CALGARY – One year after finishing as the national silver medallists, the host University of Calgary Dinos men's basketball team is all set to host the 2026 U SPORTS Final 8 presented by Student Housing, set to begin Friday, March 6 inside the Jack Simpson Gym.

This marks the fourth time in program history the Dinos have hosted the men's basketball national tournament and the first since 1984.

The Dinos will open this year's tournament with a rematch of last year's national final as they take on No. 1 Victoria. Tipoff is scheduled for 6 p.m.

Also coming to Calgary for this year's Final 8 are conference champions TMU (OUA), Laval (RSEQ) and Acadia (AUS), with Victoria bringing home this year's Canada West title. Conference semifinalists Carleton and UBC also make the trip to Calgary, as does Bishop's, who earned this year's at-large berth.

This is the second consecutive trip to the Final 8 for the Dinos and the ninth overall under head coach Dan Vanhooren. In all, Calgary has appeared at nationals now 18 previous times, hoisting the W.P. McGee Trophy just a few years ago in 2018.

2026 U SPORTS Championship Seeding:
1. Victoria Vikes (CW champions: 17-3 regular season, 3-0 playoffs)
2. Toronto Metropolitan Bold (OUA champions: 17-5, 3-0)
3. Laval Rouge et Or (RSEQ champions: 13-3, 2-0)
4. Acadia Axemen (AUS champions : 12-8, 3-0)
5. Bishop's Gaiters (at-large berth : 13-3, 1-1)
6. Carleton Ravens (OUA finalists: 17-5, 2-1)
7. UBC Thunderbirds (CW finalists: 15-5, 2-1)
8. Calgary Dinos (hosts: 12-8, 1-1) 

Friday, March 6, 2024 (all times Mountain)
12 p.m.: No. 7 UBC vs. No. 2 Toronto Metropolitan
2 p.m.: No. 6 Carleton vs. No. 3 Laval
6 p.m.: No. 1 Victoria at No. 8 Calgary
8 p.m.: No. 5 Bishop's vs. No. 4 Acadia

Consolation semifinals will kick off the action Saturday, with national semifinals taking place during the evening session. The Consolation Final (11 a.m.) and Bronze Medal Game (1 p.m.) are set for earlier in the day Sunday, with this year's U SPORTS National Championship game set to tip off at 5 p.m. 

Ticket information can be found at both usportstickets.ca or GoDinos.com/tickets, or by clicking here.

All 11 games of the championship will be streamed on CBC digital platforms in English and Radio-Canada digital platforms in French.

-UC-