VICTORIA – The U SPORTS Men's Soccer Championship will return to Victoria in 2026, as the University of Victoria has been selected to host the nation's top eight men's university programs at Centennial Stadium.

U SPORTS release

U SPORTS unveiled its 2026 national championship hosts on Thursday, awarding UVic the right to stage the U SPORTS Men's Soccer Championship for the fifth time in program history. The Vikes previously hosted the tournament in 1975, 1978, 1999, and most recently in 2011, when they captured their fifth national title.

"This is obviously a huge opportunity, and it's really exciting for our program and our current players," said men's soccer head coach Larry Stefanek. "Having the top teams in the country come to Victoria is big for the Vancouver Island soccer community, the city, the university, and our program."

UVic athletics and the greater Victoria community have an outstanding track record for hosting university, national and international sporting events. With a thriving soccer community, strong corporate and municipal support, and the University of Victoria's reputation for hosting exceptional U SPORTS events, the Vikes are uniquely positioned to offer an incredible championship experience which showcases U SPORTS men's soccer to the highest standards.

"We pride ourselves on delivering exceptional national championship experiences for student-athletes, teams, and fans while elevating the profile of U SPORTS soccer on a national scale," said Dr. Nick Clarke, director of varsity performance sport at UVic.

"With Vancouver set to host matches for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, soccer in British Columbia will be on the highest stage, creating incredible momentum for the sport. Bringing the U SPORTS Men's Soccer Championship to Victoria that same year will only add to the excitement, and we are well-equipped to provide an outstanding experience for both participants and spectators."

The top eight teams will travel to Victoria in November 2026, with the Vikes guaranteed a host berth. The Vikes have competed at the national tournament 14 times in program history, most recently in 2021.

"I really want to thank the department for putting the bid together, which takes a lot of hard work," added Stefanek. "Our men's soccer alumni have also been instrumental in helping push this bid forward, and we're going to have massive support from them to make this a success."

"On behalf of the UVic men's soccer alumni we are all very excited to hear the news of the U SPORTS soccer nationals returning to Victoria. The alumni look forward to not only helping make the tournament a success but also supporting the UVic men's soccer team strive towards another national title, as we did in 2011," said Moreno Stefani, co-chair of the men's soccer alumni chapter. 

More details on the 2026 U SPORTS Men's Soccer Championship, including tournament dates and ticket information, will be released closer to the event.