{{short description|Peruvian football club}} {{Redirect|Universitario}} {{Use dmy dates|date=December 2019}} {{Infobox football club | clubname = Club Universitario de Deportes | image = Logo_oficial_de_Universitario.svg | image_size = 205px | nickname = ''Los Cremas'' (The Creams)<br />''Los Merengues'' | short name = | founded = 1924 | stadium = Estadio Monumental "U" | president = | chairman = Álvaro Barco | chrtitle = CEO | manager = Héctor Cúper | league = Liga 1 | season = 2025 | position = Liga 1, 1st of 19 | website = {{URL|https://universitario.pe/}} | pattern_la1=_universitario26h | pattern_b1=_universitario26h | pattern_ra1=_universitario26h | pattern_sh1=_shorts | pattern_so1=_universitario26h | leftarm1=FEFAEB | body1=FEFAEB | rightarm1=FEFAEB | shorts1=FEFAEB | socks1=000000 | pattern_la2=_universitario26a | pattern_b2=_universitario26a | pattern_ra2=_universitario26a | pattern_sh2=_universitario26a | pattern_so2=_universitario26a | leftarm2=541221 | body2=541221 | rightarm2=541221 | shorts2=000000 | socks2=541221 | pattern_la3=_left | pattern_b3=_universitario25t | pattern_ra3=_right | pattern_sh3=_shorts | pattern_so3=_universitario25t | leftarm3=FFA275 | body3=FFA275 | rightarm3=FFA275 | shorts3=510F11 | socks3=FFA275 | current = }} {{Club Universitario de Deportes active departments}} '''Club Universitario de Deportes''' is a Peruvian professional sports club, in the capital city of Lima. It is primarily known for its football club, which has competed in Liga 1, the top tier of Peruvian football, since 1928. Popularly known as '''Universitario''', they are one the most successful teams in Peruvian football, with 29 titles, and have never been relegated. The club was founded on 7 August 1924 under the name '''Federación Universitaria''' by students of the National University of San Marcos, but was forced to rename itself in 1931.<ref name="RSSSF">{{cite web |url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesu/universitario.html |title=Universitario de Deportes |last=Nieto Tarazona |first=Carlos Manuel |work=RSSSF |date=29 January 2009 |access-date=30 March 2009 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090410035224/http://rsssf.com/tablesu/universitario.html |archive-date=10 April 2009}}</ref>
The club won its first Peruvian title in 1929, one year after its debut in the first division. The club won its first double in the 1945 and 1946 seasons and won its first treble after conquering the 2000 season.<ref>{{cite news |title=Revive el fantástico tricampeonato de Universitario de Deportes |url=https://elbocon.pe/futbol-peruano/tricampeonato-universitario-de-deportes-171439/?ref=ebr |publisher=El Bocón |language=es |date=7 August 2018 |access-date=13 April 2020 |archive-date=4 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230404102407/https://elbocon.pe/futbol-peruano/tricampeonato-universitario-de-deportes-171439/?ref=ebr |url-status=live}}</ref> Since then, Universitario has won twenty-nine first-division titles and was the first Peruvian club, and the Pacific, to reach the final of the Copa Libertadores in 1972.<ref name="Libertadores 72">{{cite web |url=http://jaimepulgarvidal.blogspot.com/2007/03/universitario-de-deportes-finalista-de.html |title=Universitario de Deportes finalista de la Copa Libertadores de América de 1972 |access-date=21 October 2007 |date=7 March 2007 |last=Pulgar-Vidal Otálora |first=Jaime |language=es |trans-title=Universitario de Deportes 1972 Copa Libertadores finalist |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081005153918/http://jaimepulgarvidal.blogspot.com/2007/03/universitario-de-deportes-finalista-de.html |archive-date=5 October 2008}}</ref> Universitario is one of the two most popular teams in Peru.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.elcomercio.com.pe/edicionimpresa/Html/2007-08-05/imecnacional0765459.html |title=Nuestras aspiraciones y verdades |last=Peralta Liñán |first=Norka |publisher=El Comercio |date=5 August 2007 |access-date=28 June 2008 |language=es |trans-title=Our aspirations and truths |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927204844/http://www.elcomercio.com.pe/edicionimpresa/Html/2007-08-05/imecnacional0765459.html |archive-date=27 September 2007}}</ref><ref name="CPI 2008">{{cite web |url=http://www.cpi.com.pe/descargas/OPNA20080526.pdf |title=Equipo de futbol de la liga profesional del cual es simpatizante o hincha |last=Compañía Peruana de Estudios de Mercado y Opinión Pública |date=26 May 2008 |work=Estudio de Opinión Pública a Nivel Perú Urbano |page=49 |language=es |trans-title=Professional league football team you are a sympathizer or fan of |access-date=17 September 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722061950/http://www.cpi.com.pe/descargas/OPNA20080526.pdf |archive-date=22 July 2011}}</ref> Universitario's youth team is U América FC which currently participates in the Copa Perú. According to the International Federation of Football History and Statistics, an international organization recognized by FIFA, Universitario was the best Peruvian club of the 20th century and the 28th most successful in South America.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.iffhs.de/?32b0cfd380ff73117fe2c0bf23c17e23a09e33b17f7370eff3702bb1c2bbb6e20e52c00f23808f15 |title=South America's club of the Century |work=IFFHS official website |access-date=17 September 2009 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090913063327/http://www.iffhs.de/?32b0cfd380ff73117fe2c0bf23c17e23a09e33b17f7370eff3702bb1c2bbb6e20e52c00f23808f15 |archive-date=13 September 2009}}</ref>
In the year 2000, they opened the 80,093-seat Estadio Monumental, currently the largest stadium in Peru and second-largest in South America, retiring their smaller Estadio Teodoro Lolo Fernández which was converted to a public training ground used by the club and the reserve team.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-02-03 |title=¿Cuáles son los estadios de fútbol más grandes que tiene el Perú? |url=https://www.elfutbolero.com.pe/porelmundo/cuales-son-los-estadios-de-futbol-mas-grandes-que-tiene-el-peru-20250203-61398.html |access-date=2025-03-09 |website=El Futbolero Perú |language=es-PE}}</ref>
Universitario and Alianza Lima participate in the Peruvian Clásico, which has its roots in the club's first participation in the Peruvian Primera División in 1928.<ref name="zdf2">{{cite web |date=26 September 2007 |title=ASI NACÍO EL CLÁSICO. A BASTONAZOS |url=http://cronicasdefutbolperuano.blogspot.com/2007/09/asi-naci-el-clsico-bastonazos.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080509121149/http://cronicasdefutbolperuano.blogspot.com/2007/09/asi-naci-el-clsico-bastonazos.html |archive-date=9 May 2008 |access-date=13 April 2020 |publisher=CRONICAS DE FUTBOL PERUANO |language=es |df=dmy-all}}</ref> The rivalry is among the fiercest on the continent and is the oldest and largest rivalry in Peru. It also has rivalries with Sporting Cristal, Deportivo Municipal, and Sport Boys.
Universitario has the most important soccer infrastructure in Peru, with Estadio Monumental, Lolo Fernández and Campo Mar as venues to train and practice not just football but a variety of other sports.
Along with a men's football team, Universitario has a volleyball, futsal (indoor football), and women's football team. It also has a women's and men's football reserves team.
==History==
===Foundation & early years (1924–1927)=== The club was founded on 7 August 1924 as ''Federación Universitaria'' also known as "Federación Deportivo Universitaria" or "Federación Universitaria de Fútbol" (actual FEDUP) by students and professors of the National University of San Marcos such as José Rubio, the first president, and Dr. Luis Málaga, the creator of the club crest. Others present during the foundation were Plácido Galindo, Eduardo Astengo,<ref>{{Cite web |last=GrupoRPP |date=2019-08-07 |title=Universitario de Deportes: los 95 jugadores que marcaron la historia del club crema (PARTE 1) |url=https://rpp.pe/futbol/descentralizado/universitario-de-deportes-los-95-jugadores-que-marcaron-la-historia-del-club-crema-noticia-1213090 |access-date=2022-10-06 |website=RPP |language=es |archive-date=6 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221006080242/https://rpp.pe/futbol/descentralizado/universitario-de-deportes-los-95-jugadores-que-marcaron-la-historia-del-club-crema-noticia-1213090 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Eduardo "El Toro" Astengo, leyenda de la "U" |url=https://universitario.pe/noticias/historia-jugador/eduardo-el-toro-astengo-leyenda-de-la-u |access-date=2022-10-06 |website=Universitario de Deportes |language=es |archive-date=6 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221006080244/https://universitario.pe/noticias/historia-jugador/eduardo-el-toro-astengo-leyenda-de-la-u |url-status=live}}</ref> Mario de las Casas,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mario de las Casas: capitán, entrenador y presidente de la "U" |url=https://universitario.pe/noticias/historia-jugador/mario-de-las-casas-capitan-entrenador-y-presidente-de-la-u#:~:text=El%2012%20de%20agosto%20de,Sport%20Tarapac%C3%A1%20Ferrocarril%20hasta%201924. |access-date=2022-10-06 |website=Universitario de Deportes |date=12 August 2020 |language=es |archive-date=6 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221006080249/https://universitario.pe/noticias/historia-jugador/mario-de-las-casas-capitan-entrenador-y-presidente-de-la-u#:~:text=El%2012%20de%20agosto%20de,Sport%20Tarapac%C3%A1%20Ferrocarril%20hasta%201924. |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Mario de Las Casas: El fondo es su sitio - De Chalaca {{!}} Futbol para el que la conoce |url=https://dechalaca.com/especiales-dechalaca/el-club-de-los-100/mario-de-las-casas-el-fondo-es-su-sitio |access-date=2022-10-06 |website=dechalaca.com |archive-date=13 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190513020301/https://dechalaca.com/especiales-dechalaca/el-club-de-los-100/mario-de-las-casas-el-fondo-es-su-sitio |url-status=live}}</ref> Alberto Denegri, Luis de Souza Ferreira and Andrés Rotta. At first, Federacion Universitaria was a small league that held tournaments between the faculty departments of the university.<ref name="Historia U">{{cite web |title=Historia del Club Universitario de Deportes |language=es |trans-title=History of Club Universitario de Deportes |publisher=dalecrema.4t.com |url=http://dalecrema.4t.com/archivos/historia.htm |access-date=20 October 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120305112606/http://dalecrema.4t.com/archivos/historia.htm |archive-date=5 March 2012}}</ref>
The National Sports Committee (''El Comité Nacional de Deportes'')—the highest-ranking sports committee of Peru at the time—recognized ''Federación Universitaria'' as an official league; along with other small leagues in Lima and Callao. They all joined the Peruvian Football Federation. Although there was no requirement to play a tournament to be promoted to the Primera División, the club did not play in it between 1924 and 1927. During this period it only played friendly matches with other teams.
===The amateur era (1928–1950)=== In 1928, the Peruvian Football Federation allowed the club to enter the Peruvian Primera División, the country's premier division. The club surprised opposing and supporting fans that year because they were the runners-up of the season. During that season, on 23 September 1928, Universitario played the first clásico with Alianza Lima, the defending champion of the season, and won 1–0. However, the team lost to Alianza in an end-of-season play-off for the league title after drawing 1–1 in the first leg and losing 2–0 in the second leg. The following year Universitario won its first season title and was crowned Peruvian champion, preventing ''los Blanquiazules'' from winning a third consecutive title.<ref name="Historia U"/>
[[File:Primer equipo campeón de Universitario de Deportes.jpg|thumb|left|250px|The Universitario squad that won their first Primera División title in 1929: Alva; C. Galindo, Rotta, Denegri, P. Galindo, Astengo, M. Pacheco, P. Pacheco, Góngora, Cillóniz and Souza Ferreira]]
In 1931, the rector of the university, José Antonio Encinas, forbade the club to use the name ''Federación Universitaria''. As a result, the club changed its name to ''Club Universitario de Deportes'' retaining the symbolic "U" in their name.<ref name="Historia U"/> In that same year, 18-year-old Teodoro Fernández, historically known as "Lolo" Fernández, debuted as a regular player of the team<ref>{{cite web |title=Teodoro Lolo Fernández |publisher=peru.com |language=es |url=http://www.peru.com/futbol/seleccion/historia/futbolistas/tfernandez.asp |access-date=20 July 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080811135908/http://www.peru.com/futbol/seleccion/historia/futbolistas/tfernandez.asp |archive-date=11 August 2008}}</ref> in an international friendly against the Deportes Magallanes of Chile.
