Halifax, Fredericton to host six Canadian university championships

University championships coming to N.S. and N.B. Six national university hockey and basketball championships are coming to Halifax and Fredericton between 2026 and 2028.

Halifax and Fredericton will host six Canadian university championships over the next four years.

Representatives from U Sports and the host universities attended Wednesday’s announcement at the Scotiabank Centre in Halifax.

Halifax will host four championships with two scheduled in Fredericton.

Women’s basketball and hockey championships will be played for the first time at the Scotiabank Centre.

“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, CEO of U Sports.

“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.”

In Fredericton, the University of New Brunswick will host the Women’s Hockey Championship in 2027 and the Men’s Hockey Championship in 2028.

Gender parity played a role in why the six championships were announced together in the Maritimes.

“When they looked at it (hosting in Halifax and Fredericton), they wanted to land on a place where it was an equitable number of men’s and women’s events and championships being played at Scotiabank, so that really resonated with us,” said Arsenault.

St. FX is hosting the women’s hockey championships in 2028 and it will mark the first time the women’s tournament will be held at the Scotiabank Centre.

“This is the first time that the women’s hockey national championships will be held in a venue as large and as beautiful as the Scotiabank Centre, so we’re really excited. We’re up to the challenge of trying to fill that place,” said Leo MacPherson, director of athletics at St. FX.

The championships are also a win for the economy, with Halifax alone expecting to bring in $5 million in economic spin offs.

“The championships brings in all the teams and all of their alumni and fans and supporters come along with them,” said Arsenault. “Halifax is so perfectly set up for all of it, with the amenities around the venue and warm hospitality of the Maritimes.”

Dalhousie University will host the USPORT women’s soccer championship in early November.

Hosts schools automatically qualify for the national tournament.

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