2025 CGIS U SPORTS Women’s Rugby Championships presented by Rec Room

Women’s rugby in Canada is booming, and the ultimate showdown of the season is coming up this fall. Vancouver plays host to the 2025 CGIS U SPORTS Women’s Rugby National Championships from October 29 to November 2. Whether you are a long-time fan or a curious first-timer, this event is your chance to soak up the energy of one of the fastest-growing sports in the country.

All About the 2025 CGIS U SPORTS Women’s Rugby National Championships

Each autumn, the top university women’s rugby teams from across Canada gather for one final, high-stakes sprint to glory. The format is simple: eight teams, eleven games, single elimination, and one champion crowned after three days of fierce tackles and dazzling tries.

The 2025 edition runs from October 29 to November 2 at UBC’s Thunderbird Stadium in Vancouver’s UBC neighbourhood. It’s a venue steeped in history and buzzing with campus spirit. Picture it: crisp fall air, tall evergreens ringing the stadium, and the roar of the crowd as a winger bursts down the sideline.

But this tournament is about more than just school bragging rights. U SPORTS women’s rugby is the launchpad for Canada’s national teams. Many of the stars proudly wearing the red and white at international competitions cut their teeth right here in these championships. That means the players you are watching could be the next generation of Olympians and World Cup heroes.

In fact, Canada’s women’s rugby is at a high point. The national women’s 7s team brought home silver at the 2024 Paris Olympics, thrilling fans with their speed and physicality. Meanwhile, the national women’s 15s squad is ranked number two in the world and is currently battling through the Rugby World Cup in England, with the finals scheduled to wrap up on September 27.

And we can’t forget the hosts. The UBC Thunderbirds are a powerhouse, having claimed the Canada West title four seasons in a row. They also lifted the 2024 U SPORTS Women’s Rugby National Championship trophy, so they’ll be defending their crown on home soil. Expect plenty of blue-and-gold-clad fans filling the stands.

Tips for Attending the Games

The Schedule: Eleven games spread across four days, from October 29 to November 2. With multiple matches each day, you can settle in and enjoy marathon sessions of hard-hitting rugby, with plenty of breaks to hit the concession stand for popcorn and hot dogs.

Tickets: On sale soon - watch the U SPORTS website for announcements.

The Venue: Thunderbird Stadium is a true UBC landmark. Built in 1967, the open-air turf field stadium has seen everything from Thunderbirds football to international rugby tests. With its iconic covered grandstand and tree-lined campus location, it’s the perfect stage for championship rugby.

What to Bring: Vancouver in late October is unpredictable - think misty drizzle one minute and sunbeams cutting through the clouds the next. The grandstand will keep the rain off your head, but it can still be chilly. Bundle up in warm clothing and consider bringing a seat pad to make the bleachers more comfortable for back-to-back games.

Getting There: The stadium sits at the south end of UBC Campus. If you’re driving, pay-by-plate parking is available in Thunderbird Parkade or along East Mall. Prefer transit? Several bus routes stop nearby, or you can hop on the speedy 99 B-Line Express to the UBC Bus Loop - it’s a 15-minute walk to the stadium through the leafy campus.

Keep Celebrating Women’s Sports in Vancouver

The U SPORTS Women’s Rugby National Championship may be the highlight of fall, but Vancouver is brimming with opportunities and events to cheer for women’s sports year-round.

Professional women’s hockey is about to drop the puck in Vancouver for the first time with the new PWHL season beginning in late November. Vancouver’s PWHL franchise is expected to draw huge crowds thanks to stars like the high-scoring Sarah Nurse, a gold medal winner at the 2022 Beijing Olympics.

The Vancouver Rise wrap up their very first season as part of the Northern Super League in mid-October. The league itself is making history as Canada’s first domestic pro league for women’s soccer. With Burnaby’s own Christine Sinclair as part of the ownership group, the connection to Vancouver runs deep. Sinclair isn’t just Canada’s most decorated soccer player, she’s also the all-time leading international goal scorer in the world… of any gender.

For a dose of history, swing by the BC Sports Hall of Fame at BC Place. You’ll find exhibits celebrating trailblazing female athletes from rugby to rowing, reminding us that women’s sports in British Columbia are rich with stories of perseverance and triumph.