The 2026 Canadian University Men’s Rugby Championship (CUMRC) kicks off on November 12 this week with three BC-based Universities competing for top honours in Montreal, Quebec.

UBC Thunderbirds, UVic Vikes and UBCO Heat all head east for the annual Men’s University National Championships hosted this year by the reigning champions, ÉTS Piranhas, in Montreal.

The eight participants competing for the McTavish Cup are:

• University of British Columbia (BC)
• University of Victoria (BC)
• UBC Okanagan Heat (Prairies)
• University of Guelph (OUA)
• Queen’s University (OUA)
• École de technologie supérieur (ÉTS) Piranhas (RSEQ – HOST)
• Carabins de l’Université de Montréal (RSEQ)
• Dalhousie University (Atlantic)

Quarterfinals will take place on Wednesday, November 12 with semifinals taking place on Friday, November 14. Medal matches will be held on Sunday, November 16. All matches will take place at Complexe sportif Claude-Robillard.

The teams will be competing for the Spence McTavish Trophy, named after a long-time UBC player, coach, general manager, and university rugby supporter. UBC has won five Championships between 2017 and 2024, with UVic Vikes also winning once in that time.

The full schedule and links to livestreams can be found here.

Wednesday November 12, 2024 
8:00am PST/11:00am ET: Quarterfinal #1
10:30am PST/1:30pm ET: Quarterfinal #2
1:00pm PST/4:00pm ET: Quarterfinal #3
3:30pm PST/6:30pm ET: Quarterfinal #4

Friday November 15, 2024 
9:30am PST/12:30pm ET: Consolation Semifinal #1
11:30am PST/2:30pm ET: Consolation Semifinal #2
1:30pm PST/4:30pm ET:: Championship Semifinal #1
3:30pm PST/6:30pm ET: Championship Semifinal #2

Sunday November 17, 2024 
7:00am PST/10:00am ET: Seventh Place Game
9:00am PST/12:00pm ET: Fifth Place Game
11:00am PST/2:00pm ET: Bronze Medal Game
1:00pm/4:00pm ET: Championship Game

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About the Canadian University Men’s Rugby Championship (CUMRC)

Founded in 2017, the CUMRC brings together eight qualifying university men’s rugby programs from across Canada each November to compete for the national title, now known as the McTavish Cup. The Championship provides a vital development pathway between regional university leagues, Major League Rugby (MLR), and the National Men’s Team.