February 2, 2022

U SPORTS announces updated Winter 2022 Championship Schedule

U SPORTS Communications

U SPORTS announced on Wednesday the following changes to its winter 2022 national championship schedule in order to accommodate conference regular season and playoff schedules.

SPORT	HOST/VENUE	DATE	ORIGINAL DATE/HOST
Wrestling	Saskatchewan	Mar 24-25	Feb 25-26 / Alberta
Swimming	Laval	Mar 24-26	Feb 25-27 / Laval
Women's hockey	UPEI	Mar 24-27 - No change
Women's volleyball	Calgary	Mar 25-27 - No change
Men's volleyball	Manitoba	Mar 25-27 - No change
Track & Field	UNB @ Saint John	Mar 31-Apr 2	Mar 10-12 / UNB @ Saint John
Men's hockey	Acadia	Mar 31-Apr 3	Mar 17-20 / Acadia
Women's basketball	Queen's	Mar 31-Apr 3	Mar 10-13 / Queen's
Men's basketball	Alberta	Apr 1-3	Mar 11-13 / Alberta

* Note: event schedules are subject to change due to COVID-19 and conference participation

"We are pleased that everyone has come together to find an opportunity to offer U SPORTS championships in 2022 to our student-athletes, teams and fans. We are thankful to the conferences and hosts who have worked with us to find ways to allow U SPORTS national championships to move forward this winter."

Dick White - U SPORTS Interim CEO

What the hosts are saying

Wrestling @ University of Saskatchewan (Mar 24-25)

"Changes to the schedule have allowed us the opportunity to host the 2022 U SPORTS Wrestling Championship and we are excited to welcome the best wrestlers from across the country to USask. With unbelievable support from our wrestling community, Huskie Athletics and USask are looking forward to putting on an exceptional event for student-athletes, coaches, staff and fans." – Shannon Chinn, University of Saskatchewan's Chief Athletic Officer

Swimming @ Université Laval (Mar 25-27)

"Despite all the obstacles, we remained proactive and continued to try to do everything possible to ensure the presentation of the U SPORTS Swimming Championships at Université Laval. After the 2020-2021 seasons cancellations, it was imperative that student-athletes are able to reconnect with high-level competition, and the organizing committee is proud to be part of the solution!" - Jean-Noël Corriveau, Assistant athletic director of the Université Laval Rouge et Or

Cavendish Farms Women's Hockey championship @ UPEI (Mar 24-27)

"While COVID-19 caused us to pivot our plans more than once, the UPEI Panthers are all set to welcome the best women's hockey teams in the country to Charlottetown from March 24–27 for the 2022 U SPORTS Women's Hockey Championship. I thank the organizing committee for their resiliency and the community for their support as we navigated the pandemic to prepare for what will be a highly competitive tournament in a safe, top-notch venue, all served up with loads of Maritime hospitality." - Jane Vessey, UPEI Director of Athletics

Women's Volleyball @ University of Calgary (Mar 25-27)

"After the 11th-hour cancellation of this event at the start of the pandemic in March 2020, we're excited to once again bring the top women's volleyball student-athletes in Canada back to our campus." - Ben Matchett, University of Calgary Dinos Director of Athletics and tournament chairperson

Men's Volleyball @ University of Manitoba (Mar 25-27)

"We are so pleased that U SPORTS Men's Volleyball Championship has been confirmed for March 25-27, 2022. We can't wait to welcome Canada's best student-athletes to the University of Manitoba," - Gene Muller, Manitoba Bisons' athletic director and tournament chairperson.

Track & Field @ University of New Brunswick - Saint John, NB (Mar 31-Apr 2)

"Having been scheduled to host this event last year, so much work had already been done when the 2021 events were cancelled. We're eager to finally be able to stage these championships and can't wait for Canada's best university track and field student-athletes to experience Saint John's Irving Oil Fieldhouse." – John Richard, UNB Reds Director of Athletics

Men's Hockey - Cavendish Farms University Cup @ Acadia University (Mar 31-Apr 3)

"Given the challenges that student-athletes and staff across the country have faced over the last two years, we are excited to finally welcome the best Men's Hockey teams to Nova Scotia to compete for the David Johnson University Cup. The resiliency and determination that student-athletes have shown during this pandemic has been and continues to be inspiring, and we look forward to putting on a championship experience that honours that commitment!" - Brian Finniss, Acadia Director of Athletics

Women's Basketball Final 8 @ Queen's University (Mar 31-Apr 3)

"Queen's is proud to play host to the 2022 U Sports Women's Final 8 Basketball Championship March 31 to April 3, 2022. The health and safety of all student-athletes and staff is always a top priority. We are very aware and cautious as we move forward in this phase of the pandemic, and will be continuing to follow the advice of our Public Health officials with respect to all necessary health and safety measures.

We commend U SPORTS and the U SPORTS Championships hosts' decision to move the U SPORTS Championships into the later weeks in March in an effort to provide our student-athletes with a safe and complete conference and championships season, and we look forward to welcoming the top women's basketball teams to Kingston and to what will no doubt be an incredible week of competition." - Leslie Del Cin, Executive Director, Queen's University Athletics and Recreation

Men's Basketball Final 8 presented by The Westin Edmonton @ University of Alberta (Apr 1-3)

"The University of Alberta and the City of Edmonton are excited to host the 2022 U SPORTS Men's Basketball Final 8 presented by The Westin Edmonton. This championship provides fans with a unique opportunity to experience university basketball at its highest level by witnessing some of the most talented student-athletes from across the country. We look forward to welcoming athletes, coaches, and spectators for what will surely be a competitive and highly entertaining event!" - Jon Krywulak - Committee Chair, 2022 U SPORTS Men's Basketball Championship

Championship and broadcast schedules will be announced in the coming weeks.