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Yates Cup
The Yates Cup
Yates Cup on display November 2013
Awarded forOUA champion in U Sports football
First awarded1898
Presented byOntario University Athletics
Current championsQueen's
Most titlesWestern Mustangs (35)[1]

The Yates Cup (French: La Coupe Yates) is a Canadian sports trophy, presented annually to the winner of the Ontario University Athletics football conference of U Sports. It is the oldest still-existing football trophy in North America, dating back to 1898 and surpassing both the Grey Cup and the Little Brown Jug in longevity.[citation needed]

The Yates Cup was donated by Dr. Henry Brydges Yates of McGill University.[2]

Until 1971 it was awarded to the winner of the Senior Intercollegiate Football League regular season, with playoffs occurring only if there was a tie for first place, or the second-place team had defeated the first-place team in league play.[citation needed] Since 1971, it is awarded to the OUA football champion.[3]

The winner of the Yates Cup goes on to play in either the Uteck Bowl or the Mitchell Bowl, depending on annual rotations.

Asteroid (12447) YatesCup is named after the Yates Cup.[4]

Yates Cup games

[edit]

Notes: From 1915 to 1918, the trophy was not presented due to World War I. From 1940 to 1945, the trophy was not presented due to World War II. From 1974 to 1978, due to a change in conference structure, the Yates Cup was presented to both an Eastern Division and a Western Division winner. In 1979 the Eastern and Western Division champions played each other in a Vanier Cup semi-final game, which also determined the Yates Cup championship. In 1980, the Cup returned to a single winner when the Eastern Division formed the independent OQIFC.

