2024 University Cup

[Hollywood3]

Not many schools interested because of the cost. Ottawa could be a dud for attendance, like TMU was.

Frankly, I believe that the three conference champions should play at the home of one champion on a rotating basis. This is similar to football. (If the RSEQ wants a berth then they need to start a league.)

It is clear that host berths and large fields aren't drawing crowds. All teams in the host conference would have to declare their capability to host by a deadline. If a conference champion is incapable of hosting then they forfeit hosting rights to another conference champion. I know that even in Manitoba with 1,500 seats and low attendance, there would be good crowds to watch the Bisons, and next to nobody to watch UBC play Brock.

 

[AUS Fan]

Frankly, I believe that the three conference champions should play at the home of one champion on a rotating basis. This is similar to football. (If the RSEQ wants a berth then they need to start a league.)

It is clear that host berths and large fields aren't drawing crowds. All teams in the host conference would have to declare their capability to host by a deadline. If a conference champion is incapable of hosting then they forfeit hosting rights to another conference champion. I know that even in Manitoba with 1,500 seats and low attendance, there would be good crowds to watch the Bisons, and next to nobody to watch UBC play Brock.

Not quite true. UNB, UdeM, UofA, SASK, all had good attendance. Lakehead and Halifax (SMU/SFX) also. CIS B-Ball in Halifax draws 6-8 K per game. Much like Real Estate - Location, Location, Location...

 

[MiamiHockeyII]

Ottawa will be a dud for attendance, guaranteed. Much like TMU, both the Gee-Gees and Ravens only attract family and friends to their games.

I have long argued that USports would be much better off simply having consecutive Best-of-3 series between league champions (CWUAA, OUA West, OUA East, and AUS) with the host conference pre-determined on a rotation, as suggested above by Holly.

The OUA used to have a Queens Cup host but abandoned that because it was a money pit. Now one of the two Finalists hosts it and they get a great crowd. If you share the gate, that will pay off the travel costs.

 

[Hollywood3]

Not quite true. UNB, UdeM, UofA, SASK, all had good attendance. Lakehead and Halifax (SMU/SFX) also. CIS B-Ball in Halifax draws 6-8 K per game. Much like Real Estate - Location, Location, Location...

Basketball is much different. They have 4 games per day at one venue. It seems that they get more "overflow" fans from other teams in the stands. It looks really bad when semi-final games have 200 fans. There aren't many places that could draw well. Are we going to give those few places perpetual host berths in the nationals?

 

[Rob]

Ottawa will be a dud for attendance, guaranteed. Much like TMU, both the Gee-Gees and Ravens only attract family and friends to their games.

Perhaps the only positive about the U Cup at TMU is that I did notice there were quite a few fans from Calgary and BC. This was due to the location. I expect Ottawa to be the same as pretty much all cities will have direct flights. However, outside of the first home game I expect attendance to be pretty dismal.

Basketball is much different. They have 4 games per day at one venue. It seems that they get more "overflow" fans from other teams in the stands. It looks really bad when semi-final games have 200 fans. There aren't many places that could draw well. Are we going to give those few places perpetual host berths in the nationals?

It isn't my money. So if a university wants to lose money on hosting that is up to them.
I just like being at a tournament that has a great atmosphere.

 

[Campy]

Ottawa will be a dud for attendance, guaranteed. Much like TMU, both the Gee-Gees and Ravens only attract family and friends to their games.

I have long argued that USports would be much better off simply having consecutive Best-of-3 series between league champions (CWUAA, OUA West, OUA East, and AUS) with the host conference pre-determined on a rotation, as suggested above by Holly.

The OUA used to have a Queens Cup host but abandoned that because it was a money pit. Now one of the two Finalists hosts it and they get a great crowd. If you share the gate, that will pay off the travel costs.

Agree, it's not going to be pretty
Ottawa also is hosting the World Junior 2 1/2 months before U-Cup.

 

[dm8895]

Agree, it's not going to be pretty
Ottawa also is hosting the World Junior 2 1/2 months before U-Cup.

Making this even worse is the fact the rink seats almost 9000 people with the upper bowl open. 900 people in that rink is going to be rough… Hell even in Halifax for the non AUS games that rink was way to big….

 

[Rob]

Making this even worse is the fact the rink seats almost 9000 people with the upper bowl open. 900 people in that rink is going to be rough… Hell even in Halifax for the non AUS games that rink was way to big….

I would have to think they will close the upper deck?

 

[dm8895]

I would have to think they will close the upper deck?

