University Cup 2025

[Drummer]

I know the first half isn't over, but it's coming so here we go.

Host: University of Ottawa (OTT)
Arena: TD Place Stadium - Lansdowne Park
Seating Capacity: 9,800

Format:
8 teams - single elimination with Bronze.

Attending Teams:
Canada West Champion and Runner-up
Atlantic University Sports Champion and Runner-up
OUA Queen's Cup Champion and Runner-up
OUA Bronze Medalist
Host - University of Ottawa (OTT)

Ontario Again
This is the second year in a row that an Ontario based school will host the University Cup. The last time that happened was 2009 & 2010 when Lakehead hosted in Thunder Bay. Previous to that - 2001 & 2002 in Waterloo when Guelph, Laurier and Waterloo had a combined bid over two years.

Too Much Hockey?
Ottawa is also hosting the 2025 World Juniors with Pool A in Kanata (Canadian Tire Centre) and Pool B in Ottawa (TD Place Stadium). That's a lot of hockey, plus the Senators and 67's - can USPORTS draw in a saturated market?

Click to read more...

 

[Rob]

Too Much Hockey?Ottawa is also hosting the 2025 World Juniors with Pool A in Kanata (Canadian Tire Centre) and Pool B in Ottawa (TD Place Stadium). That's a lot of hockey, plus the Senators and 67's - can USPORTS draw in a saturated market?

I don't think it matters that much because USport hockey isn't even on the radar in the city. The success of the tournament pretty much relies on the students and if they show up.

 

[dm8895]

I don't think it matters that much because USport hockey isn't even on the radar in the city. The success of the tournament pretty much relies on the students and if they show up.

Canadians students don’t care about collegiate sports . Look at UNB who draws like a CHL team, it’s families and people over 50, same people you see at a Major Junior game.
You could give out free tickets and make it $1 beer night and you’d get some students for a period until they had enough cheap beer .

 

[Rob]

Canadians students don’t care about collegiate sports . Look at UNB who draws like a CHL team, it’s families and people over 50, same people you see at a Major Junior game.
You could give out free tickets and make it $1 beer night and you’d get some students for a period until they had enough cheap beer .

If the students don't show up then it is going to be a very empty hockey rink.

 

[dm8895]

If the students don't show up then it is going to be a very empty hockey rink.

prepare for an empty rink…

 

[UNB Bruins Fan]

Halifax (2026) - especially if St. FX is there, UQTR (2027), and UNB (2028) should all draw well.

 

[AUS Fan]

Many years ago, at the coaches meetings, I was talking to the Ottawa coach and we got on to attendance. He said they had a student population of over 40K and they were getting a bit over 100 fans per game. I'm sure it's not much better 10 years later.

 

[FreddyFoyle]

Many years ago, at the coaches meetings, I was talking to the Ottawa coach and we got on to attendance. He said they had a student population of over 40K and they were getting a bit over 100 fans per game. I'm sure it's not much better 10 years later.

They will need to make a real effort to get the uOttawa students there, like promos, free buses, etc. Since it's a university, they can't give out free or cheap beer, but maybe their Student Union can line up a beer sponsor (booze cruise anyone?)

 

[AUS Fan]

They will need to make a real effort to get the uOttawa students there, like promos, free buses, etc. Since it's a university, they can't give out free or cheap beer, but maybe their Student Union can line up a beer sponsor (booze cruise anyone?)

They'll have to rely on visiting fans. (2001 Kitchener - SFX and 2024 Toronto - UNB)

 

[Campy]

prepare for an empty rink…

Agree...
If you think this thing lives or dies because of student attendance, I'd be worried

 

[Rob]

They'll have to rely on visiting fans. (2001 Kitchener - SFX and 2024 Toronto - UNB)

UQTR would probably have the most fans in Ottawa if they make it back to the Nationals.

Agree...
If you think this thing lives or dies because of student attendance, I'd be worried

I'm sure the organizers knew that this was a money losing venture when they bid for it. My guess is that some alumni members donated big $$$ for them to host the tournament.

 

[dm8895]

UQTR would probably have the most fans in Ottawa if they make it back to the Nationals.

I don’t know about that, they draw okay but every time they are at nationals it’s all families . If UNB goes they will probably have as many or more than UQTR. I think you are missing that in the grand scheme of things no one outside of Atlantic Canada and Thunder Bay gives a rats ass about CIS hockey.

 

[Rob]

I don’t know about that, they draw okay but every time they are at nationals it’s all families . If UNB goes they will probably have as many or more than UQTR. I think you are missing that in the grand scheme of things no one outside of Atlantic Canada and Thunder Bay gives a rats ass about CIS hockey.

UQTR had a good contingent of fans in Toronto this year. With Ottawa being a closer drive I think they would get even more.

Regardless, this rink is going to look pretty empty for all non-Ottawa games.

 

[Hollywood3]

Ideal arenas would be nice Junior A buildings. However, those are usually in small cities which don't have universities.

 

[dm8895]

Ideal arenas would be nice Junior A buildings. However, those are usually in small cities which don't have universities.

I really enjoyed Wolfville.

 

[RED ARMY EAST]

I don’t know about that, they draw okay but every time they are at nationals it’s all families . If UNB goes they will probably have as many or more than UQTR. I think you are missing that in the grand scheme of things no one outside of Atlantic Canada and Thunder Bay gives a rats ass about CIS hockey.

Alberta and U of S both have a solid fanbase.