Year Date Champion Score Runner-up Score OT Host city Stadium Attendance Division
1898 Toronto No specific deciding game. Champion had most wins of the regular season.
1899 Toronto No specific deciding game. Champion had most wins of the regular season.
1900 Queen's No specific deciding game. Champion had most wins of the regular season.
1901 Toronto No specific deciding game. Champion had most wins of the regular season.
1902 McGill No specific deciding game. Champion had most wins of the regular season.
1903 Toronto No specific deciding game. Champion had most wins of the regular season.
1904 Nov. 19 Queen's 6 McGill 0 Ottawa Lansdowne Park 1,500
1905 Toronto No specific deciding game. Champion had most wins of the regular season.
1906 McGill No specific deciding game. Champion had most wins of the regular season.
1907 Ottawa No specific deciding game. Champion had most wins of the regular season.
1908 Nov. 21 Toronto 12 Queen's 0 Ottawa Varsity Oval
1909 Toronto No specific deciding game. Champion had most wins of the regular season.
1910 Toronto No specific deciding game. Champion had most wins of the regular season.
1911 Toronto No specific deciding game. Champion had most wins of the regular season.
1912 Nov. 16 McGill 14 Toronto 3 Ottawa Lansdowne Park 7,000
1913 McGill No specific deciding game. Champion had most wins of the regular season.
1914 Nov. 21 Toronto 17 McGill 13 Toronto Varsity Stadium 8,000
From 1915 to 1918, the trophy was not presented due to World War I.
1919 McGill No specific deciding game. Champion had most wins of the regular season.
1920 Nov. 20 Toronto 14 McGill 6 Kingston Queen's Athletic Grounds
1921 Toronto No specific deciding game. Champion had most wins of the regular season.
1922 Nov. 18 Queen's 12 Toronto 6 Montreal Molson Stadium 10,294
1923 Queen's No specific deciding game. Champion had most wins of the regular season.
1924 Queen's No specific deciding game. Champion had most wins of the regular season.
1925 Queen's No specific deciding game. Champion had most wins of the regular season.
1926 Nov. 27 Toronto 8 Queen's 0 Toronto Varsity Stadium 17,734
1927 Queen's No specific deciding game. Champion had most wins of the regular season.
1928 McGill No specific deciding game. Champion had most wins of the regular season.
1929 Nov. 16 Queen's 15 Toronto 5 Kingston Richardson Memorial Stadium
1930 Queen's No specific deciding game. Champion had most wins of the regular season.
1931 Western No specific deciding game. Champion had most wins of the regular season.
1932 Toronto No specific deciding game. Champion had most wins of the regular season.
1933 Nov. 18 Toronto 10 Queen's 3 Toronto Varsity Stadium 5,821
1934 Nov. 17 Queen's 8 Toronto 7 Toronto Varsity Stadium 12,087
1935 Nov. 16 Queen's 6 Toronto 4 Toronto Varsity Stadium 14,732
1936 Nov. 21 Toronto 11 Queen's 3 Toronto Varsity Stadium 16,685
1937 Nov. 27 Queen's 7 Toronto 6 OT Toronto Varsity Stadium 10,826
1938 Nov. 19 McGill 9 Western 0 Montreal Molson Stadium 13,000
1939 Western No specific deciding game. Champion had most wins of the regular season.
From 1940 to 1945, the trophy was not presented due to World War II.
1946 Western No specific deciding game. Champion had most wins of the regular season.
1947 Western No specific deciding game. Champion had most wins of the regular season.
1948 Nov. 20 Toronto 18 Western 7 Toronto Varsity Stadium 19,773
1949 Nov. 19 Western 12 McGill 9 Toronto Varsity Stadium 17,534
1950 Nov. 18 Western 24 McGill 2 Montreal Molson Stadium 23,000
1951 Toronto No specific deciding game. Champion had most wins of the regular season.
1952 Western No specific deciding game. Champion had most wins of the regular season.
1953 Nov. 21 Western 12 Toronto 8 Toronto Varsity Stadium 12,530
1954 Nov. 27 Toronto 9 Western 8 London J.W. Little Stadium n/a
1955 Nov. 12 Queen's 18 Toronto 0 Kingston Richardson Stadium 10,500
1956 Nov. 17 Queen's 4 Toronto 2 Kingston Richardson Stadium 10,000
1957 Western No specific deciding game. Champion had most wins of the regular season.
1958 Toronto No specific deciding game. Champion had most wins of the regular season.
1959 Western No specific deciding game. Champion had most wins of the regular season.
1960 Nov. 12 McGill 21 Queen's 0 Kingston Richardson Stadium n/a
1961 Nov. 18 Queen's 11 McGill 0 Kingston Richardson Stadium 6,580
1962 Nov. 17 McGill 15 Queen's 13 Kingston Richardson Stadium 4,290
1963 Queen's
