The crosstown rivalry is back on. 

The Winnipeg Wesmen and Manitoba Bisons are excited to launch the 34th Duckworth Challenge, the annual series between the city's two universities for bragging rights and more. Details of the Challenge were announced Monday at a press conference at City Hall that included Mayor Scott Gillingham, Ministers Uzoma Asagwara and Renée Cable, university presidents Dr. Jino Distasio and Dr. Michael Bennaroch, and athletics directors Cara Isaak and Gene Muller.

The Duckworth Challenge, which pits the basketball and volleyball programs from both schools in a three-day showdown, starts Thursday and runs through Saturday, when all eight teams will compete in a day-long final sprint with games on both campuses. 

SCHEDULE (CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS TO THE BISONS GAMES, PRESENTED BY MANITOBA LIQUOR AND LOTTERIES)
JAN. 29 
Basketball @ U of M, 6/8 p.m. 
JAN. 30 
Volleyball @ U of W, 6/7:45 p.m. 
JAN. 31 
Basketball at U of W, 1/3 p.m. 
Volleyball at U of M, 5/6:45 p.m. 

The Duckworth Challenge was established in 1991-92 by Dr. Henry Duckworth, the former U of W President and U of M Chancellor, as a chance to put a spotlight on the heated rivalry between the two institutions. In that time, the Bisons have an 80-67-3 record, and Manitoba has won the last two Challenges. The Bisons and Wesmen have each won the Challenge three times in the last six years.  

For the first time, the winner of this year's Challenge will have their colours illuminated on the WINNIPEG sign at The Forks. This year, all eight games across both sports will count towards the Duckworth Challenge. Winning a minimum five of eight games will ensure a Challenge victory and, in the case of a tie, a  
point-margin system has been agreed upon.  

If both programs finish with four wins, point differential will declare the winner. In volleyball, five Challenge points will be rewarded to the winning team for each set they win above what their opponent wins. For example, a 3-1 victory would equate to 10 Duckworth Challenge points for winning two more sets. In basketball, the point differential will equate to single Duckworth Challenge points. For example, an 86-80 win would equal six Duckworth Challenge points.  

There is plenty at stake in this year's challenge. Just one win separates the Bisons men's volleyball team from the Wesmen, and just two wins separate Manitoba's women's basketball team from Winnipeg's. Additionally, Winnipeg's men's basketball team is just three wins ahead of Manitoba for first in Canada West's Prairie Division, while Manitoba and Winnipeg's women's volleyball teams have a storied history of close contests. 

DUCKWORTH CHALLENGE HISTORY 
2024-25: Manitoba (3-2) 
2023-24: Manitoba (3-2) 
2022-23: Winnipeg (4-1) 
2021-22: Manitoba (3-2) 
2019-20: (Winnipeg 3-2) 
2018-19: (Winnipeg 3-2) 
2017-18: (Tie 2-2-1) - Winnipeg retains trophy 
2016-17: Manitoba (3-1-1) 
2015-16: (Manitoba 3-2) 
2014-15: (Manitoba 3-2) 
2013-14: (Manitoba 5-0) 
2012-13: (Winnipeg 3-1) 
2011-12: (Tie 2-2) - Manitoba retains trophy 
2010-11: (Manitoba 3-1) 
2009-10: (Manitoba 4-0) 
2008-09: (Winnipeg 3-1) 
2007-08: (Tie 2-2) - Winnipeg retains trophy 
2006-07: (Tie 2-2) - Winnipeg retains trophy 
2005-06: (Tie 2-2) - Winnipeg retains trophy 
2004-05: (Winnipeg 3-1) 
2003-04: (Manitoba 3-1) 
2002-03: (Tie 2-2) - Manitoba retains trophy 
2001-02: (Tie 2-2) - Manitoba retains trophy 
2000-01: (Manitoba 3-1) 
1999-2000: (Manitoba 3-1) 
1998-99: (Manitoba 3-1) 
1997-98: (Manitoba 3-1) 
1996-97: (Manitoba 3-1) 
1995-96: (Winnipeg 3-1) 
1994-95: (Manitoba 3-1) 
1993-94: (Winnipeg 3-1) 
1992-93: (Winnipeg 4-0) 
1991-1992: (Manitoba 4-0