thumb|right|200px|Fernández in his first season with Universitario
Universitario's second title, in 1934, generated controversy because according to the season regulations, the season champion would be determined by the points earned by the senior teams and a fraction of the respective reserve teams.<ref name="tablasperu">{{cite web |title=Peru – List of Final Tables |first=José Luis |last=Pierrend |year=2007 |url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesp/peruhist.html |access-date=20 April 2009 |url-status=live |website=RSSSF |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100102113409/http://rsssf.com/tablesp/peruhist.html |archive-date=2 January 2010}}</ref> Under these regulations, Alianza Lima would be league champions; however, both senior teams had individually attained six wins, one draw, and one loss and the determining factor was the points obtained in the reserve league. Universitario's officials asked that a play-off between the first division teams be played to determine the season champion.<ref name="amateur34">{{cite web |title=Campeón Amateur 1934 |first=Carlos |last=Nieto Tarazona |year=2004 |url=http://www.daleucampeon.4t.com/universitario_de_deportes1934.htm |publisher=daleucampeon.4t.com |language=es |trans-title=1934 Amateur Champion |access-date=15 April 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170807071924/http://www.daleucampeon.4t.com/universitario_de_deportes1934.htm |archive-date=7 August 2017}}</ref> Alianza Lima agreed to the play-off match which was subsequently won by Universitario with a score of 2–1. But according to other sources, this title Universitario won was not the league title itself, but a secondary title; thus creating controversy. Because of that, Alianza Lima considered itself as the champion of this year.<ref>{{cite web |title=Campeón Amateur 1939 |first=Carlos |last=Nieto Tarazona |year=2005 |url=http://www.daleucampeon.4t.com/universitario_de_deportes1939.htm |publisher=daleucampeon.4t.com |language=es |trans-title=1939 Amateur Champion |access-date=20 March 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170807060159/http://www.daleucampeon.4t.com/universitario_de_deportes1939.htm |archive-date=7 August 2017}}</ref> However, the Peruvian Football Federation and the Sports Association of Professional Football, both recognize the title of this year belong to Universitario.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fpf.com.pe/f_home.asp?cpd=235 |title=Untitled Document |access-date=3 January 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120903131851/http://www.fpf.com.pe/f_home.asp?cpd=235 |archive-date=3 September 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.adfp.org.pe/equipo.aspx?id_equipo=016 |title=ADFP-Clubes |access-date=5 January 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121129051327/http://www.adfp.org.pe/equipo.aspx?id_equipo=016 |archive-date=29 November 2012}}</ref><ref>Sportive Association of Professional Football (Perú), Memorial Book of Gold 1912–2012, ADFP, Azagraphic Perú SAC, Lima, 2012, p. 21.</ref> Furthermore, in 2012, FIFA published an article in which Universitario appears holding the 1934 championship.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/classicfootball/clubs/club=1891320/ |title=Live Scores - Clubs: Universitario |last=FIFA.com |website=FIFA.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141018023230/http://www.fifa.com/classicfootball/clubs/club=1891320/ |archive-date=18 October 2014}}</ref>
The 1941 season included eight clubs and was played in 2 legs. However, by the twelfth round, the tournament was suspended due to the participation of the national team in the South American Championship. Once the season resumed, Universitario de Deportes reached the title after winning their last two games against Atlético Chalaco and Alianza Lima, 1–0 and 3–1 respectively. Back-to-back titles in 1945 and 1946, led to the club's first ''bicampeonato'' thanks to the offensive trio formed by Víctor Espinoza, Teodoro Fernández and his brother Eduardo Fernández; the three players accounted for 41 goals.<ref name="amateur41">{{cite web |title=Campeón Amateur 1941 |first=Carlos |last=Nieto Tarazona |year=2004 |url=http://www.daleucampeon.4t.com/universitario_de_deportes1941.htm |publisher=daleucampeon.4t.com |language=es |trans-title=1941 Amateur Champion |access-date=20 March 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170807072109/http://www.daleucampeon.4t.com/universitario_de_deportes1941.htm |archive-date=7 August 2017}}</ref> The following season, in its worst performance in the amateur era, finished in a mediocre eighth place with Sporting Tabaco and only staved off relegation because both teams refused to play a play-off match to determine the relegated team.<ref name="tablasperu" /><ref>{{cite web |title=Campaña 1947 |first=Carlos |last=Nieto Tarazona |year=2005 |url=http://www.daleucampeon.4t.com/universitario_de_deportes1947.htm |publisher=daleucampeon.4t.com |language=es |trans-title=1947 Amateur Champion |access-date=20 March 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170807073755/http://www.daleucampeon.4t.com/universitario_de_deportes1947.htm |archive-date=7 August 2017}}</ref> Hence, the organizing association of the time decided to suspend relegation for the season.<ref>{{cite web |title=Aquí debió escribirse un nuevo clásico |author=Raúl Behr |year=2008 |url=http://dechalaca.com/content/view/1571/72/ |publisher=dechalaca.com |language=es |trans-title=A new derby should have been written here |access-date=20 March 2009 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090809132353/http://dechalaca.com/content/view/1571/72 |archive-date=9 August 2009}}</ref> In 1949, the club celebrated its twenty-fifth anniversary by winning the championship after winning its last match against Atlético Chalaco 4–3.<ref>{{cite web |title=Campeón Amateur 1949 |first=Carlos |last=Nieto Tarazona |year=2005 |url=http://www.daleucampeon.4t.com/universitario_de_deportes1949.htm |trans-title=1949 Amateur Champion |publisher=daleucampeon.4t.com |language=es |access-date=20 March 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170807072151/http://www.daleucampeon.4t.com/universitario_de_deportes1949.htm |archive-date=7 August 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Campeon 1949 - Club Universitario de Deportes - DALEUCAMPEON |url=http://www.daleucampeon.com/universitario_de_deportes1949.htm#:~:text=Lima,%2013-11-1949&text=El%20Club%20Universitario%20de%20Deportes%20derrot%C3%B3%203%20a%201%20al,Alberto%20Terry%20y%20Carlos%20Valdivia. |access-date=2022-06-23 |website=www.daleucampeon.com |archive-date=30 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220930010324/http://www.daleucampeon.com/universitario_de_deportes1949.htm#:~:text=Lima,%2013-11-1949&text=El%20Club%20Universitario%20de%20Deportes%20derrot%C3%B3%203%20a%201%20al,Alberto%20Terry%20y%20Carlos%20Valdivia. |url-status=live}}</ref>
In 1950, the last championship in the amateur era took place, where ''La U'' finished fifth after nine wins, two draws and seven defeats.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.daleucampeon.4t.com/universitario_de_deportes1950.htm |title=Campaña 1950 |last=Nieto Tarazona |first=Carlos |year=2005 |language=es |trans-title=1950 Campaign |access-date=7 June 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090516075654/http://www.daleucampeon.4t.com/universitario_de_deportes1950.htm |archive-date=16 May 2009}}</ref> They finished with seven league titles, one less than Alianza Lima, which held the most titles at the end of the amateur era.
===The professional era (1951–present)=== thumb|right|300px|The Universitario squad of the 1950s
Professional football came to Peru in 1951, when the Peruvian Football Federation adopted the championship according to the global guidelines for a professional league, but only with the participation of clubs located in the city of Lima and the Province of Callao.<ref name="tablasperu" /><ref name="Historia - FPF">{{cite web |title=Historia |url=http://fpf.org.pe/f_home.asp?cpd=167 |publisher=Federación Peruana de Fútbol |language=es |access-date=18 November 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110518162040/http://fpf.org.pe/f_home.asp?cpd=167 |archive-date=18 May 2011}}</ref> The club debuted in the professional era with a win over Mariscal Sucre FBC with a score of 4–1.<ref>{{cite web |title=Campaña 1951 |first=Carlos |last=Nieto Tarazona |year=2005 |url=http://www.daleucampeon.4t.com/universitario_de_deportes1951.htm |publisher=RSSSF |language=es |access-date=19 November 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170807054442/http://www.daleucampeon.4t.com/universitario_de_deportes1951.htm |archive-date=7 August 2017}}</ref> On 20 July 1952, the inauguration of Teodoro Lolo Fernandez stadium took place, with sporting facilities and a spectator stand that previously belonged to the first national stadium of the country. At the opening, Universitario beat Universidad de Chile by 4–2, with three goals scored by Teodoro Fernández himself.<ref>{{cite web |title=Estadio Lolo Fernandez de la U cumple 53 años |year=2005 |url=http://www.ahunet.com.pe/noticia-3511.php |publisher=ahunet.com.pe |language=es |trans-title=Lolo Fernandez stadium turns 53 years old |access-date=13 May 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120305135107/http://www.ahunet.com.pe/noticia-3511.php |archive-date=5 March 2012}}</ref> In 1954 Plácido Galindo took the club's presidency, in what was the first of his three administrations at the helm of the institution. Throughout this decade, the club conducted irregular campaigns in the newly professional league, which saw titles shared between Alianza Lima, Sport Boys, Mariscal Sucre, Sporting Cristal, and Centro Iqueño. The title drought of the fifties ended in 1959 when they won their eighth crown, after tying 3–3 with Deportivo Municipal in the final match, totaling fifteen wins, three draws and four losses.<ref>{{cite web |title=Campeón Profesional 1959 |first=Carlos |last=Nieto Tarazona |year=2005 |url=http://www.daleucampeon.4t.com/universitario_de_deportes1959.htm |publisher=daleucampeon.4t.com |language=es |trans-title=1959 Professional Champion |access-date=20 March 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170807054359/http://www.daleucampeon.4t.com/universitario_de_deportes1959.htm |archive-date=7 August 2017}}</ref>
In the 1960s, the club's successes were the greatest yet after winning five more championships. The first of them in 1960 after a scoreless draw with Sport Boys, totaling eleven wins, three draws and four defeats in eighteen games; hence achieving its second ''bicampeonato''.<ref>{{cite web |author=Carlos Nieto Tarazona |year=2005 |url=http://www.daleucampeon.4t.com/universitario_de_deportes1960.htm |title=Campeón Profesional 1960 |publisher=daleucampeon.4t.com |language=es |trans-title=1960 Professional Champion |access-date=20 March 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170807063722/http://www.daleucampeon.4t.com/universitario_de_deportes1960.htm |archive-date=7 August 2017}}</ref> As 1960 champion, Universitario was the first Peruvian club to qualify for the first Copa de Campeones de América, the first edition of the Copa Libertadores. On 19 April 1961, the club debuted in South America's premier competition in Montevideo, Uruguay against Peñarol, which ended in a loss of 5–0.<ref>{{cite web |author=José Luis Pierrend, John Beuker & Osvaldo Gorgazzi |year=2002 |url=https://www.rsssf.org/sacups/copa61.html |title=Copa Libertadores de América 1961 |access-date=20 March 2008 |url-status=live |website=RSSSF |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080316235235/http://www.rsssf.com/sacups/copa61.html |archive-date=16 March 2008}}</ref><ref name="reto">{{cite web |author=Fernando Vega Jácome |year=2006 |url=http://www.peru.com/futbol/reportajes/2006/01/libertadores/index4.asp |title=El reto de la Copa Libertadores – ¿Sabía usted qué...? |publisher=peru.com |language=es |trans-title=The challenge of the Copa Libertadores – Did you know...? |access-date=10 April 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090120071134/http://www.peru.com/futbol/reportajes/2006/01/libertadores/index4.asp |archive-date=20 January 2009}}</ref> After finishing third place in two consecutive seasons, Universitario rose again with the title in 1964, nine points ahead of second place.<ref>{{cite web |first=Carlos |last=Nieto Tarazona |year=2005 |url=http://www.daleucampeon.4t.com/universitario_de_deportes1962.htm |title=Campaña 1962 |trans-title=1962 Campaign |publisher=daleucampeon.4t.com |language=es |access-date=12 May 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170807073126/http://www.daleucampeon.4t.com/universitario_de_deportes1962.htm |archive-date=7 August 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first=Carlos |last=Nieto Tarazona |year=2005 |url=http://www.daleucampeon.4t.com/universitario_de_deportes1963.htm |title=Campaign 1963 |publisher=daleucampeon.4t.com |language=es |access-date=12 May 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170807065854/http://www.daleucampeon.4t.com/universitario_de_deportes1963.htm |archive-date=7 August 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first=Carlos |last=Nieto Tarazona |year=2005 |url=http://www.daleucampeon.4t.com/universitario_de_deportes1964.htm |title=Campeón Profesional 1964 |trans-title=1964 Professional Champion |publisher=daleucampeon.4t.com |language=es |access-date=20 March 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170807070758/http://www.daleucampeon.4t.com/universitario_de_deportes1964.htm |archive-date=7 August 2017}}</ref> At the end of 1965, the Peruvian Football Federation expanded the professional league to the entire country by creating the first national tournament as the Torneo Descentralizado, or Decentralized Tournament.<ref name="Historia - FPF"/> In 1966, the first Descentralizado was played. Under the leadership of manager Marcos Calderón, became the first national champion after nineteen wins, three draws and four defeats.<ref>{{cite web |title=Campeón Nacional 1966 |first=Carlos |last=Nieto Tarazona |year=2005 |url=http://www.daleucampeon.4t.com/universitario_de_deportes1966.htm |publisher=daleucampeon.4t.com |language=es |trans-title=1966 National Champion |access-date=20 March 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170807054043/http://www.daleucampeon.4t.com/universitario_de_deportes1966.htm |archive-date=7 August 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Campeón Nacional 1966 |author=Carlos Nieto Tarazona |year=2005 |url=http://www.daleucampeon.4t.com/universitario_de_deportes1966.htm |publisher=daleucampeon.4t.com |language=es |access-date=20 March 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170807054043/http://www.daleucampeon.4t.com/universitario_de_deportes1966.htm |archive-date=7 August 2017}}</ref> In 1967, Universitario successfully defended its crown, winning its third ''bicampeonato''.<ref>{{cite web |title=Campeón Profesional 1967 |first=Carlos |last=Nieto Tarazona |year=2005 |url=http://www.daleucampeon.4t.com/universitario_de_deportes1967.htm |publisher=daleucampeon.4t.com |language=es |trans-title=1967 Professional Champion |access-date=20 March 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170807060323/http://www.daleucampeon.4t.com/universitario_de_deportes1967.htm |archive-date=7 August 2017}}</ref> On 27 February 1968 in the Copa Libertadores, Universitario achieved its biggest win in Copa Libertadores against Always Ready of Bolivia by 6–0.<ref name="datos">{{cite web |title=Universitario de Deportes |first=Carlos |last=Nieto Tarazona |year=2008 |url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesu/universitario.html |access-date=14 April 2008 |url-status=live |website=RSSSF |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303171700/http://www.rsssf.com/tablesu/universitario.html |archive-date=3 March 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Copa Libertadores de América 1968 |author=Martin Harris, John Beuker y José Luis Pierrend |year=2005 |url=https://www.rsssf.org/sacups/copa68.html |access-date=20 March 2008 |url-status=live |website=RSSSF |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131015154102/http://www.rsssf.com/sacups/copa68.html |archive-date=15 October 2013}}</ref> The club finished the decade with a third national title after drawing 1–1 with Atlético Grau in the league final.<ref>{{Cite web |first=Carlos |last=Nieto Tarazona |year=2005 |url=http://www.daleucampeon.4t.com/universitario_de_deportes1969.htm |trans-title=1969 Professional Champion |title=Campeón de 1969 |publisher=daleucampeon.4t.com |language=es |access-date=20 March 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170807054637/http://www.daleucampeon.4t.com/universitario_de_deportes1969.htm |archive-date=7 August 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=1969: Un título memorable de la mano de Roberto Scarone |url=https://universitario.pe/noticias/historia/1969-un-titulo-memorable-de-la-mano-de-roberto-scarone |access-date=2022-06-23 |website=Universitario de Deportes |language=es |archive-date=5 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221005152422/https://universitario.pe/noticias/historia/1969-un-titulo-memorable-de-la-mano-de-roberto-scarone |url-status=live}}</ref>
==== 1972 Copa Libertadores ==== {{main|1972 Copa Libertadores}}
[[File:Universitario1970.jpg|thumb|right|1970 Squad of Universitario de Deportes. '''Standing:''' Eloy Campos, Ramón Mifflin, Héctor Chumpitaz, Luis Rubiños, Nicolás Fuentes, Orlando de la Torre. '''Crouching:''' Julio Baylón, Roberto Challe, Pedro Pablo León, Eladio Reyes and Alberto Gallardo.]]
