The Duckworth Challenge is back for its 34th year, and our UWinnipeg Wesmen are prepared to battle the University of Manitoba Bisons for citywide bragging rights.
Across the three-day event, beginning Thursday, January 29, the Wesmen and Bisons men’s and women’s basketball and volleyball teams will face off in a series of home-and-home matchups with the Challenge trophy at stake.
But the trophy isn’t all that’s up for grabs.
This year, at a special launch event with university, city, and provincial leaders, it was announced the 2026 winner will see their team colours light up the iconic WINNIPEG sign at The Forks, making the victory visible to the entire city.
UWinnipeg students can attend all Wesmen home games at the Duckworth Centre for free by presenting their UWinnipeg student card.
The stakes are high, so don’t miss this epic showdown!
Game Schedule
Thursday, January 29 – Investors’ Group Athletic Centre (University of Manitoba)
- Women’s Basketball | 6 p.m.
- Men’s Basketball | 8 p.m.
Friday, January 30 – Duckworth Centre (University of Winnipeg)
Saturday, January 31 – Duckworth Centre (University of Winnipeg)
Saturday, January 31 – Investors’ Group Athletic Centre (University of Manitoba)
- Men’s Volleyball | 5 p.m.
- Women’s Volleyball | 6:45 p.m.
About the Duckworth Challenge
The Duckworth Challenge was established in 1991 by Dr. Henry Duckworth, who served as UWinnipeg’s second president and vice-chancellor from 1971 to 1981. He later served as chancellor of the University of Manitoba from 1986 to 1992.
The winner of the Challenge will be determined by the aggregate win total across the eight-game competition. If both programs finish the event with four wins, a winner will be decided by way of a tie-breaking procedure. The tie-breaker will see five Challenge points will be awarded per additional set won across men’s and women’s volleyball. In basketball, Challenge points will be awarded based on margin of victory in each contest – for instance, a five-point victory would equate to five Challenge points.
The University of Manitoba leads in all-time Duckworth Challenge victories, 20-13, and has won each of the past two titles. UWinnipeg last captured the Challenge crown in 2023.
