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University Cup 2025

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Drummer

Drummer

Better Red than Dead
Mar 20, 2009
1,731
223
Freddy Beach, NB
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...
 
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Drummer said:
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?
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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.
 
Rob said:
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.
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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 .
 
dm8895 said:
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 .
Click to expand...

If the students don't show up then it is going to be a very empty hockey rink.
 
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.
 
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AUS Fan said:
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.
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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?) :)
 
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FreddyFoyle said:
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?) :)
Click to expand...
They'll have to rely on visiting fans. (2001 Kitchener - SFX and 2024 Toronto - UNB)
 
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AUS Fan said:
They'll have to rely on visiting fans. (2001 Kitchener - SFX and 2024 Toronto - UNB)
Click to expand...

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

Campy said:
Agree...
If you think this thing lives or dies because of student attendance, I'd be worried
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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.
 
Rob said:
UQTR would probably have the most fans in Ottawa if they make it back to the Nationals.
Click to expand...
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.
 
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dm8895 said:
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.
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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.
 
Ideal arenas would be nice Junior A buildings. However, those are usually in small cities which don't have universities.
 
dm8895 said:
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.
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Alberta and U of S both have a solid fanbase.
 
Just curious if anyone bought their ticket package yet?

Unfortunately, life has gotten in the way and I won't be seeing the entire tournament. Still hoping to make it for the semi-finals and final on the weekend. I will just be buying singles.
 
Rob said:
Just curious if anyone bought their ticket package yet?

Unfortunately, life has gotten in the way and I won't be seeing the entire tournament. Still hoping to make it for the semi-finals and final on the weekend. I will just be buying singles.
Click to expand...
Haven't yet, but I will one day. Have Hotel booked.
 
I was in Ottawa for the WJ and here are my observations for the University Cup.

Transportation
- OC Transpo #6 and #7 run up/down Bank Street all day from the Rink to the downtown/Rideau Street
- Adult Fare is $4 (tap) versus $4.05 cash (yup - 5 cents more)
- OC Transpo accepts 'tap' at the door (it's call "O-Payment"). There is a daily maximum of $12 if you use the same card (recommended) for all of your rides including transfers (versus using a pass). Note - purchasing a fare on a transfer (next leg of a journey within the window - 90min - is free and will not appear on hour daily invoice.

Parking
Lansdowne Park (TD Centre) has changed a lot from the 80's/90's, there are shops, restaurants, grocery store (Whole Foods) ext. located outside now. Underneath the entire 'pad' is a single level parking garage.

Local Services
As mention, there are a number of restaurants, grocery store, Liquor store as well as all of the local stores along Bank Street.

Lansdowne-shops.jpg
 
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Drummer said:
I was in Ottawa for the WJ and here are my observations for the University Cup.

Transportation
- OC Transpo #6 and #7 run up/down Bank Street all day from the Rink to the downtown/Rideau Street
- Adult Fare is $4 (tap) versus $4.05 cash (yup - 5 cents more)
- OC Transpo accepts 'tap' at the door (it's call "O-Payment"). There is a daily maximum of $12 if you use the same card (recommended) for all of your rides including transfers (versus using a pass). Note - purchasing a fare on a transfer (next leg of a journey within the window - 90min - is free and will not appear on hour daily invoice.

Parking
Lansdowne Park (TD Centre) has changed a lot from the 80's/90's, there are shops, restaurants, grocery store (Whole Foods) ext. located outside now. Underneath the entire 'pad' is a single level parking garage.

Local Services
As mention, there are a number of restaurants, grocery store, Liquor store as well as all of the local stores along Bank Street.

Lansdowne-shops.jpg
Click to expand...
Thanks. I'll have to look and see if this bus goes near my hotel.
 
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