1964 Nov. 14 Queen's 63 McMaster 6 Kingston Richardson Stadium 4,500
1965 Nov. 13 Toronto 21 Western 16 London J.W. Little Stadium 5,721
1966 Nov. 12 Queen's 50 Toronto 7 Kingston Richardson Stadium 7,579
1967 Toronto No specific deciding game. Champion had most wins of the regular season.
1968 Queen's No specific deciding game. Champion had most wins of the regular season.
1969 McGill No specific deciding game. Champion had most wins of the regular season.
1970 Queen's No specific deciding game. Champion had most wins of the regular season.
1971 Nov. 6 Western 13 Ottawa 0 London J.W. Little Stadium 4,000
1972 Nov. 11 Lutheran 38 Western 27 Waterloo Seagram Stadium 3,500
1973 Nov. 10 Laurier 48 Ottawa 4 Waterloo Centennial Stadium 2,500
1974 Nov. 9 Western 19 Laurier 8 Waterloo Centennial Stadium 3,500 W
1974 Nov. 9 Toronto 24 Ottawa 21 Toronto Varsity Stadium 5,000 E
1975 Nov. 8 Windsor 65 Laurier 8 Windsor South Campus Field 2,700 W
1975 Nov. 8 Ottawa 14 Toronto 7 Ottawa Lansdowne Park n/a E
1976 Nov. 6 Western 28 Laurier 14 London J.W. Little Stadium 8,000 W
1976 Nov. 6 Ottawa 22 Bishop's 20 Ottawa Mooney's Bay Stadium n/a E
1977 Nov. 5 Western 22 Laurier 17 London J.W. Little Stadium 7,000 W
1977 Nov. 5 Queen's 45 Bishop's 27 Kingston Richardson Stadium 5,000 E
1978 Nov. 4 Laurier 19 Western 14 London J.W. Little Stadium 8,000 W
1978 Nov. 4 Queen's 23 McGill 1 Kingston Richardson Stadium 7,000 E
1979 Nov. 10 Western 32 Queen's 14 London J.W. Little Stadium 9,500
1980 Nov. 8 Western 51 Laurier 28 London J.W. Little Stadium 8,000
1981 Nov. 14 Western 17 Guelph 7 London J.W. Little Stadium 8,000
1982 Nov. 6 Western 50 Toronto 21 London J.W. Little Stadium 5,500
1983 Nov. 5 Toronto 20 McMaster 16 Toronto Varsity Stadium 6,000
1984 Nov. 10 Guelph 31 Western 26 London J.W. Little Stadium 7,500
1985 Nov. 16 Western 19 Laurier 16 London J.W. Little Stadium 3,200
1986 Nov. 8 Western 49 Guelph 21 London J.W. Little Stadium 6,000
1987 Nov. 7 Laurier 28 Guelph 15 Waterloo Seagram Stadium n/a
1988 Nov. 5 Western 27 Laurier 16 London J.W. Little Stadium 5,000
1989 Nov. 4 Western 50 Toronto 20 London J.W. Little Stadium 6,000
1990 Nov. 10 Western 46 Toronto 31 London J.W. Little Stadium 7,000
1991 Nov. 9 Laurier 13 Western 12 London J.W. Little Stadium 7,500
1992 Nov. 7 Guelph 45 Western 10 Toronto SkyDome 6,245
1993 Nov. 6 Toronto 24 Western 16 London J.W. Little Stadium 7,100
1994 Nov. 5 Western 38 Laurier 36 OT Waterloo Seagram Stadium 6,056
1995 Nov. 11 Western 10 Laurier 9 Waterloo University Stadium 4,000
1996 Nov. 9 Guelph 23 Waterloo 13 Waterloo University Stadium n/a
1997 Nov. 8 Waterloo 30 Western 10 London J.W. Little Stadium 4,500
1998 Nov. 14 Western 47 Waterloo 41 London J.W. Little Stadium 5,532
1999 Nov. 13 Waterloo 32 Laurier 20 Waterloo University Stadium 6,500
2000 Nov. 11 McMaster 48 Laurier 23 Hamilton Les Prince Field 5,000
2001 Nov. 10 McMaster 30 Ottawa 22 Hamilton Les Prince Field 5,922
2002 Nov. 9 McMaster 33 Queen's 19 Hamilton Les Prince Field 7,000
2003 Nov. 8 McMaster 41 Laurier 17 Hamilton Ivor Wynne Stadium 12,464
2004 Nov. 13 Laurier 31 McMaster 19 Waterloo University Stadium 8,175
2005 Nov. 12 Laurier 29 Western 11 Waterloo University Stadium 5,915
2006 Nov. 11 Ottawa 32 Laurier 14 Ottawa Frank Clair Stadium 4,159
2007 Nov. 10 Western 34 Guelph 21 Guelph Alumni Stadium 8,500
2008 Nov. 8 Western 31 Ottawa 17 London TD Waterhouse 5,480
2009 Nov. 14 Queen's 43 Western 39 Kingston Richardson Stadium 7,253
2010 Nov. 13 Western 26 Ottawa 25 Ottawa Frank Clair Stadium 7,194
2011 Nov. 12 McMaster 41 Western 19 London TD Waterhouse
2012 Nov. 10 McMaster 30 Guelph 13 Hamilton Ron Joyce Stadium 5,400
2013 Nov. 9 Western 51 Queen's 22 London TD Waterhouse 5,805
2014 Nov. 15 McMaster 20 Guelph 15 Hamilton Ron Joyce Stadium 4,554
2015 Nov. 14 Guelph 23 Western 17 London TD Stadium 5,817
2016 Nov. 12 Laurier 43 Western 40 London TD Stadium 4,134
2017 Nov. 11 Western 75 Laurier 32 London TD Stadium 4,200
2018 Nov. 10 Western 63 Guelph 14 London TD Stadium 4,339
2019 Nov. 9 McMaster 29 Western 15 London TD Stadium 5,000[5]
2020 game cancelled due to 2019 coronavirus pandemic.[6]
2021 Nov. 20 Western 29 Queen's 0 Kingston Richardson Stadium 5,300
2022 Nov. 12 Western 44 Queen's 16 London Western Alumni Stadium 2,739
2023[7] Nov. 11 Western 29 Laurier 14 London Western Alumni Stadium 4,625
2024 Nov. 9 Laurier 51 Western 31 Waterloo University Stadium 5,000
2025 Nov. 8 Queen's 30 Laurier 27 Waterloo University Stadium 4,500

