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Playoff Format

Graphic on blue background with large white text that reads, 'Playoff Format', below the OUA Quest for the Cup logo

What you need to know: 

  • 12 teams make the post-season
  • 3 Divisional Winners & Next Best Record make the top 4
  • Top 4 are seeded based on record and get a first-round bye
  • Seeds 5 through 12 are determined based on wins
  • Ties will be broken using the OUA Basketball Tie Breaking Procedure
  • All postseason matchups will be single game elimination, where the higher seed hosts
  • In the event of an upset- the bracket is NOT reseeded
MORE DETAILS

 

Key Dates: 

Round 1
Wednesday, February 18th, 2026
Quarterfinals
Saturday, February 21st, 2026
Semifinals
Wednesday, February 25th, 2026
Wilson Cup
Saturday, February 28th, 2026

How to Watch:

All OUA playoff games, including the Wilson Cup, are available to watch live on OUA.tv.

Tickets for all OUA playoff games and the Wilson Cup are sold by the host institution. Please visit the host school’s website for ticket information.

The Wilson Cup:                                                                                                     

The OUA Men’s Basketball Championship, the Wilson Cup, is the oldest intercollegiate basketball trophy dating back to its first season in 1908-09, awarded by Harold Wilson of Toronto.

U SPORTS Berths:

The OUA Champion & Finalist will attend the U SPORTS Championship.  

Graphic on a blue background outlining the OUA men's basketball playoff bracket with boxes of OUA logos representing the possible teams and the Wilson Cup logo at the top of page and the Quest for the Cup logo at the bottom of it.