Massive Changes Made To The U SPORTS Transfer Policies
+ Bills teaming up with MLSE, World Athletics Championships, Quick hits, Marquee Matchups and more
U SPORTS has announced a substantial reform in its eligibility policies that will take effect at the beginning of the 2026-27 season.
Quick rundown: Previously, student-athletes who were transferring programs were required to sit out one year from their latest date of competition with their former team, unless they were making considerable forward academic progression or were competing in sports such as cross-country, swimming, or track and field, which have existing exemptions to these policies.
The change: Student-athletes will now be able to transfer programs without forfeiting a year of competition.
Who it impacts: Student-athletes in either their first or second year of academic eligibility who are looking to transfer programs.
Why it matters: Those considering transferring programs now have more flexibility in their decision-making process. Without having to sacrifice a year of play, Canadian student-athletes are now free to make the choices that are right for them without having any barriers in the way.
With other aspects of Canadian University Athletics in question, such as student-athletes receiving full scholarships, and receiving compensation for their Name, Image, and Likeness. The recent changes in the U SPORTS transfer policies have raised the question of what other changes need to be made in the U SPORTS landscape to benefit the Canadian student-athlete.
Could this new reform spark further change in Canadian University Athletics?
Business Spotlight: The NFL is Getting a Little More Canadian 🏈 🇨🇦
With Canadian names continuing to make themselves known on NFL rosters, it only seems appropriate that the game continues to grow north of the border – just in a different way.
Just this past week, the Buffalo Bills announced a partnership with Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment (MLSE), expanding the organization’s reach.
The goal: to grow the game in Canada.
The partnership spans multiple layers, including youth football clinics, apparel and merchandise collaborations, watch parties, and themed game nights.
Let’s learn more.
Youth football & clinics: The backbone of this partnership is the Future of Football program, in which the Buffalo Bills and Toronto Argonauts team up to deliver youth football camps and clinics with the objective of growing the game across the younger demographic.
The two organizations launched their inaugural flag football camp on the same day they announced their partnership. With a key piece of this partnership emphasizing youth development, growing the game at the grassroots level within Canada seems to be the first step in securing a better future for football in Canada.
Apparel and merchandise collaborations: Canadian-based brand Peace Collective will be releasing a limited-edition Bills x Argos collection that will be made available to fans through the apparel company Real Sports Apparel.
Watch parties: The northern network of Bills Mafia will get to experience games together, as Real Sports Bar & Grill has now become the official watch party destination for the Buffalo Bills north of the border.
Themed games: The Argonauts will be hosting a Future of Football-themed game on October 4 to help celebrate the partnership between the two franchises. The game will include youth participants from the Future of Football Camp as guests, football legends Jim Kelly and Doug Flutie as attendees, and a commemorative Bills x Argos shirt for all those in attendance.
The future of Canadian football is growing.!
Canadians on the Track at the World Athletics Championships 🇨🇦
The 2025 World Athletics Championships run from September 13–21 in Tokyo, Japan — and you guessed it, 25 U SPORTS names will be competing.
Click on the post below to find out who is taking part, what events they’re competing in, and where they built their roots as U SPORTS athletes.
Canadian Sports Quick Hits:
The Canadian Women’s Rugby National Team is back with another win,pushing through to the World Cup semi-finals after a 46-5 victory over Australia.
The Maple Volleys are advancing to the Round of 16 at the FIVB World Championships after a 3-1 victory over Libya and a 3-0 upset over Japan.
Hec Crighton frontrunner? Montreal’s Pepe Gonzalez has been on a tear, averaging a 74% completion rate, 808 passing yards, 8 touchdowns, and 0 interceptions — all while leading his team to a 3-0 record.
Western’s Ethan Dolby is making a strong case as the early OUA MVP favourite. The nation’s leading rusher had a monstrous game this past week, piling up 230 yards and 4 touchdowns in a dominant 63-28 win over Carleton.
The UBC Thunderbirds women’s soccer team is a perfect 7-0 this seasonand has not lost a match since October 1, 2023.
A week of hat tricks: York’s Marco Sciortino scored 3 goals in a 4-0 victory over Windsor, while Calgary’s Efe Udolu-Joshua put away 3 goals in a 6-1 win over UBC Okanagan.