Championship titles

[edit]
The 1898 championship team from the University of Toronto for the inaugural year in the Canadian University rugby football league.
Team Wins
Western Mustangs 35
Toronto Varsity Blues 25
Queen's Golden Gaels 24
McGill Redbirds* 10
Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks 9
McMaster Marauders 8
Ottawa Gee-Gees 4
Guelph Gryphons 4
Waterloo Warriors 2
Windsor Lancers 1
York Lions 0
Carleton Ravens 0

Note*: McGill entered the Quebec Conference in 1971 and stopped competing for the Yates Cup. Instead, the conference championship ended in the Dunsmore Cup.

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Yates Cup

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
The Yates Cup is the championship trophy awarded annually to the winner of the (OUA) football conference, representing the pinnacle of intercollegiate football in , , and recognized as North America's oldest continuously awarded football trophy since its inception in 1898. Donated by Dr. Henry Brydges Yates, a medical graduate and former football player who later served as a and before his death in , the trophy was first presented to the as the inaugural champion of the Canadian Intercollegiate Rugby Football Union (CIRFU), the precursor to modern . Originally contested through a home-and-home series among founding members including McGill, Queen's, and , the Yates Cup evolved with the expansion of the league, which grew to six teams by 1968 and adopted a playoff format in 1971 to determine the OUA champion. Its awarding was interrupted during the World Wars—suspended from 1915 to 1918 and 1940 to 1944, with no champion named in 1945 due to a shortened season—yet it has been presented consistently otherwise, predating the by 11 years and symbolizing over a century of football tradition. The trophy's significance extends beyond competition, fostering rivalries among prominent programs; the hold the record with 35 victories, followed by the Toronto Varsity Blues with 25 and the Queen's Gaels with 24, while the 2025 edition marked Queen's first win in 16 years, defeating the Golden Hawks in the 117th contest. As part of U Sports, the OUA champion advances to the national final, underscoring the Yates Cup's role in elevating teams to national prominence.

History

Origins and Establishment

The Yates Cup was established in 1898 by the Canadian Intercollegiate Union (CIRFU), serving as the championship trophy for intercollegiate , which represented the early form of organized . The CIRFU, formed in 1897 to govern university-level competition, aimed to standardize and promote the among eastern Canadian institutions, fostering a structured league environment distinct from informal matches. The trophy, a silver cup, was donated by Dr. Henry Brydges Yates, a 1893 graduate of McGill University's who had played football during his studies. Yates, born in 1865 in , served as a lecturer in at McGill from 1898 to 1914; his contributions to medical education and his passion for athletics motivated the donation to symbolize excellence in the emerging intercollegiate sport. Tragically, Yates died on January 22, 1916, at age 50, from while serving as a in the Canadian Army Medical Corps during in . The inaugural competition involved three founding CIRFU members: , Queen's University, and the . These teams played a round-robin series to determine the champion, with the emerging victorious and receiving the first Yates Cup award. Early games under the Yates Cup followed rugby-style rules, featuring 15 players per side and prohibiting forward passes, with play emphasizing scrums, lineouts, and lateral ball movement; the forward pass was not introduced until rule changes in 1929, marking the gradual toward modern .

Evolution and Key Changes

Following its establishment in 1898 under the Canadian Intercollegiate Rugby Football Union (CIRFU), which initially included teams from McGill, Queen's, and , the Yates Cup competition shifted toward an Ontario-centric focus by the early 1900s as the league incorporated regional institutions such as the in 1905 and the in 1929. This reflected a growing emphasis on provincial rivalries, with the Royal Military College joining in 1913 to further solidify the base. The competition faced significant interruptions due to global conflicts, with no awards presented from 1915 to 1918 during and from 1940 to 1944 during , as intercollegiate play was suspended across participating universities. Additionally, the post-war recovery led to a shortened season in 1945, resulting in no champion being declared that year. Expansions in the mid-20th century marked key growth phases, including the addition of McMaster University and the University of Waterloo in 1968, which brought the league to six teams and prompted structural adjustments to accommodate the increased participation. By the late 1960s, this buildup culminated in the formation of the Ontario Universities Athletic Association (OUAA) in 1971, which doubled the league's size and introduced a playoff system to determine the champion, replacing the prior regular-season standings model. Scheduling challenges in the 1970s led to co-champions being awarded from 1974 to 1978, recognizing both Eastern and Western Division winners until a unified playoff format was refined. Further reforms came with the 1997 amalgamation of the OUAA and the Ontario Women's Intercollegiate Athletics Association, rebranding the as (OUA) to unify men's and women's sports administration. In 2017, the OUA integrated into the newly rebranded U Sports framework, formerly known as Canadian Interuniversity Sport, enhancing national coordination while preserving regional autonomy for the Yates Cup. These changes underscored the trophy's enduring role, celebrated in its 100th season in 2007 and reaching its 117th championship in 2025, when Queen's University claimed victory.

