FB: 2023 season kicks off across Canada West on September 1st

Conference announces 2023 football schedule

CALGARY– The quest for the 86th Hardy Cup is only mere months away. On April 25th, the conference announced its schedule for the 2023 Canada West football season, which is set to kick off September 1st.

Canada West fans will be treated to a season-opening triple header. The University of Calgary Dinos playing host to the University of Alberta Golden Bears in the battle for Alberta, while the defending Hardy Cup Champions University of Saskatchewan Huskies begin their title defence in Winnipeg versus the University of Manitoba Bisons. The UBC Thunderbirds and University of Regina Rams face off in Regina to round out opening weekend.

The nine-week regular season sees all teams play each other at least once, with three repeat match-ups and one bye week. The schedule ends the same way it started, with each of the above-mentioned away teams drawing hosting duties this time around.

When the regular season is all said and done, the top four teams will earn spots in the CW semifinals on November 4th, before this date you can now circle in your calendar: the 86th Hardy Cup on November 11, 2023.

KEY DATES

  • Friday, September 1: Opening night of the 2023 CW football season
  • Saturday, October 7: Conference-wide bye week
  • November 4: Hardy Cup Semifinals*
    • *Dates determined by host field availability
  • November 11: CW champion crowned at the 86th Hardy Cup*
    • *Dates determined by host field availability

Due to the variability of hosting protocols at shared stadiums, exact dates for the 86th Hardy Cup and the Hardy Cup semifinals will be confirmed once hosting duties have been earned. As always, those will be given to the highest seeds in the semifinal and final match-ups.

Fans looking to watch gridiron action on Canada West TV – the only home for all CW football games – will be able to buy passes beginning in August when 2023-24 packages go on sale to the public.

2023 CANADA WEST FOOTBALL SCHEDULE

REGULAR SEASON

WEEK 1

Friday, Sept. 1: ALB @ CGY / 5:30 p.m. MDT / McMahon Stadium

Friday, Sept. 1: SSK @ MAN / 7:00 p.m. CDT / IG Field

Friday, Sept. 1: UBC @ REG / 7:00 p.m. CST / Mosaic Stadium

WEEK 2

Friday, Sept. 8: REG @ SSK / 7:00 p.m. CST / Griffiths Stadium in Nutrien Park

Friday, Sept. 8: MAN @ ALB / 7:00 p.m. MDT / Foote Field

Saturday, Sept. 9: CGY@ UBC / 1:00 p.m. PDT / Thunderbird Stadium

WEEK 3

Friday, Sept. 15: ALB @ SSK / 7:00 p.m. CST / Griffiths Stadium in Nutrien Park

Saturday, Sept. 16: MAN @ UBC / 1:00 p.m. PDT / Thunderbird Stadium

Saturday, Sept. 16: CGY @ REG / 2:00 p.m. CST / Mosaic Stadium

WEEK 4

Friday, Sept. 22: SSK @ CGY/ 6:00 p.m. MDT / McMahon Stadium

Friday, Sept. 22: ALB @ UBC / 6:00 p.m. PDT / Thunderbird Stadium

Saturday, Sept. 23: REG @ MAN / 2:00 p.m. CDT / IG Field

WEEK 5

Friday, Sept. 29: UBC @ SSK / 7:00 p.m. CST / Griffiths Stadium in Nutrien Park

Friday, Sept. 29: REG @ ALB / 7:00 p.m. MST / Foote Field

Sunday, Oct. 1: CGY@ MAN / 2:00 p.m. CDT / IG Field

WEEK 6 – BYE WEEK

WEEK 7

Saturday, Oct. 14: SSK@ ALB / 1:00 p.m. MDT / Foote Field

Saturday, Oct. 14: MAN @ REG / 2:00 p.m. CST / Mosaic Field

Saturday, Oct. 14: UBC @ CGY / 2:00 p.m. MDT / McMahon Stadium

WEEK 8

Friday, Oct. 20: ALB @ MAN / 7:00 p.m. CDT / IG Field

Saturday, Oct. 21: REG @ UBC / 1:00 p.m. PDT / Thunderbird Stadium

Saturday, Oct. 21: CGY @ SSK / 4:00 p.m. CST / Griffiths Stadium in Nutrien Park

WEEK 9

Saturday, Oct. 28: SSK @ REG / 1:00 p.m. CST / Mosaic Stadium

Saturday, Oct. 28: UBC @ ALB / 1:00 p.m. MDT / Foote Field

Saturday, Oct. 28: MAN @ CGY / 2:00 p.m. MDT / McMahon

PLAYOFFS

HARDY CUP SEMIFINALS

Saturday, Nov. 4: No. 4 @ No. 1 / No. 3 @ No. 2

86TH HARDY CUP

Saturday, Nov. 11: semifinal winners @ highest remaining seed

 

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About Canada West

Since 1972, Canada West (CW) has been a leader in Canadian university sport, working to provide our student-athletes the opportunities to excel in sport, the classroom, and their communities. CW and our 17 members from across British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba collectively carry on a legacy of competitive excellence, as our champions proudly go on to represent the conference at U SPORTS national championships.

Canada West – training leaders, building champions.