U Sports is the national governing body for university sport in Canada. It sanctions national championships, sets eligibility and equity policies, and coordinates competition among member universities across four regional conferences: Canada West, Ontario University Athletics (OUA), Réseau du sport étudiant du Québec (RSEQ) — university sector, and Atlantic University Sport (AUS).
| Scope | National university sport (multiple sports; men’s & women’s) |
|---|---|
| Conferences | Canada West • OUA • RSEQ (university) • AUS |
| What it does | Sanctions national championships • Eligibility & policies • Rankings & awards • Equity, diversity & inclusion initiatives |
| Partners | Sport Canada • NSOs • Broadcasters & sponsors • Canadian Sport Institutes/Centres |
| Official site | usports.ca |
Role and structure
U Sports coordinates interuniversity athletics and national championships while conferences run regular-season and playoff schedules. Member schools field varsity teams within conference frameworks and compete for national titles administered by U Sports.
Sports and championships (examples)
Commonly sanctioned championships include: basketball, hockey, soccer, volleyball, track and field, cross-country, swimming, wrestling, rugby, football (Vanier Cup pathway), curling, and others determined by membership and sport councils.
Eligibility, academics, and equity
U Sports sets academic eligibility, transfer, and amateurism rules; promotes gender equity, safe sport, anti-doping (with CCES), and inclusive participation. Student-athlete awards recognize academic excellence and community leadership.
Rankings, awards, and media
Weekly national rankings (in selected sports), end-of-season awards (athlete/rookie/coach of the year), and championship broadcasts support visibility for university sport. Media rights and streaming are coordinated with conferences and hosts.
High-performance pathway
Universities contribute to national team pipelines via coaching, facilities, sport science, and partnerships with National Sport Organizations and Canadian Sport Institutes/Centres.
See also
- Sports in Canada • Sport Canada • Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport
- Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association • Canada Games
External links (official)
- U Sports — Home & championships: https://usports.ca/