Competition Format

Participating Teams and Eligibility

The Yates Cup is awarded to the champion of the (OUA) football conference, which operates as the primary competitive league for university football in within U Sports, Canada's national governing body for university sport. The OUA football conference consists of 11 full member universities, all located in and maintaining active varsity football programs. As of 2025, the participating teams are: These teams represent the core membership eligible to compete for the Yates Cup each season. For regular season scheduling, the OUA divides its teams into East and West divisions to minimize travel distances across Ontario's geography, with each team typically playing four intra-division games and four inter-division games over an eight-game schedule. The East Division includes Carleton, , Queen's, , and , while the West Division comprises , Laurier, McMaster, Waterloo, Western, and Windsor. This structure ensures regional rivalries while promoting balanced competition. Eligibility to participate in OUA football and contend for the Yates Cup is restricted to full member institutions of U Sports that are based in and operate complete varsity football programs compliant with and national standards. Institutions must adhere to U Sports membership requirements, including academic and athletic governance policies, and maintain active participation in the OUA schedule. Non-Ontario teams have not been eligible since 1971, when transitioned to a Quebec-based , solidifying the OUA's focus on provincial competition. Over time, the conference has expanded through the addition of new Ontario-based programs, enhancing its competitive depth. For instance, the have competed in OUA football since 1968, while reinstated its varsity program in 2013, bringing the back into full conference play after a period of dormancy from 1999 to 2012. These developments reflect the OUA's growth to accommodate evolving university athletics landscapes in .

Playoff Structure and Championship Game

The Yates Cup postseason is determined through a structured playoff system following an 8-game regular season schedule for each team, during which squads compete in a mix of intra- and inter-division matchups across the East and West divisions. The top seven teams overall qualify for the based on conference records, with the #1 seed receiving a bye to the semifinals; seeding incorporates tiebreakers if needed. The quarterfinals feature matchups of #2 vs. #7, #3 vs. #6, and #4 vs. #5, hosted by the higher seed. Tiebreakers for seeding prioritize head-to-head results, followed by point differential in league play, and then the number of wins within the team's division. The semifinals pit the #1 seed against the lowest-seeded quarterfinal winner, with the remaining two quarterfinal winners facing each other; games are hosted by the higher remaining seed. The championship game, contested for the Yates Cup, pits the two semifinal winners against each other in a single-game format that has been in place since the introduction of playoffs in 1971. The game is hosted at the home site of the highest remaining seed, with kickoff typically scheduled for 1:00 PM local time. Recent editions have frequently been held at prominent venues such as University Stadium at Wilfrid Laurier University or TD Stadium at Western University; the 2025 championship took place on November 8 at Knight-Newbrough Field in University Stadium, hosted by the top-seeded Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks. As of 2025, the event is sponsored by BioSteel. The Yates Cup winner advances to the Mitchell Bowl, hosting or traveling to face the Canada West conference champion in a U Sports semifinal.

