The Duckworth Challenge

What it is
The Duckworth Challenge is the annual competition between the University of Manitoba and University of Winnipeg sports programs. Universities collect points for wins against the opposing university's teams in their respective sports. Select games are designated as Duckworth Challenge games and the points collected in those games will decide the winner of the annual Duckworth Challenge title. 

The Format
Events are held at both universities in Winnipeg and involve the sports of volleyball and basketball. The Duckworth Challenge now takes place all in one weekend, with four basketball games and four volleyball games running from Thursday to Saturday. The university whose teams win the most matches will be declared the winners of the Duckworth Challenge.

The Schedule
At the University of Manitoba (Investors Group Athletic Centre)

• Thursday, January 29, 2026: Basketball
  • Women's game @ 6:00 p.m.
  • Men's game @ 8:00 p.m.
• Get your tickets here
• Saturday, January 31, 2026: Volleyball
  • Men's game @ 5:45 p.m.
  • Women's game @ 6:00 p.m.
• Get your tickets here

At the University of Winnipeg (Duckworth Centre)

• Friday, January 30, 2026: Volleyball
  • Women's game @ 6 p.m.
  • Men's game @ 7:45 p.m.
• Saturday, January 31, 2026: Basketball
  • Men's game @ 3:00 p.m.
  • Women's game @ 1:00 p.m.

Duckworth Challenge Stats

Bisons' Duckworth Record
In the 2024-25 season, Manitoba won the Duckworth Challenge trophy 3-2 in games between the two schools. Overall, Manitoba's Duckworth Challenge 33-year record in all games stands at: 80-67-3 with the Bisons’ breakdown in women's soccer matches at 9-0-2; basketball games record at 25-41 (9-24 in women’s; 16-17 in men’s) and volleyball matches record at 45-21 (23-10 in women’s; 22-11 in men’s).

Duckworth Challenge "Firsts"
The Duckworth Challenge was started by the late Dr. Henry E. Duckworth (president of the University of Winnipeg from 1971-81 and Chancellor of the University of Manitoba from 1986-92) in an effort to profile the intense but friendly cross-town rivalry between the University of Winnipeg and the University of Manitoba. It originated in the 1991-92 season. The first games of the challenge were played on January 25, 1992 at the University of Manitoba (Bison East Gym), with Bison women's basketball winning 76-74 and Bison men's basketball beating the Wesmen 99-66. In the volleyball matches, Manitoba beat Winnipeg 3-0 in women's and 3-2 in men's action for the first sweep. 

Sweeps at the Duckworth Challenge?
Four total so far – Manitoba with three times in 1991-92 (4-0), 2009-10 (4-0) and in 2013-14 (5-0) – first-ever time for a 5-0 sweep; Winnipeg in 1992-93 (4-0)

The First Duckworth Challenge Soccer Match
With the inclusion of soccer from 2013-24, the two universities made the Duckworth Challenge into a competition of five games over three sports with the winner of the title in a best three out of five. If the soccer match ended up in a tie, the Duckworth Challenge reverted back to the tie-breaking formula if needed. Manitoba won 2-0 at home on Saturday. September 20, 2013 in the first match of women's soccer included in the Duckworth Challenge, and they never lost to the Wesmen on the pitch over 12 years. The Wesmen no longer fielded a women's soccer program beginning in 2025.

Non-conference, preseason matches in 2009-10
For the first time and only time in the Duckworth Challenge history, the basketball and volleyball games were part of the non-conference, pre-season schedule for both university teams during the 2009-10 edition.

Duckworth Challenge Title History

Manitoba: 20 (counting three ties)
Winnipeg: 13 (counting four ties)

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)

Tie-Breaker Info

A tie-breaker process was implemented in 2009-10. For one of the universities to win the event, one school seeks to win a minimum of three of the five games played. The tie-breaking formula will be used only if the women's soccer match ends in a tie. The tie-breaker was first used in the 2011-12 season and most recently in 2017-18.

Tie-Breaker Process

• The volleyball matches will be scored on a five points per set won basis, and the basketball games will be scored on an every point counts basis.
• Whichever university is ahead on the points would win the tie-breaker.
• If the points end up as a tie, the Duckworth Challenge title remains with the defending champion.