McGill University’s recent announcement to discontinue 25 sports teams after the 2025-26 season has drawn criticism from U Sports chief executive officer Pierre Arsenault, who described it as regrettable. The decision, made public last Thursday, followed an extensive evaluation process involving consultations with various stakeholders, both internal and external.
Arsenault emphasized the challenges faced by student-athletes in balancing academic and athletic responsibilities, acknowledging the disappointment this news brings to both athletes and coaches. He highlighted the limited options institutions sometimes face when making such difficult choices.
The decision to cut the sports programs for the upcoming season was based on findings from an audit conducted in 2024 and an external review in 2025, which revealed that the current sports structure was unsustainable. McGill assessed all its clubs and teams over several months using various criteria, including the RSEQ sport model, competitive viability, recruitment capabilities, and resource needs.
Among the sports teams facing elimination in 2026-27 are track and field, women’s rugby, and men’s volleyball, along with several others such as badminton, baseball, fencing, and more. McGill indicated that the continuation of its cheerleading and women’s flag football teams hinges on a potential exemption from the RSEQ in the next season.
Athletics Canada and Athletisme Quebec expressed disappointment over McGill’s decision, particularly highlighting the impact on track and field programs nationwide. As one of the few Canadian schools with an indoor banked running track, McGill’s move is seen as limiting opportunities for athletes across the country. They urged the university to reconsider and offered support in finding solutions to reinstate the affected programs.
Arsenault revealed that U Sports was only informed of the decision shortly before its public announcement, lacking detailed information. He emphasized the need to raise awareness about the significance of university sports and its broader impact beyond just student-athletes, aiming to inspire youth and secure future opportunities for aspiring athletes.