Championships

List of Winners

The Yates Cup has been awarded annually since 1898, with interruptions during periods of global conflict and the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in 117 championships by 2025.
YearWinner(s)
1898Toronto Varsity Blues
1899Toronto Varsity Blues
1900Queen's Golden Gaels
1901Toronto Varsity Blues
1902McGill Redbirds
1903Toronto Varsity Blues
1904Queen's Golden Gaels
1905Toronto Varsity Blues
1906McGill Redbirds
1907Ottawa Gee-Gees
1908Toronto Varsity Blues
1909Toronto Varsity Blues
1910Toronto Varsity Blues
1911Toronto Varsity Blues
1912McGill Redbirds
1913Toronto Varsity Blues
1914Toronto Varsity Blues
1915–1918No award (World War I)
1919McGill Redbirds
1920Toronto Varsity Blues
1921Toronto Varsity Blues
1922Queen's Golden Gaels
1923Queen's Golden Gaels
1924Queen's Golden Gaels
1925Queen's Golden Gaels
1926Toronto Varsity Blues
1927Queen's Golden Gaels
1928McGill Redbirds
1929Queen's Golden Gaels
1930Queen's Golden Gaels
1931Western Mustangs
1932Toronto Varsity Blues
1933Toronto Varsity Blues
1934Queen's Golden Gaels
1935Queen's Golden Gaels
1936Toronto Varsity Blues
1937Queen's Golden Gaels
1938McGill Redbirds
1939Western Mustangs
1940–1944No award (World War II)
1945No award (World War II)
1946Western Mustangs
1947Western Mustangs
1948Toronto Varsity Blues
1949Western Mustangs
1950Western Mustangs
1951Toronto Varsity Blues
1952Western Mustangs
1953Western Mustangs
1954Toronto Varsity Blues
1955Queen's Golden Gaels
1956Queen's Golden Gaels
1957Western Mustangs
1958Toronto Varsity Blues
1959Western Mustangs
1960McGill Redbirds
1961Queen's Golden Gaels
1962McGill Redbirds
1963Queen's Golden Gaels
1964Queen's Golden Gaels
1965Toronto Varsity Blues
1966Queen's Golden Gaels
1967Toronto Varsity Blues
1968Queen's Golden Gaels
1969McGill Redbirds
1970Queen's Golden Gaels
1971Western Mustangs
1972Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks
1973Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks
1974Toronto Varsity Blues and Western Mustangs
1975Ottawa Gee-Gees and Windsor Lancers
1976Ottawa Gee-Gees and Western Mustangs
1977Queen's Golden Gaels and Western Mustangs
1978Queen's Golden Gaels and Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks
1979Western Mustangs
1980Western Mustangs
1981Western Mustangs
1982Western Mustangs
1983Toronto Varsity Blues
1984Guelph Gryphons
1985Western Mustangs
1986Western Mustangs
1987Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks
1988Western Mustangs
1989Western Mustangs
1990Western Mustangs
1991Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks
1992Guelph Gryphons
1993Toronto Varsity Blues
1994Western Mustangs
1995Western Mustangs
1996Guelph Gryphons
1997Waterloo Warriors
1998Western Mustangs
1999Waterloo Warriors
2000McMaster Marauders
2001McMaster Marauders
2002McMaster Marauders
2003McMaster Marauders
2004Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks
2005Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks
2006Ottawa Gee-Gees
2007Western Mustangs
2008Western Mustangs
2009Queen's Golden Gaels
2010Western Mustangs
2011McMaster Marauders
2012McMaster Marauders
2013Western Mustangs
2014McMaster Marauders
2015Guelph Gryphons
2016Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks
2017Western Mustangs
2018Western Mustangs
2019McMaster Marauders
2020No award (COVID-19 pandemic)
2021Western Mustangs
2022Western Mustangs
2023Western Mustangs
2024Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks
2025Queen's Golden Gaels (defeating Laurier 30-27)

Records and Notable Achievements

The hold the record for the most Yates Cup championships, with 35 titles as of 2025. The Toronto Varsity Blues follow with 25 wins, the last coming in 1993. secured their 24th championship in 2025, marking a significant milestone for the program.
TeamChampionships
Western Mustangs35
Toronto Varsity Blues25
Queen's Golden Gaels24
The Mustangs also lead in consecutive victories, capturing three straight titles from 1980 to 1982 as part of a broader four-year streak that began in 1979. In contrast, Queen's endured the longest recent drought, going 16 years without a win from 2009 until their 2025 triumph over the Golden Hawks. Western dominates hosting records, having hosted 22 Yates Cup games, more than any other program. The Mustangs also boast the most championship appearances, exceeding 50 across the competition's history. Their frequent clashes with Laurier in the finals have fueled the "Wool Bowl" rivalry, named for the shared regional heritage and intense competition between the two institutions. Key achievements include Queen's double championship in 2009, when they won both the Yates Cup and the national . The 100th Yates Cup game in 2007 highlighted the trophy's enduring legacy as North America's oldest continuous football championship.

