TORONTO, ON – The Toronto Metropolitan University Bold will host the U SPORTS men’s hockey championship for the first time in 2024, bringing the U CUP to the Mattamy Athletic Centre. 

The tournament returns to Toronto for the first time since 1997 when the Toronto Varsity Blues hosted at Varsity Arena (final at Maple Leaf Gardens), while the 2024 edition marks the U CUP’s return to Ontario for the first time since the Lakehead Thunderwolves hosted in 2010. 

The U CUP has been awarded in Toronto 13 times in the past. 

“We are thrilled to bring the University Cup to such an iconic location,” said Lisette Johnson-Stapley, U SPORTS Chief Sport Officer. “TMU’s athletic department has recently hosted the exceptional 2017 U SPORTS women’s volleyball championship and the 2019 U SPORTS women’s basketball Final 8. We know that the Bold will offer participants and fans an amazing experience.”  

The Bold have consistently ranked among the best teams in the country and qualified for the U SPORTS Championship for the first time in 2022, as the OUA’s third seed, after defeating the McGill Redbirds in the bronze medal game. 

At the U CUP in Wolfville, NS, the Bold defeated the heavily favoured UNB Reds in the opening round before losing to the eventual champion UQTR Patriotes and STFX X-Men to finish the tournament in fourth place. 

“We are delighted to be selected to host the 2024 U SPORTS men’s hockey national championship. Our men’s hockey team is among the best in the country,” said TMU Executive Director of Athletics & Recreation, Dr. Louise Cowin. “With a new university name, a new team name, it’s an exciting time for us to host another championship in the Mattamy Athletic Centre.”

The Eastlink Centre will host the 2023 edition, with the UPEI Panthers as the host athletics program.