In 1971, Universitario won its fourteenth First División title and qualified for the 1972 edition of the Copa Libertadores under the Uruguayan head coach Roberto Scarone along with Alianza Lima who placed second that season. They were grouped with the Chilean teams Unión San Felipe and Universidad de Chile in Group 4. Universitario's first game was the Peruvian Superclásico which it won 2–1.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Universitario de Deportes - Alianza Lima 2:1 (Copa Libertadores 1972, Grupo 4) |url=https://www.livefutbol.com/cronica/copa-libertadores-1972-gruppe-4-universitario-de-deportes-alianza-lima/ |access-date=2022-08-28 |website=livefutbol.com |language=es |archive-date=28 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220828040032/https://www.livefutbol.com/cronica/copa-libertadores-1972-gruppe-4-universitario-de-deportes-alianza-lima/ |url-status=live}}</ref> The following game was held in Santiago de Chile against Universidad de Chile where it lost 1–0.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Universidad de Chile - Universitario de Deportes 1:0 (Copa Libertadores 1972, Grupo 4) |url=https://www.livefutbol.com/cronica/copa-libertadores-1972-gruppe-4-universidad-de-chile-universitario-de-deportes/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221018033358/https://www.livefutbol.com/cronica/copa-libertadores-1972-gruppe-4-universidad-de-chile-universitario-de-deportes/ |archive-date=2022-10-18 |access-date=2022-08-28 |website=livefutbol.com |language=es}}</ref> Universitario later tied with the other Chilean team in Santiago. Universitario returned to Lima to face Alianza Lima again where they tied 2–2.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Alianza Lima - Universitario de Deportes 2:2 (Copa Libertadores 1972, Grupo 4) |url=https://www.livefutbol.com/cronica/copa-libertadores-1972-gruppe-4-alianza-lima-universitario-de-deportes/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221018033351/https://www.livefutbol.com/cronica/copa-libertadores-1972-gruppe-4-alianza-lima-universitario-de-deportes/ |archive-date=2022-10-18 |access-date=2022-08-28 |website=livefutbol.com |language=es}}</ref> At that point, Universitario and Universidad de Chile had accumulated 4 points while Alianza Lima and Unión San Felipe had 3. Universitario won the remaining games against the Chilean teams in Lima, obtaining 8 points and qualifying for the next round.<ref name="Libertadores 72"/><ref name="Finalista 72"/>
Universitario was grouped with the Uruguayan clubs Peñarol—a three-time winner of the Copa Libertadores—and Nacional—the previous edition's winner—in the semi-final group stage. La U started off losing their first match against Peñarol in Lima. In that match, La U did not play with five of their starting players because they were called to play for the Peru national football team. However, they won the following game against Nacional 3–0.<ref>{{Cite web |title=GOLPERU - Copa Libertadores: Universitario y el triunfo sobre Nacional rumbo a la final de 1972 (VIDEO) |url=https://golperu.pe/torneos-internacionales/copa-libertadores/copa-libertadores-universitario-y-el-triunfo-sobre-nacional-rumbo-a-la-final-de-1972-24927 |access-date=2022-08-28 |website=GOLPERU |language=es |archive-date=4 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230404102408/https://golperu.pe/torneos-internacionales/copa-libertadores/copa-libertadores-universitario-y-el-triunfo-sobre-nacional-rumbo-a-la-final-de-1972-24927 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Universitario de Deportes - Nacional 3:0 (Copa Libertadores 1972, Grupo A) |url=https://www.livefutbol.com/cronica/copa-libertadores-1972-gruppe-a-universitario-de-deportes-nacional/ |access-date=2022-08-28 |website=livefutbol.com |language=es |archive-date=28 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220828040034/https://www.livefutbol.com/cronica/copa-libertadores-1972-gruppe-a-universitario-de-deportes-nacional/ |url-status=live}}</ref> They then visited both teams in Montevideo tying both games, 3–3 against Nacional and 1–1 against Peñarol.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Behr |first=Raúl |title=Nacional - Universitario 1972: Un cachito de éxitos - De Chalaca {{!}} Futbol para el que la conoce |url=https://dechalaca.com/hemeroteca/producto-peruano/nacional-universitario-1972-un-cachito-de-exitos |access-date=2022-08-28 |website=dechalaca.com |archive-date=28 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220828040031/https://dechalaca.com/hemeroteca/producto-peruano/nacional-universitario-1972-un-cachito-de-exitos |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Nacional - Universitario de Deportes 3:3 (Copa Libertadores 1972, Grupo A) |url=https://www.livefutbol.com/cronica/copa-libertadores-1972-gruppe-a-nacional-universitario-de-deportes/ |access-date=2022-08-28 |website=livefutbol.com |language=es |archive-date=28 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220828040034/https://www.livefutbol.com/cronica/copa-libertadores-1972-gruppe-a-nacional-universitario-de-deportes/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Peñarol - Universitario de Deportes 1:1 (Copa Libertadores 1972, Grupo A) |url=https://www.livefutbol.com/cronica/copa-libertadores-1972-gruppe-a-ca-penarol-universitario-de-deportes/ |access-date=2022-08-28 |website=livefutbol.com |language=es |archive-date=28 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220828040033/https://www.livefutbol.com/cronica/copa-libertadores-1972-gruppe-a-ca-penarol-universitario-de-deportes/ |url-status=live}}</ref> Universitario had accumulated 4 points and there was only one game left between Peñarol and Nacional, which had 4 and 2 points respectively. All three teams had a chance of qualifying for the next round. Peñarol only needed a win but Nacional needed a win by 5 goals. The game ended 3–0 in favor of Nacional, allowing Universitario to qualify for the final round where they would face Independiente.<ref name="Libertadores 72"/>
The first leg of the final was played in Lima where they tied 0–0. The game in Argentina ended 2–1 in favor of the Argentines; Percy Rojas scored the late goal for Universitario. This was Percy Rojas' sixth goal in the tournament. He, along with Oswaldo Ramírez, Teófilo Cubillas, and Toninho, were the top-scorers.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rsssf.org/sacups/copalibtops.html |title=Copa Libertadores – Topscorers |last=Andrés |first=Juan Pablo |author2=Ballesteros, Frank |work=RSSSF |access-date=12 September 2007 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111015063620/http://rsssf.com/sacups/copalibtops.html |archive-date=15 October 2011}}</ref> Although Universitario lost, they had achieved something a Peruvian club had never before, reach the final of the Copa Libertadores, the most prestigious international competition in South America.<ref name="Libertadores 72"/><ref name="Finalista 72">{{cite web |url=http://peru.com/futbol/reportajes/2001/09/18/07.asp |title=Universitario finalista de la Copa Libertadores de 1972 |last=Macavilca |first=Christian |work=futbolperuano.com |language=es |access-date=9 December 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080108010035/http://www.peru.com/futbol/reportajes/2001/09/18/07.asp |archive-date=8 January 2008}}</ref>
Two years later, in 1974, the club celebrated its 50th anniversary, created a football school for minors and finished the year as champion under the leadership of Argentine Juan Eduardo Hohberg.<ref name="campeonato74">{{cite web |first=Carlos Manuel |last=Nieto Tarazona |year=2005 |url=http://www.daleucampeon.4t.com/universitario_de_deportes1974.htm |title=Campeón Nacional 1974 |trans-title=1974 National Champion |publisher=daleucampeon.4t.com |language=es |access-date=20 March 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170807060021/http://www.daleucampeon.4t.com/universitario_de_deportes1974.htm |archive-date=7 August 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=1974: La estrella 15 y un récord que se mantiene vigente |url=https://universitario.pe/noticias/historia/1974-la-estrella-15-y-un-record-que-se-mantiene-vigente#:~:text=Un%2023%20de%20febrero%20de,campe%C3%B3n%20nacional%20por%20decimoquinta%20vez. |access-date=2022-06-23 |website=Universitario de Deportes |language=es |archive-date=5 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221005152800/https://universitario.pe/noticias/historia/1974-la-estrella-15-y-un-record-que-se-mantiene-vigente#:~:text=Un%2023%20de%20febrero%20de,campe%C3%B3n%20nacional%20por%20decimoquinta%20vez. |url-status=live}}</ref>
====The regional tournaments (1980–1991)==== In the 1980s, Peruvian football began to see notable changes in the competition format. The 1982 season saw the tournament played in group stages. Universitario advanced from its Metropolitan Group to Group B of the second stage and finally to the four-team group final, known as the Liguilla. Universitario successfully defeated all of its opponents in the Liguilla and reached its sixteenth first-division title. The decisive victory was against Deportivo Municipal after a lone goal by Hugo Gastulo.<ref name="torneo82">{{cite web |first=Carlos |last=Nieto Tarazona |year=2005 |url=http://www.daleucampeon.4t.com/universitario_de_deportes1982.htm |title=Campeón Nacional 1982 |publisher=daleucampeon.4t.com |language=es |trans-title=1982 National Champion |access-date=6 May 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170807063148/http://www.daleucampeon.4t.com/universitario_de_deportes1982.htm |archive-date=7 August 2017}}</ref> In 1985, José Luis Carranza, became an important icon of the club, and debuted on the first team. Universitario won the Torneo Regional, or Regional Tournament, of the early season successfully remained at the top of the league by advancing to the Liguilla by placing second in the Torneo Descentrlizado and conquering the Liguilla by winning all five matches played, the last of which was a 4–0 win over Los Espartanos de Pacasmayo with goals by Miguel Seminario, Fidel Suárez, Eduardo Rey Muñoz and Jaime Drago. As Universitario won both tournaments of the season, they were automatically declared 1985 champions.<ref>{{cite web |first=Carlos |last=Nieto Tarazona |year=2004 |url=http://www.daleucampeon.4t.com/universitario_de_deportes1985.htm |title=Campeón Nacional 1985 |publisher=daleucampeon.4t.com |language=es |trans-title=1985 National Champion |access-date=6 May 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170807061943/http://www.daleucampeon.4t.com/universitario_de_deportes1985.htm |archive-date=7 August 2017}}</ref> Universitario de Deportes returned to the top of Peruvian football in 1987. In 1985, Universitario began the season by winning the Regional Tournament, which put them in the season final to face off with the winner of the Descentralizado for the national title. The Descentralizado went to their classic rival, Alianza Lima which meant the season final would be contested as another edition of the Clásico. Also, both Universitario and Alianza Lima reached the final with seventeen first-division titles under their belts. The defining derby was won by Universitario with a single goal by Fidel Suárez, overcoming the tie they had in the most Peruvian titles.<ref>{{cite web |first=Carlos |last=Nieto Tarazona |year=2005 |url=http://www.daleucampeon.4t.com/universitario_de_deportes1987.htm |title=Campeón Nacional 1987 |language=es |trans-title=1987 National Champion |publisher=daleucampeon.4t.com |access-date=17 June 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170807075016/http://www.daleucampeon.4t.com/universitario_de_deportes1987.htm |archive-date=7 August 2017}}</ref> In 1990, with the arrival of Fernando Cuellar as coach, Universitario de Deportes won the First Regional Tournament of the season, automatically advancing to the season final where they faced Sport Boys, winner of the Second Regional Tournament.<ref>{{cite web |first=Carlos |last=Nieto Tarazona |year=2006 |url=http://www.daleucampeon.4t.com/universitario_de_deportes1990.htm |title=Campeón Nacional 1990 |publisher=daleucampeon.4t.com |access-date=17 June 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170807061218/http://www.daleucampeon.4t.com/universitario_de_deportes1990.htm |archive-date=7 August 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first1=Josef |last1=Bobrowsky |first2=Carlos |last2=Nieto Tarazona |year=2004 |url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesp/peru90.html |title=Peru 1990 |access-date=29 March 2009 |url-status=live |website=RSSSF |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131016121320/http://www.rsssf.com/tablesp/peru90.html |archive-date=16 October 2013}}</ref>
====The mid-nineties (1992–1997)==== In the year 1992, the national championship regulations were generally amended again by dropping the regional tournaments and returning to a similar system before the 1980s where the clubs would first play in a league and subsequently advance to the Liguilla. The club won the title a week before the final round, after defeating CD San Agustín 4–1, with goals two goals from Ronald Baroni and the remaining coming from César Charún and José Luis Carranza.<ref>{{Cite web |first=Carlos |last=Nieto Tarazona |year=2004 |url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesp/peru92.html |title=Peru 1992 |access-date=29 March 2009 |url-status=live |website=RSSSF |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090420161909/http://www.rsssf.com/tablesp/peru92.html |archive-date=20 April 2009}}</ref> With Sergio Markarián in charge of the first team, ''la U'' defended its title in 1993, achieving a new ''bicampeonato'' for the club. The defining match that gave Universitario its twenty-first title was a 3–0 over San Agustín; two goals were scored by Jorge Amado Nunes and one by Roberto Martinez.<ref>{{cite web |first=Carlos |last=Nieto Tarazona |year=2004 |url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesp/peru93.html |title=Peru 1993 |access-date=29 March 2009 |url-status=live |website=RSSSF |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090419124236/http://www.rsssf.com/tablesp/peru93.html |archive-date=19 April 2009}}</ref> This was the fourth time in the club's history that it won back-to-back titles.