References

  1. https://tourismhamilton.com/media/2012/11/History-of-the-Yates-Cup.pdf
  2. https://www.rauzulusstreet.com/football/college/ontariochamps.htm
  3. https://news.westernu.ca/2023/11/western-mustangs-lift-yates-cup-for-record-35th-time/
  4. https://varsityblues.ca/honors/hall-of-fame/1993-football/261
  5. https://www.queensjournal.ca/mens-football-makes-history-winning-their-24th-yates-cup/
  6. https://www.kingstonist.com/news/queens-university-captures-yates-cup-for-first-time-in-16-years/
  7. https://oua.ca/sports/fball/2009-10/releases/5512.html
  8. https://westerngazette.ca/sports/history-of-the-yates-cup/article_fbddb8a8-a6cc-11e6-93c7-bffa54683c61.html
  9. https://oua.ca/about/about_us
  10. https://www.brantfordareasportshall.ca/members/honouree-individuals/football/Henry-Brydges-Yates
  11. https://www.veterans.gc.ca/en/remembrance/memorials/canadian-virtual-war-memorial/detail/4012613
  12. https://oua.ca/sports/fball/2010-11/releases/7517.html
  13. https://oua.ca/about/who_we_are
  14. https://en.usports.ca/information/about_cis/cishistory
  15. https://oua.ca/sports/fball/2025-26/championship_recap
  16. https://oua.ca/sports/fball/2025-26/schedule
  17. https://en.usports.ca/sports/fball/2025-26/schedule
  18. https://www.cbc.ca/sports/football/carleton-u-revives-football-program-1.1118861
  19. https://oua.ca/sports/fball/2025-26/standings
  20. https://oua.ca/sports/fball/2025-26/playoff_format
  21. https://oua.ca/sports/fball/2025-26/tiebreakers
  22. https://oua.ca/sports/fball/2025-26/championship
  23. https://3downnation.com/2025/11/08/not-so-golden-day-for-wilfrid-laurier-as-queens-wins-yates-cup-seven-other-thoughts/
  24. https://varsityblues.ca/sports/2008/7/28/FIGURE_0728085342
  25. https://gogaelsgo.com/sports/2013/7/30/FB_0730134927
  26. https://tourismhamilton.com/media/2012/11/History-of-the-YatesCup.pdf
  27. https://westernmustangs.ca/sports/2025/8/1/football-team-history.aspx
  28. https://gogaelsgo.com/news/2025/11/8/queens-football-wins-117th-yates-cup-first-championship-in-16-years.aspx
  29. https://news.westernu.ca/2010/11/mustangs-win-yates-cup/
  30. https://marauders.ca/news/2012/11/10/FB_1110121959.aspx
  31. https://westernmustangs.ca/news/2013/11/9/FB_1109135336.aspx
  32. https://marauders.ca/news/2014/11/15/FB_1115145905.aspx
  33. https://gryphons.ca/news/2015/11/14/FB_1114155904.aspx
  34. https://oua.ca/sports/fball/2016-17/releases/20161112rwxdpa
  35. https://westernmustangs.ca/news/2017/11/10/football-vs-laurier-11-11-17.aspx
  36. https://marauders.ca/news/2019/11/16/football-mcmasters-vanier-cup-run-ends-in-calgary.aspx
  37. https://westernmustangs.ca/news/2021/11/20/football-mustangs-shutout-gaels-29-0-in-113th-yates-cup.aspx
  38. https://westernmustangs.ca/news/2022/11/12/football-mustangs-crowned-yates-cup-champions-with-44-16-victory-over-queen-s.aspx
  39. https://westernmustangs.ca/news/2023/11/11/mustangs-football-are-115th-yates-cup-champions-with-29-14-win-over-laurier.aspx
  40. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bY2t9NensCE
  41. https://www.stadiumjourney.com/stadiums/varsity-stadium-s1335
  42. https://lfpress.com/sports/local-sports/yates-cup-laurier-golden-hawks-51-western-mustangs-31
  43. https://gogaelsgo.com/news/2009/11/14/FB_1114095015.aspx
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