup)

"Saint Mary's University is proud to participate in this tremendous collaboration to host four U SPORTS Championships in Halifax. We are incredibly excited to host the 2026 University Cup and welcome the top U SPORTS Men's Hockey teams to the Scotiabank Centre. Time and time again, Halifax has proven that we support university hockey like nowhere else in the country, and we are thrilled to welcome fans from across Canada and showcase our renowned East Coast hospitality. 

LEO MACPHERSON - Director, Athletics & Recreation, STFX University (Host 2028 Women’s Hockey)

STFX is excited to be hosting our fourth U SPORTS Women’s Hockey Championship in 2028, which coincides with the 175th anniversary of our university.  This is the first time that our U SPORTS Women’s Hockey Championship has never been held in a venue as great as the Scotiabank Centre. We look forward to creating an outstanding student-athlete experience while contributing to the growth of women’s hockey in Canada.

CINDY TYE - Associate Director, Athletics & Recreation, Dalhousie University (Host, 2027 Men’s Basketball)

Halifax and Scotiabank Centre have a history of hosting successful national championships. This bid provides a unique opportunity for male and female student-athletes from two sports to compete at home. With the collaboration of the three other host universities and the Scotiabank Centre, we know that Halifax will provide memorable experiences for fans and participants.

The 2026 University Cup men’s hockey championship runs March 19 - 22, 2026, followed by the 2027 U SPORTS Final 8 championships in basketball from March 11 – 14, 2027. The U SPORTS women’s hockey championship is scheduled for March 23 – 26, 2028.

Stay tuned for the unveiling of the championship logos in January 2025 and more exciting updates as Halifax prepares to welcome the best in Canadian university sports. 

On Wednesday, U SPORTS also announced that the 2027 women’s hockey championship and the 2028 men’s hockey championships will be held at the University of New Brunswick. 

Facility photos and headshots of speakers are available for download at USPORTSMedia.ca.