====The treble (1998–2000)==== By winning in 1998, 1999, and 2000, Universitario won their first treble or ''Tricampeonato''. The 1998 title was won under Oswaldo Piazza, Miguel Company and Roberto Challe led the club to the other two titles. It was the third Peruvian team to do this; the first being in the amateur era won by Alianza Lima and the second in the early nineties by Sporting Cristal. It was also during the 2000 season that they were the second Peruvian club to win an Apertura and Clausura in a single season; the first being Alianza Lima in 1997. In the Copa Libertadores, Universitario made it to the Round of 16 in 1998 but lost to Vélez Sársfield. In 1999 and 2000 they failed to advance past the group stage. Universitario also participated in all four editions of the Copa Merconorte between 1999 and 2001 but did not have a lot of success, being eliminated in the group stage all four times.
====2001–2009==== thumb|Universitario celebrates its 2008 Apertura title after beating Cienciano 3–1.
Universitario saw little success after its ''Tricampeonato''. In 2002, Universitario beat Alianza Lima in the Apertura two-legged play-off but were unable to finish in the top four of the 2002 Clausura and were ineligible to dispute the national title. In 2005, Universitario placed first on the aggregate table and qualified for the 2006 Copa Libertadores, where they won on away goals against Nacional in the first phase of the tournament, however, they were eliminated in the group stage. Universitario continually failed to win a twenty-fifth national title but qualified for the Copa Sudamericana in 2007 and 2008. In both editions, they were eliminated in the first stage.
Minor success came in 2008 when Ricardo Gareca led Universitario to an Apertura tournament. The last time they won an Apertura title was in 2002. They won the tournament on their twenty-second game 10 points ahead of Sporting Cristal and four games away from the end of the Apertura. They defeated Cienciano 3–1 to secure first place and accumulated 50 points to win the title. They qualified for the 2009 Copa Libertadores but did not finish in the top seven of the Clausura and consequently could not contest the season final for the national title against Universidad San Martín. In 2009, following the resignation of Ricardo Gareca the club hired Juan Reynoso as the new manager, a former player of the club in the 90s and with a long history in Mexican football.<ref>{{cite web |year=2008 |url=http://www.universitario.com.pe/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=1471 |title=Ricardo Gareca le dijo adios a Universitario de Deportes |trans-title=Ricardo Gareca said goodbye to Universitario |publisher=Universitario |language=es |access-date=6 May 2009 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090101123549/http://www.universitario.com.pe/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=1471 |archive-date=1 January 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |year=2008 |url=http://www.universitario.com.pe/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=1485 |title=Reynosos es el nuevo técnico de Universitario |trans-title=Reynoso is the manager of Universitario |publisher=Universitario de Deportes |language=es |access-date=6 May 2009 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090101123644/http://www.universitario.com.pe/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=1485 |archive-date=1 January 2009}}</ref> Much of the 2008 squad remained for the 2009 season, but with the departure of some notable players like Héctor Hurtado, Mayer Candelo and Donny Neyra.<ref>{{cite web |year=2009 |url=http://dechalaca.com/content/view/3679/1/ |title=Mercado de Pases 2009 |trans-title=Market Passes 2009 |publisher=DeChalaca |language=es |access-date=6 May 2009 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090423035806/http://dechalaca.com/content/view/3679/1 |archive-date=23 April 2009}}</ref> The most important signing before the 2009 season was Nolberto Solano.<ref>{{cite web |year=2009 |url=http://www.peru.com/futbol/sgc/equiposprimera/2009/01/05/DETALLE18375.aspx |title=Media covers writings devoted to signing of the year: Solano College |publisher=peru.com |language=es |access-date=6 May 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131225135703/http://www.peru.com/futbol/sgc/equiposprimera/2009/01/05/DETALLE18375.aspx |archive-date=25 December 2013}}</ref> Other players to arrive were Carlos Orejuela, John Galliquio, Piero Alva, Francisco Bazán, Rodolfo Espinoza, and Ronaille Calheira.
In the season final, which would be a repeat of the 1987 final, Universitario would face arch-rival Alianza Lima. Universitario won both legs under intelligent management from Reynoso. In the first leg they won 1–0 with a goal from Piero Alva and in the second leg Nolberto Solano scored the defining goal from the penalty mark in the tenth minute of play.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2009: Un campeón Monumental |url=https://universitario.pe/noticias/historia/2009-un-campeon-monumental |access-date=2024-09-23 |website=Universitario de Deportes |language=es}}</ref>
As of 2009, Universitario has twenty-five Primera División titles.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2009: Un campeón Monumental |url=https://universitario.pe/noticias/historia/2009-un-campeon-monumental#:~:text=Un%2013%20de%20diciembre%20del,Solano%20a%20los%2010%20minutos. |access-date=2022-10-31 |website=Universitario de Deportes |language=es |archive-date=31 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221031071226/https://universitario.pe/noticias/historia/2009-un-campeon-monumental#:~:text=Un%2013%20de%20diciembre%20del,Solano%20a%20los%2010%20minutos. |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |title=Universitario es el nuevo campeón de fútbol peruano 2009 tras vencer a Alianza 1-0 |url=https://andina.pe/agencia/noticia-universitario-es-nuevo-campeon-futbol-peruano-2009-tras-vencer-a-alianza-10-269322.aspx |access-date=2022-10-31 |website=andina.pe |date=13 December 2009 |language=es |archive-date=31 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221031071226/https://andina.pe/agencia/noticia-universitario-es-nuevo-campeon-futbol-peruano-2009-tras-vencer-a-alianza-10-269322.aspx |url-status=live}}</ref> The first seven titles won by Universitario were during the amateur era. The remaining eighteen titles were won during the professional era, the most any Peruvian club has. The balance of the 2009 tournament could not be better with the Universitario ending the year with the highest cumulative score and claiming victory in the four ''super clásicos'' of the year,<ref name="clasicos">{{cite web |author=Carlos Manuel Nieto Tarazona |year=2008 |url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesa/aliuni.html |title=Universitario v Alianza – Lima Derby – Clásico del Fútbol Peruano |access-date=13 March 2008 |url-status=live |website=RSSSF |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080321054531/http://www.rsssf.com/tablesa/aliuni.html |archive-date=21 March 2008}}</ref> ensuring their participation in the Copa Libertadores 2010.
==== 2010 – present ==== In the continental tournament "la U" was part of Group 4 of the Copa Libertadores 2010 with Blooming, Lanús from Argentina and Libertad. In the first game scored an away victory to Blooming 2–1. A week later defeated by a score of 2–0 to Lanús and then tied 0–0 with Libertad, this meeting was the number 200 in the history of the club in the Copa Libertadores.<ref>{{cite web |year=2010 |url=http://depor.pe/noticia/419531/ |title=The U playing tonight his 200th match in the Copa |publisher=depor.pe |access-date=10 May 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129015708/http://depor.pe/noticia/419531/ |archive-date=29 November 2014 |df=dmy-all}}</ref>
Universitario ended his participation in the group stage with three more draws for a total of 10 points, and alongside Brazilian teams Internacional and São Paulo became the best defenders in the tournament to receive only two goals against.<ref>{{cite web |year=2010 |url=http://depor.pe/noticia/467450/sao-paulo-duelo-ante-MEET-best-defense-cup |title=Sao Paulo: Duel at the U will bring the best defenses in the Cup |publisher=depor.pe |access-date=10 May 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110727032852/http://depor.pe/noticia/467450/sao-paulo-duelo-ante-MEET-best-defense-cup |archive-date=27 July 2011 |df=dmy-all}}</ref> Coincidentally, the São Paulo was the merengue's rival in the knockout stage, both matches ended 0–0 so the winner was decided by penalty kicks resulting in the Brazilian club winning 3–1.<ref>{{cite web |year=2010 |url=http://www.espn.com.br/libertadores/noticia/119097_NOS+PENALTIS+SAO+PAULO |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120904221532/http://www.espn.com.br/libertadores/noticia/119097_NOS+PENALTIS+SAO+PAULO |url-status=dead |archive-date=4 September 2012 |title=We penalties, São Paulo SUMMIT Obrigação against or Universitário |publisher=espn.com.br |language=pt |access-date=10 May 2010}}</ref> La U left the Cup undefeated, having achieved 2 wins and 6 draws,<ref>{{cite web |year=2010 |url=http://www.espn.com.br/libertadores/noticia/119100_REI+DA+RETRANCA+UNIVERSITARIO+DEIXA+LIBERTADORES+SEM+DERROTA |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120730222603/http://www.espn.com.br/libertadores/noticia/119100_REI+DA+RETRANCA+UNIVERSITARIO+DEIXA+LIBERTADORES+SEM+DERROTA |url-status=dead |archive-date=30 July 2012 |title=Rei da retranca, Universitário deixa Libertadores sem derrota |publisher=espn.com.br |access-date=10 May 2010}}</ref>
Meanwhile, in the league the club had its worst season start in history after being defeated during the first three games of the season.<ref>{{cite web |author=Carlos Panez |year=2010 |url=http://dechalaca.com/anuarios/resumen-2010/universitario-sin-cabeza-visible |title=Universitario: No visible head |publisher=dechalaca.com |access-date=3 January 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304223828/http://dechalaca.com/anuarios/resumen-2010/universitario-sin-cabeza-visible |archive-date=4 March 2016 |df=dmy-all}}</ref> The team quickly recovered with three straight wins<ref>{{cite news |year=2010 |url=http://elcomercio.pe/deportes/453386/noticia-universitario-vence-0-cienciano-gol-Uruguayan-victor-Piriz-alves |title=University beat Cienciano 2–0 to win their third straight win |newspaper=El Comercio |publisher=elcomercio.pe |access-date=3 January 2011}}</ref> and not again suffer defeat until the twelfth journey when they lost by 1–0 before the León de Huánuco in visitor status.<ref>{{cite web |year=2010 |url=http://msn.foxsports.com/fslasc/peru/story/Universitario_cae_con_Leon |title=University falls to Leon de Huánuco |publisher=msn.foxsports.com |access-date=3 January 2011}}</ref> Once again several problems dirigenciales and constant technical changes not allowed the team to have a good season.<ref name="resumen10">{{cite web |author=Carlos Panez |year=2010 |url=http://dechalaca.com/anuarios/resumen-2010/universitario-sin-cabeza-visible |title=Universitario: Sin cabeza visible |publisher=dechalaca.com |access-date=3 January 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304223828/http://dechalaca.com/anuarios/resumen-2010/universitario-sin-cabeza-visible |archive-date=4 March 2016}}</ref>
[[File:Pantalla Monumental.jpg|left|thumb|Universitario at the 2023 Liga 1 final against Alianza Lima]]
During the first part of the tournament, the Chamber of Conciliation and Dispute Resolution Peruvian Football Federation took away two points for having an outstanding debt to Ricardo Gareca and finished in fifth place with 51 points product of 16 wins, 5 draws and 9 defeats.<ref>{{cite web |year=2010 |url=http://www.adfp.org.pe/portal/estadisticas/DataSport_55.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221003110008/http://www.adfp.org.pe/portal/estadisticas/DataSport_55.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=3 October 2022 |title=Decentralization Championship 2010 – First Stage |publisher=adfp.org.pe |access-date=3 January 2011}}</ref> In the second stage championship of the "U" joined the league odd in which it scored 5 wins and 6 ties for a total of 72 points and obtained the qualification for the Copa Sudamericana 2011.
