VANCOUVER – The top Canadian university Basketball teams will soon be bound for the west coast as U SPORTS announced that UBC will host the women's and men's Final 8 basketball tournaments at the Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre and Historic War Memorial Gym, March 13th through 16^th 2025.
 
It will mark the first time in U SPORTS history that a single university will play host to both the women's and men's Final 8 basketball tournaments, all on UBC's beautiful Point Grey campus, located within the traditional, ancestral and unceded territory of the Musqueam people. 
 
"U SPORTS is thrilled to partner with UBC to bring both the women's and men's Final 8 to the west coast," said Lisette Johnson-Stapley, U SPORTS Chief Sport Officer. "Building upon the successful 2020 joint Final 8 championships in Ottawa, we are excited to come to Vancouver in 2025 because the city has some of the best university sports supporters in Canada. From John Mills pouring in 27 points to capture the 1972 men's basketball title in front of a full house at the War Memorial Gym to the greatest Vanier Cup ever contested in 2011 at BC Place and this year's women's volleyball championship, UBC has an amazing track record of hosting U SPORTS national championships. We know that fans and athletes will have a memorable experience during the 2025 Final 8s." 


 
Vancouver is an innovative, creative, and multicultural destination where the ocean, forest, and mountains converge. The city and UBC have solidified themselves as a world-class destination for sport events through the successful hosting of the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games in addition to the 2025 Invictus Games and 2026 FIFA World Cup. U SPORTS and UBC look to build on this legacy of hosting excellence and expertise to make the 2025 Final 8s more than just a sporting event for participants, fans, and partners alike.


 
"On behalf of UBC, it's an honour to be awarded both the 2025 U SPORTS women's and men's basketball Final 8 championships," added Kavie Toor, Managing Director of UBC Athletics and Recreation. "We're so looking forward to celebrating talented and dedicated male and female student-athletes from across the country in a unique way on the biggest stage at our fantastic venues. There is such a strong basketball culture throughout the Lower Mainland and our focus is on showcasing this premier event while creating an unforgettable experience for all Thunderbird supporters, our passionate alumni, our industry partners and valued community."
 
The 2025 U SPORTS Final 8 will serve as the first opportunity for UBC to host the women's basketball Championship with the legendary Thunderbirds program looking to add another national title to their trophy case while on home court. The T-Birds women's team last claimed the Final 8 crown in 2008 concluding an impressive run of three national title victories in a span of five years (All time title wins: 2008, 2006, 2004, 1974, 1973, 1972). The last time the 'Birds booked a ticket to the tournament was in 2015 after capturing the Canada West banner and going on to win the bronze medal in Laval, Quebec.


 
"This is an amazing opportunity for our student-athletes to have the chance to compete at home for the Bronze Baby," commented second-year Thunderbirds women's head coach Erin McAleenan. "We are excited to showcase the elite level of student-athletes competing in U SPORTS basketball to fans in Vancouver and the greater BC basketball community. We hope this tournament will inspire the next generation of students to become future Thunderbirds and U SPORTS student-athletes." 
 
The Thunderbirds men's program has previously hosted the men's Final 8 on two occasions, most recently in 2016 at the Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre. UBC also hoisted the WP McGee Trophy on home court in 1972 when the T-Birds topped the Acadia Axemen, 87-80, at War Memorial Gym. The blue and gold's other title was won two years prior in 1970. The 'Birds have been a perennial Canada West powerhouse throughout their history and last won the Canada West Championship in 2020 before progressing to secure the bronze medal at the National Final that same year in Ottawa, Ont.


 
"We are delighted to have the opportunity to host the National Championships in 2025," concluded long-time UBC men's head coach Kevin Hanson, who holds the record as both the all-time leader in Canada West regular season coaching wins (349) and is the leader in U SPORTS wins (515) among current coaches. "To showcase the top 8 teams in the country is a privilege for us. It provides a great opportunity for our local basketball community to see the best teams in the country play live. We are looking forward to a magnificent event."


 
The women's and men's championships will each play games throughout the tournament at both venues with all medal games set to be played at the Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre which was built as a 2010 Olympic and Paralympic host site.