Challenges
With challenges taking place all day on Back the 'Birds, there are multiple opportunities to amplify your gift. Your donation on September 16 could help your favourite team or cause win an Overall Challenge, an Event Challenge or a Time Based Challenge. And don't forget to check out your favourite team or cause pages to find other challenges to make your gift go further.
Only gifts made via the backthebirds.ubc.ca website on September 16, 2025, are eligible for challenges. Please note that for each Back the ‘Birds Challenge, only one gift per donor per team will be counted. All times listed are Pacific Daylight Savings Time.
Overall Challenges
Challenge
Challenge Description
Award
Timeframe
The G.O.A.T.
Challenge
Challenge
The team or cause supported by the most donors on September 16 will receive $2,000.
Challenge Unlocked by - Women's Rugby
Challenge Unlocked by - Women's Rugby
$2,000
September 16
The Alumni
Challenge
Challenge
The team or cause supported by the most UBC alumni donors on September 16 will receive $1,000.
Challenge Unlocked by - Women's Volleyball
Challenge Unlocked by - Women's Volleyball
$1,000
September 16
The Veteran
Challenge
Challenge
The team or cause supported by the most donors on September 16 who also donated to Back the 'Birds 2024 will receive $1,000.
Challenge Unlocked by - Women's Rugby
Challenge Unlocked by - Women's Rugby
$1,000
September 16
The Season Ticket Challenge
The team or cause supported by the most donors who sign up for a monthly gift of $10 or more on September 16 will receive $1,000.
Challenge Unlocked by - Men's Volleyball
Challenge Unlocked by - Men's Volleyball
$1,000
September 16
The Superfan
Bonus
Bonus
Give online to two or more Back the 'Birds teams or causes on September 16 and you could be selected to unlock an extra $500 for one of your areas of support.
Challenge Unlocked by - Men's Rugby
Challenge Unlocked by - Men's Rugby
$500
September 16
The All-Canadian Bonus
To celebrate UBC's remarkable 223 Academic All-Canadian student-athletes from this past season, the 223rd donor on September 16 will receive $500 for their team or cause.
Challenge Unlocked by - Women's Basketball
Challenge Unlocked by - Women's Basketball
$500
September 16
Timed Challenges
Challenge
Challenge Description
Award
Timeframe
The Opener
Bonus
Bonus
Someone has to open the scoring! The team or cause that receives the first donation on September 16 will receive $500.
Challenge Unlocked by - Women's Soccer
Challenge Unlocked by - Women's Soccer
$500
September 16
The Warm-Up Challenge
All teams and causes supported by at least two donors before 8:00 am on September 16 will receive $250.
Challenge Unlocked by - Men's Field Hockey, Women's Field Hockey, Thunderbird Mental Health Initiative, Integrated Support Team, Men's Basketball, Baseball, Women's Basketball, Cross Country & Track and Field, Football, Golf, Women's Hockey, Men's Rugby, Women's Rugby, Men's Soccer, Women's Soccer, Softball, Swimming, Men's Volleyball, Women's Volleyball, Rowing
Challenge Unlocked by - Men's Field Hockey, Women's Field Hockey, Thunderbird Mental Health Initiative, Integrated Support Team, Men's Basketball, Baseball, Women's Basketball, Cross Country & Track and Field, Football, Golf, Women's Hockey, Men's Rugby, Women's Rugby, Men's Soccer, Women's Soccer, Softball, Swimming, Men's Volleyball, Women's Volleyball, Rowing
$250
12-8 am
The Early Lead Challenge
The team or cause supported by the most donors who give $25 or more from 8:00 am to 10:00 am on September 16 will receive $1,000.
Challenge Unlocked by - Women's Soccer
Challenge Unlocked by - Women's Soccer
$1,000
8-10 am
The Huddle Up Challenge
The team or cause that receives the most gifts of $100 or more from 10:00 am to 11:00 am on September 16 will receive $1,000.
Challenge Unlocked by - Women's Field Hockey
Challenge Unlocked by - Women's Field Hockey
$1,000
10-11 am
The Marilyn Pomfret Challenge
The women's team supported by the most donors from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm on September 16 will receive $1,000.
Challenge Unlocked by - Women's Soccer
Challenge Unlocked by - Women's Soccer
$1,000
11 am-12 pm
The Halftime
Challenge
Challenge
The team or cause supported by the most donors who give $5 or more from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm on September 16 will receive $1,000.
Challenge Unlocked by - Women's Soccer
Challenge Unlocked by - Women's Soccer
$1,000
12-1 pm
The Bus Phillips Challenge
The men's team supported by the most donors from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm on September 16 will receive $1,000.
Challenge Unlocked by - Men's Volleyball
Challenge Unlocked by - Men's Volleyball
$1,000
1-2 pm
The MVP
Bonus
Bonus
The team or cause that receives the most gifts of $250 or more from 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm on September 16 will receive $1,000.
Challenge Unlocked by - Cross Country & Track and Field
Challenge Unlocked by - Cross Country & Track and Field
$1,000
2-3 pm
The Dynamic Duo Challenge
Stronger together! Some of our varsity programs are working together to fundraise for both their men's and women's teams. The program supported by the most donors from 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm on September 16 will receive $1,000.
Eligible programs: Cross Country and Track & Field, Golf, Rowing and Swimming
Challenge Unlocked by - Rowing
Eligible programs: Cross Country and Track & Field, Golf, Rowing and Swimming
Challenge Unlocked by - Rowing
$1,000
3-4 pm
The Sideline Supporters Challenge
The team or cause supported by the most parents of UBC students who give $25 or more from 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm on September 16 will receive $1,000.
Challenge Unlocked by - Women's Soccer
Challenge Unlocked by - Women's Soccer
$1,000
4-5 pm
The Comeback Challenge
The team or cause that receives the most gifts of $50 or more from 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm on September 16 will receive $1,000.
Challenge Unlocked by - Women's Soccer
Challenge Unlocked by - Women's Soccer
$1,000
5-6 pm
The Home Stretch Challenge
The team or cause supported by the most donors who give $5 or more from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm on September 16 will receive $1,000.
Challenge Unlocked by - Women's Soccer
Challenge Unlocked by - Women's Soccer
$1,000
6-8 pm
The Buzzer Beater Bonus
Your final shot! The team or cause that receives the last gift on September 16 will receive $500.
Challenge Unlocked by - Men's Volleyball
Challenge Unlocked by - Men's Volleyball
$500
September 16
Student-Athlete Event Challenges
Challenge
Challenge Description
Award
Timeframe
Thunderbird Longest Plank Challenge
One student-athlete from each team will compete to hold the longest plank. The last one planking will secure $500 for their team.
Challenge Unlocked by - Swimming
Challenge Unlocked by - Swimming
$500
September 16
Obstacle Course Relay Challenge
Teams of three student-athletes will race through an obstacle course designed by the IST team. The fastest trio will score $500 for their team.
Challenge Unlocked by - Men's Hockey
Challenge Unlocked by - Men's Hockey
$500
September 16
Popular Vote
Challenge
Challenge
The chance for fans to get in on the action! Register in person to win a Thunderbird swag package and vote for your favourite team. The team with the most votes by 2:00 pm on September 16 will receive $500.
Challenge Unlocked by - Women's Rugby ($500); Runners Up - Men's Basketball ($250) and Cross Country and Track and Field ($250)
Challenge Unlocked by - Women's Rugby ($500); Runners Up - Men's Basketball ($250) and Cross Country and Track and Field ($250)
$500
September 16
Challenge icons images from Flaticon.com. This page has been designed using images from Flaticon.com