In the 2011 Peruvian Championship, the team did not have a good start and it was only in the third round that they obtained their first victory; However, little by little, he began to raise his level and came to close his participation in the first phase at the top of the table. During the second phase of the tournament, the club was saved from relegation in the penultimate round after drawing 2–2 with Universidad César Vallejo at the Estadio Nacional.<ref>{{cite web |title=La 'U' se dejó empatar por Vallejo, pero se salvó de la baja |date=27 November 2011 |url=http://larepublica.pe/deportes/593369-la-u-se-dejo-empatar-por-vallejo-pero-se-salvo-de-la-baja |access-date=18 July 2023 |archive-date=6 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171206135904/http://larepublica.pe/deportes/593369-la-u-se-dejo-empatar-por-vallejo-pero-se-salvo-de-la-baja |url-status=bot: unknown}}</ref> At the international level, the club showed a different face and for the first time in its history advanced to the quarterfinals of the Copa Sudamericana where they were eliminated by Vasco da Gama from Brazil by an aggregate score of 5–4.<ref>{{cite web |title=La ´U´ cayó ante Vasco da Gama y quedó fuera de la Copa Sudamericana |date=9 November 2011 |url=https://rpp.pe/futbol/mas-futbol/la-u-cayo-ante-vasco-da-gama-y-quedo-fuera-de-la-copa-sudamericana-noticia-420890 |access-date=18 July 2023 |archive-date=20 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230720003346/https://rpp.pe/futbol/mas-futbol/la-u-cayo-ante-vasco-da-gama-y-quedo-fuera-de-la-copa-sudamericana-noticia-420890 |url-status=live}}</ref> Due to the large debts of some football clubs in Peru (including Universitario), the National Customs and Tax Administration Superintendence requested the National Institute for the Defense of Competition and the Protection of Intellectual Property to initiate a bankruptcy process to restructure the club.<ref>{{cite web |title=La Sunat pidió a Indecopi reestructurar deudas de cinco clubes |url=https://archivo.elcomercio.pe/amp/deporte-total/futbol-peruano/sunat-pidio-indecopi-reestructurar-deudas-cinco-clubes-noticia-1383910 |access-date=18 July 2023 |archive-date=8 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170908112122/http://archivo.elcomercio.pe/amp/deporte-total/futbol-peruano/sunat-pidio-indecopi-reestructurar-deudas-cinco-clubes-noticia-1383910 |url-status=live}}</ref> With this measure, the board of directors was disintegrated and Rocío Chávez Pimentel, president of Right Business S.A., was appointed temporary administrator of the club.<ref>{{cite web |title=Conozca a Rocío Chávez Pimentel, la nueva administradora de Universitario |date=11 April 2012 |url=http://larepublica.pe/deportes/623686-conozca-a-rocio-chavez-pimentel-la-nueva-administradora-de-universitario |access-date=18 July 2023 |archive-date=6 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171206135944/http://larepublica.pe/deportes/623686-conozca-a-rocio-chavez-pimentel-la-nueva-administradora-de-universitario |url-status=bot: unknown}}</ref> In 2024, "U" celebrated its 100th anniversary since being founded,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Alcántara |first=Por Grace Nole |date=2024-08-07 |title=Universitario cumple 100 años: el día que quedó subcampeón de la Copa Libertadores en 1972 |url=https://www.infobae.com/peru/deportes/2024/08/07/universitario-cumple-100-anos-el-dia-que-quedo-subcampeon-de-la-copa-libertadores-en-1972/ |access-date=2024-11-04 |website=infobae |language=es-ES}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-08-07 |title=Universitario de Deportes celebra 100 años de vida institucional |url=https://www.espn.com.pe/futbol/peru/nota/_/id/14009890/universitario-de-deportes-celebra-100-anos-de-vida-institucional |access-date=2024-11-04 |website=espn.com.pe |language=es}}</ref> and also won the Apertura and Clausura tournaments played in the season to claim its 28th league title.<ref>{{cite web |title=Definición de la Liga 1 2024: Universitario salió campeón, Alianza perdió y quedó cuarto en el acumulado |url=https://larepublica.pe/deportes/2024/11/03/definicion-del-campeonato-liga-1-sigue-en-vivo-los-partidos-de-alianza-y-universitario-51356 |publisher=La República |access-date=4 November 2024 |language=es |date=3 November 2024}}</ref>
==Colors and badge== {{commons|Universitario de Deportes kits}} {{Football kit box | align = left | pattern_la = | pattern_b = | pattern_ra = | leftarm = ffffff | body = ffffff | rightarm = ffffff | shorts = ffffff | socks = 000000 | title = Universitario's first kit }} {{Football kit box | align = left |pattern_la=_universitario23h|pattern_b=_universitario23h|pattern_ra=_universitario23h|pattern_sh=_shorts|pattern_so=_universitario23h|leftarm=FEFAF0|body=FEFAF0|rightarm=FEFAF0|shorts=FEFAF0|socks=000000|title=2023 }} Universitario's colors are cream (''crema'' in Spanish), burgundy (''granate'' in Spanish), and black. When playing a home game they use the cream-colored kit with black socks and when playing away they use the burgundy-colored kit with black socks.
The club's colors at first were not cream. They started with a white kit that had the badge on the chest. During one of their early seasons, Universitario could not participate in an upcoming match because their uniforms had been sent to the laundry to be washed. The managers pleaded that they hurry with the laundry and they quickly washed them. However, when the club received the jerseys, they found that they were no longer white, but yellow. The laundry workers had forgotten to remove the badges from the jerseys and consequently the red color from the badges mixed with the white jerseys giving it a yellow tint. The club had no choice but to use the jersey to play. They managed to win that game and a few others as well and thus the club kept the new-colored kit as a good-luck charm.<ref>{{cite web |title=History of Club Universitario de Deportes |last=Nieto Tarazona |first=Carlos Manuel |work=daleucampeon.4t.com |url=http://www.daleucampeon.4t.com/HISTORIA.htm |language=es |date=16 January 2006 |access-date=10 January 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070211043534/http://www.daleucampeon.4t.com/HISTORIA.htm |archive-date=11 February 2007}}</ref>
The badge is a red U inside a deep-red circle drawn by Luis Malaga, one of the founders of the club.
==Stadium== [[File:Estadio Monumental U vs SF.jpg|thumb|234x234px|Estadio Monumental "U"]] {{main|Estadio Teodoro Lolo Fernandez|Estadio Monumental "U"}}
Universitario's first stadium was ''Estadio Lolo Fernandez''. It had a capacity of 15,000. Its capacity was reduced to 4,000 and now serves as a football academy for its club members and hosts football games for the Segunda División reserve team ''América Cochahuayco'' and youth teams in the youth divisions. It was built in honor of Teodoro "Lolo" Fernandez, Universitario's most revered player.
Estadio Monumental is a stadium that was built by the Peruvian construction company Gremco throughout the 1990s and opened in 2000,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-11-20 |title=Las diez curiosidades del Monumental de Lima, estadio de final de la Libertadores |url=https://www.espn.com.pe/futbol/copa-libertadores/nota/_/id/6337857/las-diez-curiosidades-del-monumental-de-lima-estadio-de-final-de-la-libertadores |access-date=2022-07-23 |website=espn.com.pe |language=es |archive-date=29 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220629042533/https://www.espn.com.pe/futbol/copa-libertadores/nota/_/id/6337857/las-diez-curiosidades-del-monumental-de-lima-estadio-de-final-de-la-libertadores |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Agency |first=Ezlon |title=Monumental de Lima: la historia detrás del estadio más grande de Sudamérica, sede de la final de la Libertadores |url=https://www.marketingregistrado.com/pe/futbol/2019/11/28430_monumental-de-lima-la-historia-detras-del-estadio-mas-grande-de-sudamerica-sede-de-la-final-de-la-libertadores/ |access-date=2022-07-23 |website=Marketing Registrado / La Comunidad del Marketing Deportivo |language=es |archive-date=23 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220723210925/https://www.marketingregistrado.com/pe/futbol/2019/11/28430_monumental-de-lima-la-historia-detras-del-estadio-mas-grande-de-sudamerica-sede-de-la-final-de-la-libertadores/ |url-status=live}}</ref> replacing ''Estadio Lolo Fernandez'' and the ''Nacional''. The inauguration game was between Universitario and Sporting Cristal; Universitario won 2–0. It was given to Universitario the same year it was opened and they now own the largest stadium in Peru with a seating capacity of 80,093. This stadium is the second largest in South America.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fpf.com.pe/escenario.htm |title=Estadio Monumental |work=FPF.com.pe |language=es |access-date=19 June 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070715220059/http://www.fpf.com.pe/escenario.htm |archive-date=15 July 2007}}</ref> Its eastern and western stands are all-seaters and its northern and southern stands have standing terraces. Exactly 1,250 luxury boxes, known as ''palcos'', are above the stands.
The stadium was deemed not fit to host the classic derby between Universitario and Alianza Lima between 2002 and 2007 by the Peruvian Police. The first time this stadium hosted the derby was on 26 June 2002—the first leg of the Apertura play-off—where Universitario won 1–0. Alianza's fans, in the southern stand, reacted violently to the loss by vandalizing the premises and causing two reported stabbings.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://peru.com/futbol/autonoticias/DetalleNoticia16774.asp |title=Autoridades enfrentadas por desmanes del partido "U" – Alianza |work=futbolperuano.com |language=es |access-date=6 October 2007 |date=27 June 2002 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071108230500/http://www.peru.com/futbol/autonoticias/DetalleNoticia16774.asp |archive-date=8 November 2007 |df=dmy-all}}</ref> Consequently, La U was forced to play all future derbies at Estadio Nacional where the Instituto Peruano del Deporte installed artificial turf which is constantly criticized by the First Division players.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://peru.com/futbol/AutoNoticias/FutbolPortada/2007/11/01/DetalleNoticia96488.asp |title=Vuelven las quejas por el sintético del Nacional |language=es |date=1 November 2007 |access-date=1 November 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071102155751/http://www.peru.com/futbol/AutoNoticias/FutbolPortada/2007/11/01/DetalleNoticia96488.asp |archive-date=2 November 2007}}</ref> For the next five years, this derby was not played at this stadium. On 14 September 2008, the derby returned to the Estadio Monumental with a loss for Universitario.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.peru.com/futbol/AutoNoticias/FutbolPortada/2008/09/14/DetalleNoticia108469.asp |title=Alianza Lima no respetó Ate y se llevó el triunfo |work=futbolperuano.com |language=es |date=14 September 2008 |access-date=28 September 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080918002520/http://www.peru.com/FUTBOL/AutoNoticias/FutbolPortada/2008/09/14/DetalleNoticia108469.asp |archive-date=18 September 2008}}</ref>
This stadium was rejected as a venue for the Copa América 2004 because of problems with Alfredo Gonzalez, President of Universitario de Deportes, and the stadium's owners. Many saw this as a typical bullying behavior on the part of the president since this stadium would have been the perfect venue to host the 2004 Copa América intro as well as final games.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://peru.com/futbol/AutoNoticias/DetalleNoticia42752.asp |title=Monumental, Copa América 2004 |work=futbolperuano.com |language=es |date=28 May 2004 |access-date=19 June 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090129223940/http://peru.com/futbol/AutoNoticias/DetalleNoticia42752.asp |archive-date=29 January 2009 |df=dmy-all}}</ref>