Yeah but still , with the top closed it’s a major junior sized rink with likely a Midget C crowd in it

 

[MiamiHockeyII]

Basketball is much different. They have 4 games per day at one venue. It seems that they get more "overflow" fans from other teams in the stands. It looks really bad when semi-final games have 200 fans. There aren't many places that could draw well. Are we going to give those few places perpetual host berths in the nationals?

Ottawa and Carleton once co-hosted the USports Final 8 and it was also played in front of an empty arena, despite being in the midst of Carleton's Hoops dynasty.

USports is just completely irrelevant in Ottawa.

 

[AUS Fan]

Ottawa and Carleton once co-hosted the USports Final 8 and it was also played in front of an empty arena, despite being in the midst of Carleton's Hoops dynasty.

USports is just completely irrelevant in Ottawa.

That is correct. Halifax hosted for 1987 to 2007 and the event was successful. Halifax may be a lot of negative things, but it is a great "event" city.

 

[RED ARMY EAST]

Has there been any news on who may host Nationals?
Ottawa hosts in 2025 and.....?

 

[FrHockeyFan]

UQTR applied for 2026 and 2027.

L’UQTR dépose sa candidature en vue d’obtenir le Championnat U Sports de hockey masculin en 2026 et 2027

En collaboration avec la Ville de Trois-Rivières et les Lions de Trois-Rivières, l'UQTR souhaite offrir une expérience inoubliable aux étudiants-athlètes canadiens et aux amateurs de

neo.uqtr.ca

 

[hockeyguy0022]

Alberta, sask, unb always get good crowds. Easily over 10K for matchups with those teams. 5-6K for the other match ups historically from 13/14 and early 2000's

 

[RED ARMY EAST]

UQTR applied for 2026 and 2027.

L’UQTR dépose sa candidature en vue d’obtenir le Championnat U Sports de hockey masculin en 2026 et 2027

En collaboration avec la Ville de Trois-Rivières et les Lions de Trois-Rivières, l'UQTR souhaite offrir une expérience inoubliable aux étudiants-athlètes canadiens et aux amateurs de

neo.uqtr.ca

I can see them getting it.

 

[FrHockeyFan]

I can see them getting it.

Well, I guess it will be only 2027 after all

https://x.com/i/web/status/1838960774821052691

https://x.com/i/web/status/1838964217136701527

 

[UNB Bruins Fan]

Unusual to see the hosts announced so far in advance.

 

[timbitca]

Great news for my budgets. I like it.

 

[Rob]

Great news for my budgets. I like it.

Hey. Try to get Les Aigles to bid for 2027!

 

[timbitca]

Hey. Try to get Les Aigles to bid for 2027!

Would absolutely love to, the last time we inquired about hosting in Moncton, the costs to run the tournament would have been astronomical.

 

[Rob]

Would absolutely love to, the last time we inquired about hosting in Moncton, the costs to run the tournament would have been astronomical.

Yes, I've heard the costs have increased. That is why I was surprised when the University of Ottawa was announced as a host. They draw flies for attendance. Maybe some alumni donated big $$$ to host the tournament?

Anyway it looks like UQTR will host in 2027. They should have a great atmosphere.

 

[902RedIslander]

Would absolutely love to, the last time we inquired about hosting in Moncton, the costs to run the tournament would have been astronomical.

Yes, I've heard the costs have increased. That is why I was surprised when the University of Ottawa was announced as a host. They draw flies for attendance. Maybe some alumni donated big $$$ to host the tournament?

Anyway it looks like UQTR will host in 2027. They should have a great atmosphere.

Bid costs alone to host + other fees like the webcasts, etc. make it a heavily tilted endeavour to u sports

Depending on the school and athletic department, and the bid amount $$ aside, it has got to be a huge people effort for questionable payoff. I can totally understand why most schools aren't jumping at the opportunity.

I've always liked organization of the model that the NS schools do when hosting and outsource to a company like SEA. I'm sure that has its down sides though

 

[AUS Fan]

Bid costs alone to host + other fees like the webcasts, etc. make it a heavily tilted endeavour to u sports

Depending on the school and athletic department, and the bid amount $$ aside, it has got to be a huge people effort for questionable payoff. I can totally understand why most schools aren't jumping at the opportunity.

I've always liked organization of the model that the NS schools do when hosting and outsource to a company like SEA. I'm sure that has its down sides though

At least when they get SEA to run it, everything is done "professionally".

 

[FreddyFoyle]

Last time UNB hosted the UCup I heard that they had to sell-out the games just to break even. Quite the financial risk.