When the top women's university hockey programs in the country descend on Elmira, Ontario this week, the Waterloo Warriors and their community partners will be ready to provide an unforgettable celebration of the game.
For the second straight year, the University of Waterloo will play host to the 2026 Miller Waste U SPORTS Women's Hockey Championship, which runs from March 19-22 at the Woolwich Memorial Centre in Elmira. With 8 teams competing in 11 games over 4 days, it is a massive undertaking to showcase the present and future of women's hockey – but the Warriors are fortunate to have partners across Waterloo Region and beyond that are ready to rise to the challenge.
Building on their long-standing support of Warriors athletics, Miller Waste Systems, a leader in environmental services, returns as title sponsor for the second straight season. With a strong tradition of supporting impactful local community events, Miller Waste Systems will enhance the experience for the championship's participants, as well as the development of women's hockey programs at the participating universities.
"Miller Waste is humbled to stand behind the bench and cheer these remarkable student-athletes," said Joe Johnson, President of Miller Waste Systems. "The dedication, teamwork, determination and sportspersonship shown by these players reflects values we carry and respect at Miller Waste. As a 100%-Canadian owned company that is deeply connected to the communities we serve, it's an honour to help showcase the incredible talent in women's hockey and support opportunities that inspire the next generation of athletes."
The tournament is also supported by the Ontario Sport Hosting Program, a provincial government fund that aims to support the Ontario sport, recreation, and physical activity culture through project-based funding.
"University athletics are a cornerstone of our postsecondary system, giving student-athletes the opportunity to excel in the classroom while competing at a high level," said Neil Lumsden, Minister of Sport. "Ontario is proud to host eight of Canada's top university women's hockey teams here in Elmira, and our government is pleased to support the University of Waterloo in delivering this event with an investment through the Sport Hosting Program."
With the action set to take place at the Dan Snyder Arena inside the Woolwich Memorial Centre, the tournament is truly a region-wide event. Fittingly, Explore Waterloo Region has joined as an event partner, lending their extensive resources and support to make the championship into a world-class event.
"Explore Waterloo Region is pleased to continue its support of U SPORTS with its ongoing commitment to the University of Waterloo as an event partner for the 2026 Women's Hockey National Championships," said Allister Scorgie, Director of Sport Hosting for Explore Waterloo Region. "This event continues to reflect some of the best that Waterloo Region has to offer, including the charming Town of Elmira and its rural landscape, as well as a globally recognized academic institution in the University of Waterloo. We are pleased to welcome everyone back to Waterloo Region in 2026 and wish all competing teams the best of luck on the ice."
The theme for the championship week is "See Them, Be Them," with the goal of promoting female role models in the community, and empowering girls and women in sport. In support of that mission, Farm Mutual Re is sponsoring two community-based initiatives that will benefit the next generation of hockey players in the region.
Local minor hockey associations are offering discounted ticket packages via promo codes, where fans can receive a discounted rate. At the end of the tournament, the association that sells the most tickets will earn an additional $1,000 donation from Farm Mutual Re. And, during the four tournament quarterfinal games, Farm Mutual Re is sponsoring intermission scrimmages during the quarterfinals for local minor hockey teams, with free tickets for up to 60 players and guests.
"As a mutual organization, Farm Mutual Re exists to strengthen communities, and supporting student‑athletes is a natural extension of that purpose," said Amy Butler, Senior Vice President and CFO of Farm Mutual Re. "University sport builds leadership, resilience, and connection, qualities that help communities thrive for the long term. We're proud to sponsor the 2026 Miller Waste U SPORTS Women's Hockey Championship hosted by the University of Waterloo, and to support the continued growth of the women's game. We look forward to an exciting championship and wish all teams the very best as they compete for the national title."
Local minor hockey players will also have a chance to participate in the tournament's pre-game ceremonies as a flag-bearer, sponsored by Tri-Mach Group. For each of the tournament's 11 games, three young skaters will carry flags on the ice ahead of the competing teams.
The tournament will also offer community skates at McLeod arena inside the Woolwich Memorial Centre. The skates are free and open to anyone, and no ticket to the tournament is required. The Thursday, March 19 skate from 4:30-6:30 pm is sponsored by The C3 Group, and on Friday, March 20, at the same time, the community skate will be sponsored by Schlegel Urban Development. The final community skate of the weekend will be Saturday, March 21 from 1-3pm, sponsored by Conestoga Meats.
The operations of a tournament like this are also a huge undertaking, but the organizing committee is lucky to have partners such as Miller Thompson LLP, who will sponsor food service for the tournament's VIP area.
"As a national business law firm with a rich history in the Waterloo Region, Miller Thomson is proud to support the 2026 U SPORTS Women's Hockey Championship," said Andrew Roth, Office Managing Partner for Waterloo Region, Miller Thomson LLP. "This tournament showcases exceptional athletic talent while bringing communities together in celebration of women's sport. We are pleased to support an event that highlights leadership, resilience, and excellence – values that resonate within our firm and in the communities we serve."
Ticket packages available now
Tournament packages and single-day tickets are still available, but moving fast - a trend that will no doubt grow as the tournament draws near. Ticket discounts are also available for alumni across Canada who have an affinity partnership with TD insurance. For more info or tickets, go to usportstickets.ca.