==Supporters== thumb|236x236px|Barra Oriente
Universitario's supporters are one of the largest in Peru, only rivaled by Alianza Lima's supporters. Universitario's ultra groups are known as ''Barra Oriente'' and ''Trinchera Norte''. Asociación Barra Dale U, the official name of the Barra Oriente, started in 1968 that notably grown over the years. Trinchera Norte is a barra brava that was formed in 1988; in contrast to Alianza Lima's supporters, named "Comando Svr", "Sicarios", and others. The two most popular teams in Peru are Universitario and Alianza Lima. They are at the top of the polls conducted by many different groups. The group Apoyo, Opinion y Mercado in 2006 revealed that Alianza Lima was popular amongst 35%, followed by Universitario, with 32%.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://peru.com/futbol/AutoNoticias/FutbolPortada/2006/12/13/DetalleNoticia83408.asp |title=Alianza Lima es el más popular |date=13 December 2006 |access-date=26 February 2009 |work=futbolperuano |language=es |trans-title=Alianza Lima is the most popular |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080416211256/http://peru.com/futbol/AutoNoticias/FutbolPortada/2006/12/13/DetalleNoticia83408.asp |archive-date=16 April 2008}}</ref> In 2005, a study by ''Grupo de Opinión Pública de la Universidad de Lima'' showed that Universitario was the most popular team in Lima and Callao with 31.7% followed by Alianza Lima with 29.3%. However, in 2006 and 2007 Alianza Lima appeared first in their polls. There was a narrow margin in 2007 as Alianza Lima reached 29.6% and Universitario followed with 29.5% under a margin of error of ±4.16%<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ulima.edu.pe/webulima.nsf/default/1090CF4DC0FE8CB905256E630017BCEC/$file/barometro_feb_2008.pdf |title=¿De qué equipo peruano de fútbol es hincha o simpatizante? |trans-title=Which Peruvian football team are you a sympathizer or fan of? |access-date=26 February 2009 |author=Grupo de opinión pública de la Universidad de Lima |year=2008 |page=18 |language=es |archive-date=21 December 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081221123551/http://www.ulima.edu.pe/webulima.nsf/default/1090CF4DC0FE8CB905256E630017BCEC/$file/barometro_feb_2008.pdf |url-status=live}}</ref> In 2009, the university's results varied because Alianza reached first with 40% and Universitario second with 35.5% under a margin of error of ±4.47%.<ref>{{cite web |author=Grupo de Opinión Pública de la Universidad de Lima |year=2008 |url=http://www.ulima.edu.pe/webulima.nsf/default/F598031D89943F2F05256E630017BD4C/$file/barometro_social_nov_2008b.pdf |title=V Encuesta Anual sobre el Deporte en el Perú |publisher=ulima.edu.pe |access-date=19 November 2008 |archive-date=2 December 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081202235849/http://www.ulima.edu.pe/webulima.nsf/default/F598031D89943F2F05256E630017BD4C/$file/barometro_social_nov_2008b.pdf |url-status=live}}</ref> Another group known as CPI, revealed in May 2008 that Universitario was favored by 32% whilst Alianza Lima was favored by 33.5% under a margin of error of 2.7% at the national level. This report was divided into two parts. In the metropolitan capital, Universitario led with 42.8% and Alianza tailed behind with 39.9%. In the rest of the country, Universitario had a larger lead with 31.5% opposed to Alianza's 24.1%.<ref name="CPI 2008"/> In 2009, CPI released another poll indicating the Universitario was still the most popular team in Peru with 38.6% while Alianza reached 33.1%.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://depor.pe/noticia/289714/equipo-mas-popular-pais-segun-encuesta-cpi |title=La "U" es el equipo más popular del país, según una encuesta de CPI |access-date=22 May 2009 |author=Depor |year=2009 |language=es |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090523190535/http://depor.pe/noticia/289714/equipo-mas-popular-pais-segun-encuesta-cpi |archive-date=23 May 2009}}</ref> A survey conducted by ''Grupo de Opinión Pública de la Universidad de Lima'' in February 2009, said that Alianza Lima ranked first in popularity with 27.2%; Universitario second with 26.6%.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.elcomercio.com.pe/noticia/270688/879-limenos-desaprueba-gestion-chemo-seleccion-segun-sondeo |title=El 87,9% de limeños desaprueba la gestión de Chemo en la selección |date=8 April 2009 |access-date=8 April 2009 |publisher=ElComercio |language=es |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130113123119/http://www.elcomercio.com.pe/noticia/270688/879-limenos-desaprueba-gestion-chemo-seleccion-segun-sondeo |archive-date=13 January 2013}}</ref> However, a second poll released by the same university group in September of the same year ranked Universitario first with 37.9% and Alianza second with 36.6%.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://depor.pe/noticia/346505/universitario-equipo-mas-hinchas |title=Universitario es el equipo con más hinchas – depor.pe<!-- Bot generated title --> |website=depor.pe |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090927062032/http://depor.pe/noticia/346505/universitario-equipo-mas-hinchas |archive-date=27 September 2009 |access-date=28 September 2009}}</ref> The most recent report from the group indicates that Universitario has more sympathizers than Alianza with 40.6% over 36.% in the Province of Lima and Callao.<ref>{{cite web |author=Grupo de Opinión Pública de la Universidad de Lima |year=2010 |url=http://elcomercio.pe/noticia/419568/encuesta-lima-alianza-universitario-son-candidatos-llevarse-titulo |title=La U es el equipo con más hinchas cabros en la Capital |publisher=ElComercio |access-date=25 February 2010 |language=es |trans-title=Alianza Lima is the team with the most fans in the capital |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100228211923/http://elcomercio.pe/noticia/419568/encuesta-lima-alianza-universitario-son-candidatos-llevarse-titulo |archive-date=28 February 2010}}</ref> In 2010, the South American Football Confederation (Conmebol) stated that Alianza Lima is the most popular team in Perú.<ref>{{cite web |year=2010 |url=http://www.conmebol.com/conmebol/activeCompetition.html?x=40&sub=6&type=1 |title=Santander Libertadores Cup 2010: profile of 40 teams in Santander Libertadores Cup 2010 |publisher=conmebol.com |access-date=17 February 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100218024520/http://www.conmebol.com/conmebol/activeCompetition.html?x=40&sub=6&type=1 |archive-date=18 February 2010}}</ref>
==Players== ===Current squad=== {{Fs start}} {{Fs player|no=1|pos=GK|nat=Peru|name=Diego Romero}} {{Fs player|no=2|pos=DF|nat=Argentina|name=Cain Fara}} {{Fs player|no=3|pos=DF|nat=Paraguay|name=Williams Riveros}} {{Fs player|no=4|pos=DF|nat=Peru|name=Anderson Santamaría}} {{Fs player|no=5|pos=DF|nat=Argentina|name=Matías Di Benedetto}} {{Fs player|no=6|pos=MF|nat=Peru|name=Jesús Castillo}} {{Fs player|no=8|pos=FW|nat=Argentina|name=Héctor Fértoli|other={{small|on loan from Racing Club}}}} {{Fs player|no=10|pos=MF|nat=Peru|name=Horacio Calcaterra}} {{Fs player|no=11|pos=FW|nat=Peru|name=José Rivera}} {{Fs player|no=12|pos=GK|nat=Peru|name=Jhefferson Rodríguez}} {{Fs player|no=14|pos=DF|nat=Peru|name=Paolo Reyna}} {{Fs player|no=16|pos=MF|nat=Argentina|name=Martín Pérez Guedes}} {{Fs player|no=17|pos=MF|nat=Peru|name=Jairo Concha}} {{Fs player|no=19|pos=FW|nat=Peru|name=Edison Flores}} {{Fs player|no=20|pos=FW|nat=Peru|name=Alex Valera}} {{Fs mid}} {{Fs player|no=23|pos=MF|nat=Peru|name=Jorge Murrugarra}} {{Fs player|no=24|pos=FW|nat=Peru|name=Andy Polo}} {{Fs player|no=25|pos=GK|nat=Chile|name=Miguel Vargas}} {{Fs player|no=26|pos=DF|nat=Peru|name=Hugo Ancajima}} {{Fs player|no=27|pos=DF|nat=Ecuador|name=José Carabalí}} {{Fs player|no=29|pos=DF|nat=Peru|name=Aldo Corzo|other=captain}} {{Fs player|no=30|pos=FW|nat=Argentina|name=Lisandro Alzugaray}} {{Fs player|no=33|pos=DF|nat=Peru|name=César Inga}} {{Fs player|no=34|pos=FW|nat=Peru|name=Christopher Loayza}} {{Fs player|no=35|pos=MF|nat=Peru|name=Diogo Vásquez}} {{Fs player|no=36|pos=MF|nat=Peru|name=Fabián Cabanillas}} {{Fs player|no=77|pos=FW|nat=Peru|name=Bryan Reyna|other={{small|on loan from Belgrano}}}} {{Fs player|no=90|pos=FW|nat=Senegal|name=Sekou Gassama}} {{Fs player|no=99|pos=MF|nat=Brazil|name=Miguel Silveira}} {{Fs end}}
===Retired numbers=== {{Main|List of retired numbers in association football}}
* <big>'''9'''</big> – {{flagicon|Peru}} Teodoro "Lolo" Fernández, forward (1930–53) – ''Number retired since the 2013 season.''<ref>[http://www.larepublica.pe/14-01-2013/universitario-de-deportes-retira-dorsal-9-por-centenario-del-lolo-fernandez "Universitario de Deportes retira dorsal '9' por centenario del Lolo Fernández", on ''La República'', 14 January 2013] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130325192840/http://www.larepublica.pe/14-01-2013/universitario-de-deportes-retira-dorsal-9-por-centenario-del-lolo-fernandez |date=25 March 2013 }}</ref> * <big>'''22'''</big> – {{flagicon|Peru}} José Luis Carranza, midfielder (1986–04)
===Out on loan=== {{Fs start}}
{{Fs player|no=7|pos=MF|nat=Peru|name=Yuriel Celi|other=at Sport Boys for the 2026 season}} {{Fs player|no=15|pos=DF|nat=Peru|name=Julinho Astudillo|other=at Cusco FC for the 2026 season}} {{Fs player|no=21|pos=GK|nat=Peru|name=Aamet Calderón|other=at Atlético Grau for the 2026 season}} {{Fs player|no=31|pos=MF|nat=Peru|name=Álvaro Rojas|other=at Cienciano for the 2026 season}} {{Fs player|no=37|pos=FW|nat=Peru|name=Nicolás Rengifo|other=at ADT for the 2026 season}} {{Fs player|no=55|pos=DF|nat=Peru|name=Gustavo Dulanto|other=at Sport Boys for the 2026 season}} {{Fs end}}
==Technical staff== {| class="wikitable" |- ! style="color:#800000; background:#FFFFDA;"|Position ! style="color:#800000; background:#FFFFDA;"|Name |- |Manager ||{{flagicon|Peru}} Jorge Araujo |- |Assistant manager |- |Assistant manager |- |Physical trainer |- |Technical advisor ||{{flagicon|Peru}} Héctor Chumpitaz |- |Goalkeeper manager ||{{flagicon|Peru}} Ángel Venegas |}
===Noted managers=== [[File:DIRE050310SCARONE.jpg|thumb|right|Roberto Scarone won three first division titles with Universitario and led the team to their first and only final of the Copa Libertadores in 1972. Scarone would later become manager of the Peru national football team.]] [[File:Juan Reynoso.jpg|thumb|right|Juan Reynoso won Universitario's twenty-fifth division title in 2009.]]
Seventeen managers won at least one major trophy with the club but only fourteen won the Primera División.<ref name=coach/> Arturo Fernández and Marcos Calderon won a record four major titles with the club.<ref>{{Cite web |author=Joaquín Santiago Parra Jordán |title=Marcos Calderón, el técnico más exitoso en la historia del fútbol peruano |url=https://www.infobae.com/america/peru/2022/06/16/marcos-calderon-el-tecnico-mas-exitoso-en-la-historia-del-futbol-peruano/ |access-date=2025-09-19 |website=infobae |date=16 June 2022 |language=es-ES |archive-date=14 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220714182945/https://www.infobae.com/america/peru/2022/06/16/marcos-calderon-el-tecnico-mas-exitoso-en-la-historia-del-futbol-peruano/ |url-status=live}}</ref> Roberto Scarone won 3 first division titles and also led the club to its first Copa Libertadores final in 1972. Universitario's first manager, Mario de las Casas, led the club to its first championship as a player-manager. Jack Greenwell, the club's only English manager in its history, won the club's second first division title and went on to succeed with the Peru national football team.
