2020 Men’s and Women’s Final 8 to be played at TD Place

U SPORTS announced Thursday its hosts for the 2019-2021 U SPORTS Championships in men’s and women’s basketball. A joint bid by the University of Ottawa, Carleton University, and the Ottawa Sports & Entertainment Group (OSEG) was selected as a successful bid, bringing the men’s and women’s basketball national championships to The Arena at TD Place in 2020.

“The bids that we received were excellent which demonstrates a strong interest in hosting a U SPORTS national championship,” said Graham Brown, President and CEO of U SPORTS. “It is encouraging to see our member institutions developing creative ways to host national championships offering the best experience for our student-athletes as well as for Canadian sports fans, and guaranteeing the best attendance on site. This is promising for the future of U SPORTS and all of its members.”

The men’s Final 8 returns to Ottawa after five memorable tournaments in 2008-2010 and 2013-2014 were held in the nation’s capital. 2020 will be the first women’s Final 8 in Ottawa, although uOttawa hosted a national regional tournament in 2012.

“We’re very excited to host an event of this calibre,” said Bernie Ashe, CEO at OSEG. “The partnership between ourselves, uOttawa and Carleton has re-established the glory of the Panda Game – setting attendance records in the process – and we’ll approach these championships with the same energy and commitment to celebrate the top student-athletes in our country.”

“We look forward to making this event special for everyone involved, and to raising the profile and visibility of U SPORTS and University Sport through a strong and supportive Partnership Committee with Carleton and OSEG.” Sue Hylland, Director of uOttawa Sports Services.

“We are excited to be hosting the first combined women’s and men’s Final 8 U SPORTS Championship with our partners OSEG and uOttawa,” said Jennifer Brenning, Carleton’s Director of Athletics and Recreation. “The event will provide us with a unique opportunity to really showcase the high level of basketball in our community for both women and men.”

Both championships will take place on the same weekend, March 5-8, 2020, bringing 16 elite university basketball programs to the nation’s capital to compete for national glory.