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
Critelli Cup
Saturday, February 28th, 2026

How to Watch:

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

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

The Critelli Cup:                                                                                                     

The OUA Women’s Basketball Championship was first awarded during the 1971-72 season. What is now the Critelli Cup was named after long-time Brock Badgers head coach and sport administrator Chris Critelli in January of 2016.    

U SPORTS Berths:

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

Graphic on a blue background with boxes representing the OUA women's basketball bracket with the OUA Critelli Cup logo in the middle, and the OUA Quest for the Cup logo at the bottom.