Three managers—Miguel Company, Ángel Cappa, and Ricardo Gareca—won a Torneo Apertura trophy but did not win the national championship. Company left the team shortly after winning the 1999 Torneo Apertura whilst Cappa resigned from his position after winning the 2002 Torneo Apertura due to financial difficulties in the club.<ref name=company>{{cite web |last=L'Angel |first=Nacimiento |title=Busco Equipo:Controversial Company |url=http://dechalaca.com/futblogs/busco-equipo/busco-equipo-controversial-company |work=DeChalaca |access-date=24 August 2013 |language=es |date=24 July 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131219034800/http://dechalaca.com/futblogs/busco-equipo/busco-equipo-controversial-company |archive-date=19 December 2013}}</ref><ref name=cappa>{{cite web |last=Behr |first=Raúl |title=Qué Level: Título angelical |url=http://dechalaca.com/hemeroteca/que-level/que-level-titulo-angelical |work=DeChalaca |access-date=24 August 2013 |language=es |date=7 July 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130502215019/http://dechalaca.com/hemeroteca/que-level/que-level-titulo-angelical |archive-date=2 May 2013}}</ref> Gareca was unable to reach the final championship match because of a string of poor results in the 2008 Torneo Clausura.{{fact|date=August 2025}}
{| class="wikitable" |- ! style="color:#800000; background:#FFFFDA;"|Manager ! style="color:#800000; background:#FFFFDA;"|Period ! style="color:#800000; background:#FFFFDA;"|Trophies |- | {{flagicon|Peru}} Mario de las Casas || 1928–29, 1934 || 2 Primera División |- | {{flagicon|England}} Jack Greenwell || 1939 || 1 Primera División |- | {{flagicon|Peru}} Arturo Fernández || 1941–49 || 4 Primera División |- | {{flagicon|Peru}} Segundo Castillo || 1959–62 || 2 Primera División |- | {{flagicon|Peru}} Marcos Calderón || 1964–67, 1985–86 || 4 Primera División |- | {{flagicon|Uruguay}} Roberto Scarone || 1969–74 || 3 Primera División |- | {{flagicon|Uruguay}} Juan Hohberg || 1974 ||1 Primera División |- | {{flagicon|Peru}} Juan Carlos Oblitas || 1987–90 ||1 Primera División |- | {{flagicon|Peru}} Fernando Cuellar || 1990, 1994 ||1 Primera División |- | {{flagicon|Serbia}} Ivica Brzić || 1991–93, 1997 || 1 Primera División |- | {{flagicon|Uruguay}} Sergio Markarián || 1993–94, 1995–96 || 1 Primera División |- | {{flagicon|Argentina}} Osvaldo Piazza || 1997–98 || 1 Primera División |- | {{flagicon|Peru}} Miguel Company || 1999 || 1 Torneo Apertura |- | {{flagicon|Peru}} Roberto Challe || 1999–01, 2015–17 || 2 Primera División |- | {{flagicon|Argentina}} Ángel Cappa || 2002 || 1 Torneo Apertura |- | {{flagicon|Argentina}} Ricardo Gareca || 2007–08 || 1 Torneo Apertura |- | {{flagicon|Peru}} Juan Reynoso || 2009–10 || 1 Primera División |- | {{flagicon|Argentina}} Ángel Comizzo || 2013–14 || 1 Primera División |- | {{flagicon|Uruguay}} Jorge Fossati || 2023, 2025 || 2 Primera División |- | {{flagicon|Argentina}} Fabián Bustos<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Melendez |first=Kevin |date=2023-12-30 |title=Fabián Bustos es presentado como el flamante técnico de Universitario para su centenario |url=https://larepublica.pe/deportes/universitario/2023/12/29/dt-de-la-u-en-vivo-fabian-bustos-o-cesar-farias-ultimas-noticias-sobre-el-nuevo-entrenador-de-universitario-de-deportes-para-la-liga-1-y-copa-libertadores-1315730 |access-date=2023-12-30 |website=larepublica.pe |language=es}}</ref> || 2024–25 || 1 Primera División |}
===Other managers=== *{{flagicon|Peru}} Ramón Quiroga (1993) *{{flagicon|Peru}} Freddy Ternero (1993) *{{flagicon|Uruguay}} Manuel Keosseián (1994) *{{flagicon|Argentina}} Eduardo Luján Manera (1996) *{{flagicon|Peru}} Javier Chirinos ''(interim)'' (2001) *{{flagicon|Argentina}} Osvaldo Piazza (2002) *{{flagicon|Peru}} Javier Chirinos ''(interim)'' (2002) *{{flagicon|Uruguay}} Ricardo "Tato" Ortiz (2003) *{{flagicon|Peru}} Javier Chirinos ''(interim)'' (2003) *{{flagicon|Peru}} Ramón Quiroga (2003) *{{flagicon|Argentina}} Oscar Malbernat (2004)<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |title=Óscar Malbernat: extécnico de Universitario falleció |url=https://andina.pe/agencia/noticia-oscar-malbernat-extecnico-universitario-fallecio-762936.aspx |access-date=2022-07-23 |website=andina.pe |date=9 August 2019 |language=es |archive-date=23 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220723210926/https://andina.pe/agencia/noticia-oscar-malbernat-extecnico-universitario-fallecio-762936.aspx |url-status=live}}</ref> *{{flagicon|Argentina}} Marcelo Trobbiani (2004) *{{flagicon|Argentina}} José Basualdo (2005)<ref>{{Cite web |last=Líbero |title=Universitario: el día que José Basualdo se cobró una "arruga" con Edgardo Bauza VIDEO |url=https://libero.pe/futbol-peruano/1554464-universitario-sporting-cristal-apertura-2005-jose-basualdo-edgardo-bauza-gol-mauricio-mendoza-estadio-nacional |access-date=2022-07-23 |website=libero.pe |date=20 April 2020 |language=es |archive-date=29 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200429234508/https://libero.pe/futbol-peruano/1554464-universitario-sporting-cristal-apertura-2005-jose-basualdo-edgardo-bauza-gol-mauricio-mendoza-estadio-nacional |url-status=live}}</ref> *{{flagicon|Paraguay}} Jorge Amado Nunes (2007) *{{flagicon|Argentina}} Ricardo Gareca (2008) *{{flagicon|Peru}} Juan Reynoso Guzmán (2009–10) *{{flagicon|Argentina}} Salvador Capitano (2010)<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |title="No me arrepiento de venir a Perú, pues dirigir a la 'U' fue un honor", aseguró Salvador Capitano |url=https://andina.pe/agencia/noticia-no-me-arrepiento-venir-a-peru-pues-dirigir-a-u-fue-un-honor-aseguro-salvador-capitano-312173.aspx |access-date=2022-09-04 |website=andina.pe |date=17 August 2010 |language=es |archive-date=4 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220904212205/https://andina.pe/agencia/noticia-no-me-arrepiento-venir-a-peru-pues-dirigir-a-u-fue-un-honor-aseguro-salvador-capitano-312173.aspx |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |title=Salvador Capitano es el nuevo técnico de Universitario de Deportes |url=https://www.futbolred.com/archivo/documento/CMS-7791069 |access-date=2022-09-04 |website=futbolred.com |language=spanish |archive-date=4 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220904212207/https://www.futbolred.com/archivo/documento/CMS-7791069 |url-status=live}}</ref> *{{flagicon|Peru}} Javier Chirinos ''(interim)'' (2010) *{{flagicon|Peru}} José del Solar (2010–11) *{{flagicon|Peru}} Nolberto Solano (2012)<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2019-10-04 |title=Universitario de Deportes: ¿en dónde está el plantel que dirigió Nolberto Solano en su paso por el equipo crema? |url=https://depor.com/futbol-peruano/descentralizado/universitario-deportes-plantel-dirigio-nolberto-solano-paso-equipo-crema-fotos-134585/ |access-date=2022-09-04 |website=Depor |language=es |archive-date=4 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220904213708/https://depor.com/futbol-peruano/descentralizado/universitario-deportes-plantel-dirigio-nolberto-solano-paso-equipo-crema-fotos-134585/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |title=Nolberto Solano debuta como DT de 'U' en empate 1-1 con Vallejo |url=https://andina.pe/agencia/noticia-nolberto-solano-debuta-como-dt-u-empate-11-vallejo-415653.aspx |access-date=2022-09-04 |website=andina.pe |date=9 June 2012 |language=es |archive-date=4 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220904212207/https://andina.pe/agencia/noticia-nolberto-solano-debuta-como-dt-u-empate-11-vallejo-415653.aspx |url-status=live}}</ref> *{{flagicon|Argentina}} Ángel Comizzo (2013–14) *{{flagicon|Peru}} José del Solar (2014)<ref>{{Cite news |last= |first= |date=2014-03-22 |title=Chemo del Solar es el nuevo técnico de Universitario |url=https://elcomercio.pe/deporte-total/futbol-peruano/chemo-solar-nuevo-tecnico-universitario-303862-noticia/ |access-date=2022-09-04 |newspaper=El Comercio |language=es |archive-date=4 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220904212205/https://elcomercio.pe/deporte-total/futbol-peruano/chemo-solar-nuevo-tecnico-universitario-303862-noticia/ |url-status=live}}</ref> *{{flagicon|Peru}} Óscar Ibáñez (2014–15) *{{flagicon|Colombia}} Luis Fernando Suárez (2015) *{{flagicon|Peru}} Roberto Chale (2015–17) *{{flagicon|Argentina}} Pedro Troglio (2017–18) *{{flagicon|Chile}} Nicolás Córdova (2018–2019) *{{flagicon|Argentina}} Ángel Comizzo (2019)<ref>{{Cite web |last=Alarcia |first=Marta Marañón |date=2019-06-06 |title=Comizzo regresa a Universitario |url=https://peru.as.com/peru/2019/06/06/futbol/1559844982_316985.html |access-date=2022-06-24 |website=Diario AS |archive-date=24 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220624074227/https://peru.as.com/peru/2019/06/06/futbol/1559844982_316985.html |url-status=live}}</ref> *{{flagicon|Uruguay}} Gregorio Perez (2020) *{{flagicon|Argentina}} Ángel Comizzo (2020–2021) *{{flagicon|Uruguay}} Gregorio Perez (2021) *{{flagicon|Uruguay}} Alvaro Gutierrez (2022)<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-04-18 |title=Ya es oficial: Álvaro Gutiérrez dejó de ser el técnico de Universitario de Deportes |url=https://www.espn.com.pe/futbol/peru/nota/_/id/10236756/alvaro-gutierrez-no-seguira-como-tecnico-de-universitario-de-deportes-oficial |access-date=2022-06-24 |website=espn.com.pe |language=es |archive-date=24 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220424204007/https://www.espn.com.pe/futbol/peru/nota/_/id/10236756/alvaro-gutierrez-no-seguira-como-tecnico-de-universitario-de-deportes-oficial |url-status=live}}</ref> *{{flagicon|Argentina}} Carlos Compagnucci (2022–2023)
==Honours== === Senior titles === {{small div| ;Keys
* {{legend|gold|outline=#999999|Record}} * {{sup|(s)}} Shared record }}
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="font-size:95%; text-align:center;" ! Type ! width=250px| Competition ! Titles ! Runner-up ! Winning years ! Runner-up years |- | rowspan=1 |'''National'''<br />(League) ! scope=col|Liga 1 |bgcolor=gold|'''29''' |15 | align="left"|1929, 1934, 1939, 1941, 1945, 1946, 1949, 1959, 1960, 1964, 1966, 1967, 1969, 1971, 1974, 1982, 1985, 1987, 1990, 1992, 1993, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2009, 2013, 2023, 2024, 2025 |align="left"|1928, 1932, 1933, 1940, 1955, 1965, 1970, 1972, 1978,1984, 1988, 1995, 2002, 2008, 2020 |- | rowspan=9 | '''Half-year / Short<br />tournament'''<br />(League) ! scope=col|Torneo Apertura |bgcolor=gold|'''9''' |2 | {{left|1998, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2008, 2016, 2020, 2024, 2025}} |align="left"|1969, 2005 |- ! scope=col|Torneo Clausura | '''4''' |6 |align="left"|2000, 2023, 2024, 2025 |align="left"|1997, 1999, 2006, 2007, 2016, 2019 |- ! scope=col|Liguilla Pre-Libertadores | style="text-align:center;" |— |2 |style="text-align:center;" |— | {{left|1996, 1997}} |- ! scope=col|Torneo Plácido Galindo | style="text-align:center;" |— |1 | style="text-align:center;" |— | {{left|1989}} |- ! scope=col|Torneo Regional |bgcolor=gold|'''4''' |4 | {{left|1985, 1987, 1988, 1990–II}} |align="left"|1981, 1989–II, 1990–I, 1991–II |- ! scope=col|Torneo Descentralizado |'''1''' |1 | {{left|1985}} |align="left"|1988 |- ! scope=col|Torneo Zona Metropolitana |bgcolor=gold|'''6''' | style="text-align:center;" |— | {{left|1984, 1987, 1988 Grupo A, 1989–II, 1990–I, 1991–II}} | style="text-align:center;" |— |- ! scope=col|Torneo de Primeros Equipos |'''1''' |2 | {{left|1934}} |align="left"|1932, 1933 |- ! scope=col|Campeonato de Apertura (ANA) | '''3''' |4 | {{left|1945, 1946, 1969}} |align="left"|1947, 1955, 1956, 1961 |- | rowspan=1 | '''National'''<br />(Cups) ! scope=col|Copa Presidente de la República |bgcolor=gold|'''1''' | style="text-align:center;" |— | {{left|1970}} | style="text-align:center;" |— |- | rowspan=1 | '''International'''<br />(Cups) ! scope=col|Copa Libertadores | style="text-align:center;" |— | 1 | style="text-align:center;" |— | {{left|1972}} |- |}
===Friendlies=== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="font-size:95%; text-align:center;" ! Type ! width=250px| Competition ! Titles ! Runner-up ! Winning years ! Runner-up years |- | rowspan=2 | '''National'''<br />(Cup) ! scope=col|Torneo Extraordinario |bgcolor=gold|'''1''' | style="text-align:center;" |— | {{left|1936}} | style="text-align:center;" |— |- ! scope=col|Torneo Relámpago | '''1''' | 2 | {{left|1960}} | {{left|1945, 1950}} |- | rowspan=2 | '''International'''<br />(Cup) ! scope=col|Copa El Gráfico-Perú |'''1''' | 4 | align="left"|2000 | align="left"|1999, 2001–I, 2001–II, 2005 |- ! scope=col|Copa San Juan II |'''1''' | style="text-align:center;" |— | align="left"|2020 | style="text-align:center;" |— |- |}
