Regina to host Vanier Cup for first time in 2025

For the first time ever, the Queen City is scheduled to host the Vanier Cup.

On Saturday, U Sports — the national governing body for university sports — announced that the University of Regina will host the 60th Vanier Cup at Mosaic Stadium in 2025.

The Vanier Cup is the U Sports post-season championship football game.

In a media release, U Sports said the event would be done in collaboration with the City of Regina, Tourism Regina and Tourism Saskatchewan.

“U Sports is thrilled to announce the Vanier Cup is heading west to Regina,” Lisette Johnson-Stapley, the U Sports chief sport officer, said in the release.

“We are confident fans from all over will want to converge on Regina for this milestone event. The city is known for its enthusiasm for football and deeply engaged fan base, which solidifies Regina’s status as a city where football plays a significant and beloved role in the community’s sports culture.

“Hosting the Vanier Cup for the first time is an incredibly memorable experience, and we look forward to celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Cup with the University of Regina.”

U Sports also announced that Quebec’s Université Laval will host the 2026 Vanier Cup.

The University of Regina said in a release that 2025 will mark only the third time the game has been played in Western Canada and only the second time on the prairies.

In that release, University of Regina president Jeff Keshen said it was an honour for the school to be chosen as host.

“Saskatchewan is a great football province, with everything needed to help profile university athletics in Canada: the fans, the volunteers, the corporate support, and the most spectacular football venue in the country – Mosaic Stadium,” Keshen said.

“The Vanier Cup will be a wonderful opportunity for our university and our province to shine on the national stage, and we look forward to working with U Sports, our key partners, and many others to make it a tremendous success.”

The U of R Rams have played in only one Vanier Cup, which happened in 2000 when they lost to the Ottawa Gee-Gees.

Saskatoon hosted the championship at Griffiths Stadium in 2006.

The release said the bid was a result of the combined efforts of Tourism Regina, the city, Tourism Saskatchewan, the Regina Rams Football Club and the Regina Hotel Association.

The Rams celebrated the announcement with a tweet on the team’s official page.

🚨 HUGE NEWS 🚨

We’re hosting the Vanier Cup! The University of Regina will host the U SPORTS national championship game at Mosaic Stadium in 2025 🏈

🗞️ https://t.co/pcgPTTukeC pic.twitter.com/pKld5IXwyk

— University of Regina Rams (@reginarams) November 25, 2023

Mayor Sandra Masters said the city is thrilled to be able to host the event.

“Football holds a special place in the hearts of our residents, and we continue to witness its positive influence on young athletes as a channel for skill development and personal growth,” she said in the university’s release.

“We celebrate the importance of sport in our community and will ensure that every athlete, coach, and fan visiting our city for the 2025 Vanier Cup has an exceptional and welcoming experience.”