Women's Rugby | 7/9/2026 12:00:00 PM

Coming off their first playoff appearance since 2019, the York University Lions women's rugby team is back and looking to build on the successes of their 2025 campaign. The Lions went 3-3 a year ago, their best record since that 2019 season when they went a perfect 4-0 during regular season play and won the OUA consolation final.

York's first test in 2026 will be its toughest, as they will host the Queen's Gaels on Saturday September 5 at 4:00 pm to open the season. The Gaels are coming off another OUA title, and have won three of the last four conference banners. Queen's has also medalled in six consecutive U SPORTS championships, setting a new national record.

The Lions full 2026 schedule is detailed below: 

• The Lions open against the Gaels, who enter 2026 on a 34-match regular season unbeaten streak. Queen's' last defeat came on Sept. 8, 2018, a 39-34 loss to the Guelph Gryphons. York will be looking for its first ever win against the perennial national power.

• The first road game of the year takes the Lions to Western to battle the Mustangs. The teams did not face each other a season ago after Western got the better of York early in the 2024 season. The Lions will be shooting for their first win over Western since a 33-19 triumph on Sept. 8, 2018.

• The red and white conclude their two-game road swings with a rematch of the 2025 season opener and the OUA quarter-final against the Laurier Golden Hawks. The Lions will be seeking revenge on the Hawks, who won both matchups last season, taking the opener 59-28 before holding off a valiant push from the Lions in the quarter-final to earn a 27-21 victory.

• The Lions return home to take on the Trent Excalibur for a third straight year at Alumni Field. York has taken each of the last two matchups between the two teams, including an emphatic 64-31 victory last September which clinched the Lions a postseason berth.

• The final road game of the season pits the Lions against the Waterloo Warriors. The two teams renew hostilities a year after the Lions eked out a thrilling 27-26 win over the Warriors, rallying late from down 26-10 inside the final 20 minutes to steal the victory.

• After opening the season against the OUA champions, York closes the campaign against the OUA silver medallists, the Guelph Gryphons on Senior Day. This game will be the first matchup between the Lions and Gryphons since Sept. 17, 2022.

YORK 2026 SCHEDULE:

Sept 5: vs. Queen's – 4:00 p.m.

Sept. 12: at Western – 1:00 p.m.

Sept. 19: at Laurier – 12:00 p.m.

Sept. 26: vs. Trent – 4:00 p.m.

Oct. 4: at Waterloo – 1:00 p.m.

Oct. 9: vs. Guelph – 7:00 p.m.

YORK 2026 MEN'S RUGBY SCHEDULE 

Sept. 12: at Brock – 1:00 p.m.

Sept. 19: vs. TMU – 2:30 p.m.

Sept. 27: at Waterloo – 12:00 p.m.

Oct. 3: vs. Toronto – 2:30 p.m.

Oct. 10: at Trent – 1:00 p.m.

Oct. 17: vs. RMC – 1:00 p.m.