HAMILTON, Ont. – U SPORTS has announced that McMaster University has been selected to host two national championships in the coming years, bringing the best in Canadian university sport to Hamilton and the surrounding area. McMaster will welcome the 2025 U SPORTS Women's Soccer Championship to Ron Joyce Stadium from November 6-9, 2025, followed by the 2026 U SPORTS Cross Country Championship at Christie Lake Conservation Area in Dundas on November 14, 2026.
These events mark significant milestones for McMaster Athletics & Recreation, as the Marauders will host the Women's Soccer Championship for the first time in over three decades, and the Cross Country Championship for the first time in school history.
A Legacy of Hosting National Championships
McMaster has established itself as a premier host for U SPORTS national events, having recently staged back-to-back volleyball championships in 2023 (Men's) and 2024 (Women's). These events showcased McMaster's ability to deliver world-class experiences for student-athletes, fans and sponsors alike.
"We are incredibly proud to be selected to host both the 2025 U SPORTS Women's Soccer Championship and the 2026 U SPORTS Cross Country Championship," said Keenan Jeppesen, Director of Athletics & Recreation at McMaster. "Our department has built a reputation for hosting first-rate events, as seen with the 2023 Men's Volleyball and 2024 Women's Volleyball Championships, and we are excited to provide another exceptional stage for the country's top student-athletes."
"We look forward to welcoming teams, fans, and the community to these marquee events," added Jeppesen.
A National Stage for Women's Soccer in Hamilton
For the first time since 1992, McMaster will host the U SPORTS Women's Soccer Championship, bringing the top university teams from across Canada to Ron Joyce Stadium. The Marauders, led by head coach Garrett Peters, have built a strong foundation over the past few seasons, posting an impressive 15-4-5 regular-season record over the past two years.
"Hosting nationals is a huge honour, and we are so excited to bring the best in Canada to Ron Joyce Stadium and Hamilton," said Peters. "We've had some tremendous battles against the top teams in the OUA, and now we get to show the rest of U SPORTS what we're building here at McMaster."
The event is expected to draw strong support from Hamilton's vibrant soccer community, which continues to grow with the launch of the National Soccer League (NSL) this spring and the rising popularity of League1 Ontario, including local rivalries between Hamilton, Burlington, and Oakville. With a rich sports history and strong local connections, McMaster is eager to add its name to the city's legacy of hosting top-tier sporting events.
Cross Country Nationals Coming to Christie Lake
In November 2026, McMaster will make history as it hosts the U SPORTS Cross Country Championship for the first time, welcoming Canada's top university runners to Christie Lake Conservation Area in Dundas.
"Hosting the U SPORTS Cross Country Championship is an exciting opportunity for our program and the Greater Hamilton running community," said Paula Schnurr, McMaster's head cross country & track coach. "Christie Lake offers a challenging course that will make for a great competition, and we're looking forward to welcoming teams from across the country."
McMaster has a storied history in cross country, with its men's team capturing the national title in 2022 and the program consistently competing among the country's best. Hosting the event provides an opportunity to showcase the scenic and challenging terrain at Christie Lake while bringing an elite-level race to the Hamilton region.
Both national championships will bring student-athletes, coaches, and fans from across Canada to Hamilton and the surrounding area, reinforcing McMaster's commitment to hosting premier sporting events.
For more details on the U SPORTS championship announcements, read their release here.
