The absolute best of American college basketball is coming north to take on Canada.
Canada’s senior women’s national team will host the 2026 NCAA champion UCLA Bruins on July 22 at the Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre in the return of ‘W’Hoop It Up’.
Landing UCLA is a massive draw for the summer showcase, with the Bruins fresh off their first-ever Division I national championship.
They dominated the March Madness tournament, beating South Carolina 79-51 in the title game, wrapping up a 37-1 overall record to claim the hardware.
The stop in Victoria will be the program’s first-ever game in Canada.
But for Canada’s women’s national team, Victoria is becoming a second home. This marks the fourth consecutive summer Canada has played at the downtown arena, facing Japan in 2023, Portugal in 2024, and Mexico last year.
Canada Basketball president Michael Bartlett noted that the city has become a special hub for the seventh-ranked program in the world.
“Victoria has become a special home away from home for our Senior Women’s National Team, and we’re thrilled to return once again this summer,” Bartlett said.
“The support we’ve received from the Greater Victoria basketball community over the past several years has been incredible.”
The exhibition provides a critical reset for the Canadian squad, failing to qualify for the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup during qualifiers in March. This marks the first time Canada has missed out on the World Cup since 2002.
Looking ahead, the exhibition against UCLA will serve as a runway for Canada as they begin ambitions towards the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.
“… this game against UCLA will provide an important opportunity for our athletes and coaching staff as we continue our preparation for the FIBA Women’s Olympic Pre-Qualifying Tournament,” Bartlett added.
Now, they get a premier test on a very friendly court against a dominant American program. Facing Canada’s senior, physical roster offers a heavy test for the Bruins as they prepare to defend their collegiate crown.
“We’re always looking for opportunities to get better, so it was a no-brainer to sign on for W’Hoop It Up,” UCLA’s head coach Cori Close said.
“It will be such a great experience for us to play against Canada Basketball’s Senior Women’s National Team and become closer as a team.”
Rifflandia, who recently announced the end of their long-term festival in Victoria, is co-producing the event, continuing a partnership that dates back to the Tokyo 2020 qualifying cycle.
Chief operating officer Vanessa Leong believes it will be the highest-profile women’s basketball game ever played in Canada.
“This game is a celebration of how far the women’s game has come and an opportunity for fans to witness some of the sport’s very best athletes on Canadian soil,” Leong said.
Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. Tickets start at $15 and go on sale June 19 at selectyourtickets.com.
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