===Youth team=== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="font-size:95%; text-align:center;" ! Type ! width=250px| Competition ! Titles ! Runner-up ! Winning years ! Runner-up years |- | rowspan=2 |'''National'''<br />(League) ! scope=col|Torneo de Promoción y Reservas |'''1''' |2 |align="left"|2024 |align="left"|2016, 2023 |- ! scope=col|Torneo Equipos de Reserva |bgcolor=gold|'''6''' |5 | align="left"|1930, 1931, 1932, 1955, 1965, 1981 |align="left"|1933, 1934, 1937, 1941, 1951 |- | rowspan=4 |'''Half-year / Short<br>tournament'''<br />(League) ! scope=col|Torneo Apertura (Juvenil Sub-18) | style="text-align:center;" |— | 1 | style="text-align:center;" |— | align="left"|2025 |- ! scope=col|Torneo del Inca (Reservas) |bgcolor=gold|'''2''' | style="text-align:center;" |— | align="left"|2014, 2015 | style="text-align:center;" |— |- ! scope=col|Torneo Apertura (Reservas) | style="text-align:center;" |— |1 | style="text-align:center;" |— | align="left"|2016 |- ! scope=col|Torneo Clausura (Reservas) | style="text-align:center;" |— |1 | style="text-align:center;" |— | align="left"|2016 |- | rowspan=1 |'''International'''<br />(Cups) ! scope=col|U-20 Copa Libertadores | '''1''' | style="text-align:center;" |— | align="left"|2011 | style="text-align:center;" |— |- |}
==Performance in CONMEBOL competitions== *'''Copa Libertadores: 36 appearances''' :1961, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1968, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1979, 1983, 1985, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1991, 1993, 1994, 1996, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2006, 2009, 2010, 2014, 2017, 2018, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2024, 2025, 2026 ::'''Runner-up (1):''' 1972
*'''Copa Sudamericana: 8 appearances''' ::'''2002:''' First Stage ::'''2005:''' First Stage ::'''2007:''' First Stage ::'''2008:''' First Stage ::'''2011:''' Quarterfinals ::'''2015:''' Second Stage ::'''2016:''' First Stage ::'''2023:''' Knockout round play-offs
*'''Copa CONMEBOL: 2 appearances''' ::'''1992:''' First round ::'''1997:''' Semifinals
*'''Copa Merconorte: 4 appearances''' ::'''1998:''' Group Stage ::'''1999:''' Group Stage ::'''2000:''' Group Stage ::'''2001:''' Group Stage
*'''U-20 Copa Libertadores: 3 appearances''' ::'''2011:''' 16px Champion ::'''2012:''' Quarter-finals ::'''2025:''' Group Stage
{| class="wikitable" ! Season ! Competition ! Round ! Opponent ! Home ! Away ! Aggregate ! |- | 1961 | Copa Libertadores | First Round | {{flagicon|URU}} Peñarol | bgcolor="#ddffdd" style="text-align:center;"| 2-0 | bgcolor="#ffdddd" style="text-align:center;"| 0–5 | style="text-align:center;"| 2-5 | 17px |- | rowspan="2"| 1965 | rowspan="2"| Copa Libertadores | rowspan="2"| First Round | {{flagicon|BRA}} Santos FC | bgcolor="#ffdddd" style="text-align:center;"| 1-2 | bgcolor="#ffdddd" style="text-align:center;"| 1-2 | style="text-align:center;" rowspan="2"| '''3rd''' | rowspan="2"| 17px |- | {{flagicon|CHI}} Club Universidad de Chile | bgcolor="#ddffdd" style="text-align:center;"| 1-0 | bgcolor="#ffdddd" style="text-align:center;"| 2-5 |- | rowspan="5"| 1966 | rowspan="5"| Copa Libertadores | rowspan="5"| First Round | {{flagicon|ARG}} River Plate | bgcolor="#ffffdd" style="text-align:center;"| 1-1 | bgcolor="#ffdddd" style="text-align:center;"| 0-5 | style="text-align:center;" rowspan="5"| '''3rd''' | rowspan="5"| 17px |- | {{flagicon|ARG}} Boca Juniors | bgcolor="#ddffdd" style="text-align:center;"| 2-1 | bgcolor="#ffdddd" style="text-align:center;"| 0-2 |- | {{flagicon|VEN}} Deportivo Italia | bgcolor="#ffdddd" style="text-align:center;"| 1-2 | bgcolor="#ffffdd" style="text-align:center;"| 2-2 |- | {{flagicon|PER}} Alianza Lima | bgcolor="#ddffdd" style="text-align:center;"| 2-0 | bgcolor="#ddffdd" style="text-align:center;"| 1-0 |- | {{flagicon|VEN}} Lara F.C. | bgcolor="#ddffdd" style="text-align:center;"| 1-0 | bgcolor="#ffffdd" style="text-align:center;"| 0-0 |}
==Other sports== ===Women’s football=== {{Main|Club Universitario de Deportes (women)}}
===Futsal=== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="font-size:95%; text-align:center;" ! Type ! width=250px| Competition ! Titles ! Runner-up ! Winning years ! Runner-up years |- | rowspan=1 |'''National'''<br />(League) ! scope=col|Primera División Futsal Pro |'''3''' |4 | align="left"|2005, 2019, 2024 |align="left"|2006, 2022, 2023, 2025 |- |} *'''Copa Libertadores de Futsal: 2 appearances''' ::'''2006:''' Quarterfinals ::'''2021:''' 5th Place
===Women's volleyball === {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="font-size:95%; text-align:center;" ! Type ! width="300px" | Competition ! Titles ! Runner-up ! Winning years ! Runner-up years |- | rowspan="2" |'''National'''<br />(League) ! scope="col" |Liga Intermedia de Voleibol |'''1''' |style="text-align:center;" |— | align="left" |2024 |style="text-align:center;" |— |- |}
==Ranking== '''IFFHS MEN'S CLUB WORLD RANKING 2023 at MAY 31''' (Previous year rank in italics, IFFHS Club Coefficients in parentheses)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://iffhs.com/posts/2808 |title=IFFHS Team Ranking |work=IFFHS |access-date=13 June 2023 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230613153041/https://iffhs.com/posts/2808 |archive-date=13 June 2023}}</ref>
* 198 15px (''216'') {{flagicon|Turkey}} Galatasaray S.K. (84) * 199 15px (''208'') {{flagicon|England}} Brentford F.C. (84) * '''201''' 15px (''237'') {{flagicon|Peru}} '''Universitario de Deportes (83)''' * 202 15px (''207'') {{flagicon|USA}} Philadelphia Union (82,5) * 203 15px (''249'') {{flagicon|Colombia}} América de Cali (82,5)
==Records== *'''Seasons in Primera División:''' 94 (1928–2022) (Peruvian football's longest consecutive spell in Primera División)<ref name="RSSSF"/> *'''Record Primera División victory:''' 9–0 ''v.'' Atlético Torino (19 September 1970)<ref name="RSSSF"/> *'''Record Copa Libertadores victory:''' 6–0 ''v.'' Always Ready (27 Feb 1968)<ref name="RSSSF"/> *'''Record Primera División defeat:''' **0–6 ''v.'' Sport Boys (1994)<ref name="RSSSF"/> **0–6 ''v.'' Deportivo Municipal (1937)<ref name="RSSSF"/> *'''Record Copa Libertadores defeat:''' 0–6 ''v.'' Rosario Central (21 Feb 2001)<ref name="RSSSF"/> *'''Longest unbeaten run:''' 36, 27 May 1974 to 27 February 1975 (Peruvian football's longest unbeaten run)<ref>{{cite web |last=José Luis |first=Pierrend |title=Universitario's series of 36 matches unbeaten in the Peruvian First Division |url=https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/unb-universitario36.html |work=RSSSF |access-date=23 August 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131030023357/http://www.rsssf.com/miscellaneous/unb-universitario36.html |archive-date=30 October 2013}}</ref> *'''Most appearances overall:''' 524, José Luis Carranza 1986–04 *'''Most goals scored in a season:''' 37, Eduardo Esidio 1998–00<ref name="goals">{{cite web |url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesp/perutops.html |last=Andrés |first=Juan Pablo |author2=Pierrend, José Luis |author3=Nieto Tarazona, Carlos Manuel |date=2 March 2007 |title=Peru – List of First Division Topscorers |work=RSSSF |access-date=18 March 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140717083206/http://rsssf.com/tablesp/perutops.html |archive-date=17 July 2014}}</ref> *'''Most goals scored overall:''' 156, Teodoro "Lolo" Fernández 1930–53<ref name=records>{{cite web |title=Universitario 77 Años |url=http://www.delgol.com/especialu/esta.htm |work=Del Gol |access-date=23 August 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080505115827/http://www.delgol.com/especialu/esta.htm |language=es |archive-date=5 May 2008}}</ref> *'''Most Primera División titles as player:''' 7, Ángel Uribe, Luis Cruzado, José Luis Carranza<ref>{{cite web |last=Giuffra |first=José Augusto |title=Ángel Uribe: El ángel de Odriozola |url=http://dechalaca.com/hemeroteca/lo-justo-tio/angel-uribe-el-angel-de-odriozola |work=RSSSF |access-date=23 August 2013 |language=es |date=15 August 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130617144802/http://dechalaca.com/hemeroteca/lo-justo-tio/angel-uribe-el-angel-de-odriozola |archive-date=17 June 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Chaparro |first=Claudio |title=Siempre quise regalar alegría |url=http://www.larepublica.pe/25-12-2004/siempre-quise-regalar-alegria |work=La Republica |access-date=23 August 2013 |language=es |date=25 December 2004 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203041253/http://www.larepublica.pe/25-12-2004/siempre-quise-regalar-alegria |archive-date=3 December 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Behr |first=Raúl |title=Luis Cruzado: Arte colorado |url=http://dechalaca.com/especiales-dechalaca/el-club-de-los-100/luis-cruzado-arte-colorado |work=DeChalaca |access-date=23 August 2013 |language=es |date=29 June 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131202230032/http://dechalaca.com/especiales-dechalaca/el-club-de-los-100/luis-cruzado-arte-colorado |archive-date=2 December 2013}}</ref> *'''Most Primera División titles as manager:''' 4, Arturo Fernández, Marcos Calderón<ref name=coach>{{cite web |last=Silvar |first=Cesar |title=Peru – Championship Winning Coaches |url=https://www.rsssf.org/players/peru-winning-coaches.html |work=RSSSF |access-date=23 August 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130512145603/http://rsssf.com/players/peru-winning-coaches.html |archive-date=12 May 2013}}</ref>
=== Year-by-year === {{Main list|List of Universitario de Deportes seasons}} This is a partial list of the last five seasons completed by Universitario. For the full season-by-season history, see List of Universitario de Deportes seasons. {| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center" |- !width=60px rowspan=2|Season !colspan="8"|League !colspan=2|Position !rowspan=2 colspan=2|National cups !rowspan=2 colspan=2|Continental / other !colspan=2|Tournament top goalscorer(s) |- ! Competition !width="20"|{{tooltip|Pld|Games played}} !width="20"|{{tooltip|W|Games won}} !width="20"|{{tooltip|D|Games drawn}} !width="20"|{{tooltip|L|Games lost}} !width="20"|{{tooltip|GF|Goals scored}} !width="20"|{{tooltip|GA|Goals against}} !width="20"|{{tooltip|Pts|Points}} !width="20"|{{tooltip|Pos|Regular season position}} !width="20"|Play-offs{{efn|Since 1966, play-off games have been used as a tie breaker between teams tie on points for promotion or relegation or as a post-season stage to decided the national championship. Whenever they have occurred, the club's position on that stage is shown in this column.}} !Name(s) !Goals |- !rowspan=3|2018 |Torneo de Verano |14 |2 |7 |5 |16 |21 |13 |8th |rowspan=3|DNQ |rowspan=3|{{sort dash}} |rowspan=3|{{sort dash}} |rowspan=3|Copa Libertadores |rowspan=3|R1 |rowspan=3|{{sort dash}} |rowspan=3|{{sort dash}} |- |Torneo Apertura |15 |4 |6 |5 |18 |21 |18 |11th |- |Torneo Clausura |15 |8 |2 |5 |20 |17 |26 |4th |- !rowspan=2|2019 |Torneo Apertura |17 |6 |5 |6 |25 |27 |23 |12th |rowspan=2|DNQ |rowspan=2|Copa Bicentenario |rowspan=2|QF |rowspan=2 colspan=2|DNQ |rowspan=2|{{flagicon|ARG}} Germán Denis |rowspan=2|10 |- |Torneo Clausura |17 |9 |6 |2 |16 |10 |33 |2nd |- !rowspan=2|2020 |Torneo Apertura |19 |13 |4 |2 |38 |18 |42 |1st |bgcolor=silver rowspan=2|2nd{{efn|Universitario lost the Championship play-offs against Sporting Cristal.}} |rowspan=2|Copa Bicentenario |rowspan=2|{{sort dash}}{{efn|The Copa Bicentenario was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.}} |rowspan=2|Copa Libertadores |rowspan=2|R2 |rowspan=2|{{flagicon|PER}} Alejandro Hohberg |rowspan=2|13 |- |Torneo Clausura |9 |3 |2 |4 |12 |17 |11 |6th |- !rowspan=2|2021 |Fase 1 |9 |4 |3 |2 |12 |11 |15 |3rd |rowspan=2 bgcolor=cc9966|3rd |rowspan=2|Copa Bicentenario |rowspan=2|R1 |rowspan=2|Copa Libertadores |rowspan=2|GS |rowspan=2|{{flagicon|PER}} Alex Valera |rowspan=2|13 |- |Fase 2 |17 |9 |5 |3 |31 |19 |32 |3rd |- ! rowspan="2" |2022 |Torneo Apertura |18 |8 |4 |6 |24 |19 |28 |9th | rowspan="2" |DNQ | rowspan="2" |{{sort dash}} | rowspan="2" |{{sort dash}} | rowspan="2" |Copa Libertadores | rowspan="2" |R2 | rowspan="2" |{{flagicon|PER}} Alex Valera | rowspan="2" |12 |- |Torneo Clausura |18 |9 |6 |3 |26 |10 |33 |4th |}
==See also== *List of Club Universitario de Deportes players *Club Universitario de Deportes in South American football *Club Universitario de Deportes–Sporting Cristal rivalry *Peruvian Clásico *Iluminados
==Notes== {{Notelist}} <references group="nb" />
==References== {{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}
==External links== *[http://www.universitario.pe/ Official Website] {{in lang|es}} *[http://www.daleucampeon.com DALEUCAMPEON Statistics and pictures] {{in lang|es}} *{{facebook|Universitario}} *{{twitter|universitario}} *{{flickr|clubuniversitario}} *{{YouTube|channel=UniversitarioTV}} *{{instagram|universitario1924}}
{{Club Universitario de Deportes}} {{Universitario de Deportes squad}} {{Universitario de Deportes Managers}} {{Primera División Peruana}} {{U20 Copa Libertadores winners}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Universitario}} Category:Club Universitario de Deportes Category:Association football clubs established in 1924 Category:Football clubs in Lima Category:1924 establishments in Peru Category:Unrelegated association football clubs