Mount Royal to host U SPORTS Volleyball Championships for the first time
History will be made when Mount Royal University hosts its first two U SPORTS national championships when Canada’s best university men’s and women’s volleyball teams head to the Stampede City for the 2027 U SPORTS men’s volleyball and 2028 U SPORTS women’s volleyball championships.
It is the first time Mount Royal University will organize a U SPORTS championship since joining the university sports circuit in the 2012-13 season. As the host institution, MRU earns an automatic berth into each 11-game tournament to be contested on the Kenyon Court. The Cougars women’s team has previously qualified for the U SPORTS championship on three occasions (2020, 2022, 2023), capturing silver in 2022, while the men’s program advanced to the national tournament in 2019.
“We are excited to bring not one, but two U SPORTS championships to Mount Royal University in 2027 and 2028,” said U SPORTS CEO Pierre Arsenault. “We return to our roots for the 50th anniversary of the first U SPORTS championship played, hosted by the City of Calgary in 1967. The tremendous support of the City of Calgary and Tourism Calgary played an essential part in the decision to award the championships to the City. We know that the Kenyon Court will vibrate with excitement as we celebrate the 15th anniversary season of MRU joining U SPORTS.
This is the eighth time the City of Calgary hosts the men’s U SPORTS championship and the sixth time the U SPORTS women’s title will be awarded in Alberta’s largest city.
QUOTES
CARSON ACKROYD, Senior Vice President of Sales – Tourism Calgary
We are thrilled to partner with Mount Royal University in hosting their first ever national U Sports national championship and bringing such a prestigious event to the city for an unforgettable 'Calgary' experience. It takes an incredible amount of work and commitment to go after an event of this magnitude and I can’t thank the team at Mount Royal enough for stepping up to bid on this event that will not only benefit the local economy but also inspire the next generation of local athletes.
TIM RAHILLY, President and Vice-Chancellor – Mount Royal University
This is wonderful news for Mount Royal University, and we are incredibly excited. As our Varsity Athletics programs grow in promoting and achieving excellence, hosting these championships is an honour and an opportunity to share elite U SPORTS volleyball with our students, employees, alumni and the many volleyball players and fans in Calgary.
KARLA KARCH, Athletic Director – Mount Royal University
Cougars Athletics and Recreation looks forward to hosting our first men's and women's volleyball National championships. We are fortunate to have a runway of time to organize two amazing events in collaboration with U SPORTS, Tourism Calgary, and our community. Our focus will be on providing an exceptional experience for the participating teams, our volleyball community, and fans. It is truly an honour, and we are thankful to be chosen by U SPORTS for these two opportunities.
SHAWN SKY, Head Coach men’s volleyball – Mount Royal Cougars
It’s an incredible privilege & honour to host a National Championship. It means even more knowing that we are hosting Mount Royal’s first U SPORTS National Championship for any sport. We are fully committed to putting on a great National Championship & representing all of MRU to the best of our ability!
RHONDA SCHMULAND, Head Coach women’s volleyball – Mount Royal Cougars
Our women's volleyball program is excited and grateful to host the 2028 U SPORTS Women's Volleyball Championship on Kenyon Court! This is a tremendous opportunity to grow the game of volleyball in Calgary and the surrounding area while providing an incredible experience for our student-athletes. We look forward to hosting our local community, fans, and people from across the country as we compete with the best volleyball teams in the nation!
Stay tuned for the unveiling of the championship logos and ticket information in January 2025. For exciting updates as Mount Royal prepares to welcome the best in Canadian university volleyball teams, visit USPORTS.ca.
Facility and event photos are available for download at USPORTSMedia.ca.