In a sweeping overhaul of its athletics program, McGill University has announced the discontinuation of more than a dozen varsity and competitive sports teams, marking one of the most significant contractions in decades. The changes, which will take effect for the 2026-27 academic year, were announced on Thursday, November 20, 2025.
The Decision and Its Rationale
The university's athletics department, led by Daniel Méthot, the director of sport programs, and Perry Karnofsky, the director of services, wellness programs and facility operations, stated that internal and external reviews concluded the current structure was unsustainable. The department cited limited facility space, budget pressures, and an inability to support its full roster of teams with existing staffing and operating budgets.
"Simply put, our unit can no longer effectively manage or support the same number of activities while maintaining the standards of excellence expected at McGill," the official statement read. While the announcement did not detail expected savings, it comes as McGill and other Quebec universities face financial pressures from provincial government policies, including out-of-province tuition increases and caps on international enrollment.
Which Teams Are Affected?
The list of discontinued sports is extensive and includes both men's and women's programs. The following varsity and competitive teams will be cut:
- Badminton
- Baseball
- Fencing
- Figure Skating
- Golf
- Logger Sports
- Nordic Skiing
- Sailing
- Squash
- Tennis
- Women's Field Hockey
- Women's Lacrosse
- Women's Rugby
- Men's Volleyball
- Men's and Women's Track and Field
This decision is particularly poignant given the university's storied history in track and field, with its stadium named after Percival Molson, a track-and-field star and 1904 Summer Games athlete.
Reaction and Remaining Programs
Reaction from Canada's sports community was swift and critical. A commentator on X called the reduction in development pathways "short-sighted," while former Canadian Olympic official Martin Goulet said he was "stunned." Broadcaster Tony Marinaro expressed sadness over the decision.
Despite the cuts, several major varsity programs will remain intact. These include:
- Hockey
- Basketball
- Swimming
- Football
- Soccer
- Rowing
- Cross-country
- Men's Rugby
- Men's Lacrosse
- Women's Volleyball
- Artistic Swimming
The university has encouraged students in cancelled sports to transition to student-run competitive clubs managed by the Students' Society of McGill University or the Macdonald Campus Student Society.
