U SPORTS has announced a major update to its eligibility policies that will reshape how student-athletes navigate transfers within Canadian university sport. Beginning in Fall 2026, student-athletes in their first or second year of eligibility will be permitted to transfer without penalty, a change designed to better support their academic and athletic journeys.

Previously, non-graduating student-athletes who transferred were required to sit out for 365 days from their last date of competition, unless they were making forward academic progression or competing in sports that already carried exemptions, such as cross-country, swimming, or track and field.

"This is an important step forward for U SPORTS and for our student-athletes," said Pierre Arsenault, Chief Executive Officer of U SPORTS. "The landscape of post-secondary sport is evolving, and our role is to ensure our policies reflect the needs of those we serve. By providing a more responsive system for student-athletes at the start of their academic careers, we are empowering them to find their best program fit—both in the classroom and in competition. We believe this decision puts student-athletes first, which is exactly where they belong."

The policy was developed after extensive consultation with conferences, member institutions, student-athletes, and the U SPORTS Eligibility Committee, before being formally adopted by the Board of Directors.

According to Tara Hahto, Director of Compliance & Eligibility at U SPORTS, the change directly reflects the reality many student-athletes face. "A meaningful amount of transfer activity takes place during the first two academic years of a student-athletes journey, often when they are working to find the right fit academically, athletically, and personally. This policy change responds directly to that reality. It gives student-athletes more flexibility and agency that reflects their evolving goals and circumstances while also maintaining the structure and integrity of U SPORTS competition."

To read the full release, the breakdown of the new transfer rules and FAQs, visit: www.usports.ca