What Is 2020 U Sports University Cup

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2020 U Sports University Cup was the 58th edition of Canada's national men's ice hockey championship, scheduled for March 26–29, 2020, in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, but was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Key Facts

The 2020 U Sports University Cup was set to be hosted by the University of Prince Edward Island in Charlottetown.
It was scheduled to take place from March 26 to March 29, 2020.
The tournament was cancelled due to the emerging global COVID-19 pandemic.
Eight teams qualified through regional conference championships to compete.
The defending champions entering 2020 were the UQTR Patriotes, who won in 2019.

Overview

The 2020 U Sports University Cup was intended to crown the national champion of Canadian men's university ice hockey for the 2019–20 season. Organized by U Sports, the national governing body for university athletics in Canada, the tournament brings together the top eight teams from across the country’s regional conferences.

Despite extensive preparations, the championship was ultimately cancelled just days before puck drop due to the rapid spread of the novel coronavirus. This marked the first time since World War II that the University Cup was not awarded.

Host Institution: The University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI) was set to host the event at the Charlottetown Civic Centre, marking the first time PEI hosted the tournament since 2005.
Qualification Format: Eight teams qualified by winning their respective conference championships, including the AUS, OUA, Canada West, and RSEQ leagues.
Defending Champions: The UQTR Patriotes entered as defending champions after defeating the UNB Varsity Reds 4–0 in the 2019 final in Lethbridge, Alberta.
Format: The tournament used a modified playoff structure, beginning with quarterfinals and culminating in a single-game championship on March 29.
Impact of Cancellation: No national champion was declared for 2020, breaking a streak of 57 consecutive years of crowned titleholders.

How It Works

The U Sports University Cup determines the national champion through a postseason tournament involving conference qualifiers. Teams earn berths by winning regional championships, and the host institution receives an automatic bid if not already qualified.

Qualification: Each of Canada’s four athletic conferences (AUS, OUA, RSEQ, Canada West) sends its playoff champion, ensuring regional representation.
Host Bid: The host school receives an automatic berth, provided it meets U Sports standards, which helps boost local attendance and engagement.
Tournament Structure: The eight teams compete in a single-elimination format starting with quarterfinals, followed by semifinals and the championship game.
Seeding: Teams are seeded based on regular season and playoff performance, though upsets are common due to the short series format.
Player Eligibility: Athletes must maintain amateur status and meet academic requirements set by U Sports to participate in the tournament.
Championship Trophy: The University Cup trophy, first awarded in 1963, is presented to the winning team and features engraved names of past champions.

Comparison at a Glance

Here's how the 2020 University Cup compared to recent editions in terms of structure and participation:

Year	Location	Champion	Runner-up	Host Status
2019	Lethbridge, AB	UQTR Patriotes	UNB Varsity Reds	Neutral Site
2020	Charlottetown, PE	Cancelled	Cancelled	Planned Host
2018	Québec City, QC	UNB Varsity Reds	Alberta Golden Bears	Neutral Site
2017	Fredericton, NB	UNB Varsity Reds	Western Mustangs	Host Qualified
2016	Antigonish, NS	Alberta Golden Bears	UNB Varsity Reds	Neutral Site

The 2020 edition stood out due to its cancellation, unlike previous years where competitive balance favored power programs like UNB and Alberta. UPEI’s role as host added significance, as smaller provinces rarely secure hosting rights.

Why It Matters

The cancellation of the 2020 U Sports University Cup had lasting implications for student-athletes, institutions, and Canadian university sports governance. It highlighted vulnerabilities in national tournament planning during public health emergencies and affected senior players who lost their final opportunity to compete.

Impact on Athletes: Fifth-year and graduating players lost their chance to compete for a national title, ending careers without closure.
Financial Loss: The host city and university lost revenue from ticket sales, tourism, and sponsorships tied to the event.
Precedent for Cancellations: The decision set a precedent for other U Sports championships, all of which were subsequently cancelled in March 2020.
Health & Safety: The cancellation underscored U Sports’ commitment to athlete well-being amid a rapidly evolving global health crisis.
Media Coverage: The tournament typically draws national attention from CBC and Sportsnet, and its absence left a gap in winter sports programming.
Historical Significance: The 2020 void remains a unique footnote in Canadian sports history, joining only wartime cancellations in the record books.

The 2020 U Sports University Cup, while never played, remains a symbol of resilience and adaptation in Canadian university athletics, prompting long-term changes in contingency planning for future championships.