List of British and Irish varsity matches

A '''varsity match''' in Britain and Ireland is a fixture, especially of a sporting event or team, between university teams, usually the highest-level team, or varsity team, in that sport.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/varsity|title=Varsity|access-date=23 September 2018|work=Oxford Living Dictionary|publisher=Oxford University Press|archive-date=24 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180924033834/https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/varsity|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-02-06 |title=UK University Varsity: Everything You Need To Know |url=https://www.studentsportcompany.com/news/uk-university-varsity-everything-you-need-to-know/ |access-date=2025-06-08 |website=The Student Sport Company |language=en-US}}</ref>

The longest-running series of varsity matches in the world is between the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge, a key feature of Oxford–Cambridge rivalry.<ref>{{Citation |last=Jones |first=H. S. |title=University and College Sport |date=2000-11-16 |work=The History of the University of Oxford: Volume VII: Nineteenth-Century Oxford, Part 2 |editor-last=Brock |editor-first=M. G. |pages=516–543 |url=https://doi.org/10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199510177.003.0022 |access-date=2025-06-01 |publisher=Oxford University Press |doi=10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199510177.003.0022 |isbn=978-0-19-951017-7 |editor2-last=Curthoys |editor2-first=M. C. |url-access=subscription}}</ref> The University Match in cricket, first played in 1827, is the oldest varsity match in the world.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |date=2016-06-20 |title=Oxford and Cambridge Play Their First Cricket Match |url=https://www.historychannel.com.au/this-day-in-history/oxford-and-cambridge-play-their-first-cricket-match/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180924035245/https://www.historychannel.com.au/this-day-in-history/oxford-and-cambridge-play-their-first-cricket-match/ |archive-date=2018-09-24 |access-date=2025-06-08 |work=History Channel |language=en-US}}</ref>{{Efn|The oldest sporting rivalry between two schools is the Eton v Harrow cricket match, which first took place in 1805.}} The Boat Race followed, begnning in 1829.<ref name=":2">{{Cite news |title=The Basics |url=http://www.theboatrace.org/the-basics |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180924033820/http://www.theboatrace.org/the-basics |archive-date=2018-09-24 |access-date=2025-06-08 |work=The Boat Race |language=en-GB}}</ref> The ''Cambridge and Oxford Athletic Games'' in track and field, first held in 1864, pioneered modern athletic competition.<ref name=":12">{{Cite web |title=History |url=https://www.cuac.org.uk/history#:~:text=The%20events%20in%20the%20first,were%20'individual'%20competitions,%20with |access-date=2025-05-17 |website=CUAC |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":22">{{Cite web |title=History of the Club |url=https://www.ouac.org/history-club |access-date=2025-05-18 |website=www.ouac.org |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":5">{{Cite web |title=The Varsity Match |url=https://worldathletics.org/heritage/plaque/list/the-varsity-match |website=World Athletics}}</ref> The Scottish Varsity match in rugby union between the University of St Andrews and the University of Edinburgh, dating to the 1860s, is the oldest varsity match in the world in a code of football.<ref name=":0">{{cite news|url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/13214474.World_s_oldest_varsity_match_returns_to_Scotland/|date=19 May 2015|title=World's oldest varsity match returns to Scotland|work=The Herald (Glasgow)|access-date=23 September 2018|archive-date=24 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180924033812/https://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/13214474.World_s_oldest_varsity_match_returns_to_Scotland/|url-status=live}}</ref>{{Efn|The Oxford-Cambridge varsity matches in rugby union and association football were first held in 1872 and 1874 respectively although intercollegiate matches in association football date back earlier.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Harvey |first=Adrian |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=aH1PpJFygvsC |title=Football: The First Hundred Years: The Untold Story |date=2013-05-13 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-134-26912-9 |language=en |pages=41–45, 150–151}}</ref> The 1869 Princeton vs. Rutgers football game was the first intercollegiate football (soccer) game in the United States while the first intercollegiate rugby football game in the United States took place in 1874 when Harvard University played against McGill University.}} The Oxford v Cambridge women's University Match in (field) hockey was first played in 1895, making it the oldest women's varsity match in the world.<ref name=":4" /> Varsity matches held between Oxford and Cambridge influenced the development of college sports in the United States,<ref name=":3">{{Cite book |last=Smith |first=Ronald Austin |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NiwpDwAAQBAJ |title=Sports and Freedom: The Rise of Big-time College Athletics |date=1988 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=978-0-19-506582-4 |language=en |quote=Perhaps more than any other two colleges, Harvard and Yale gave form to American intercollegiate athletics--a form that was inspired by the Oxford-Cambridge rivalry overseas, and that was imitated by colleges and universities throughout the United States. Focusing on the influence of these prestigious eastern institutions, this fascinating study traces the origins and development of intercollegiate athletics in America from the mid-nineteenth century to the early twentieth century.}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last=Lewis |first=Guy |date=1970 |title=The Beginning of Organized Collegiate Sport |url=https://history.msu.edu/hst329/files/2015/05/LewisGuy-TheBeginning.pdf |journal=American Quarterly |volume=22 |issue=2 |pages=222–229 |doi=10.2307/2711645 |issn=0003-0678 |jstor=2711645 |archive-date=23 May 2025 |access-date=17 May 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250523011818/https://history.msu.edu/hst329/files/2015/05/LewisGuy-TheBeginning.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2013-05-14 |title=A History of Collegiate Rowing in America |url=https://heartheboatsing.com/2013/05/14/a-history-of-collegiate-rowing-in-america/ |access-date=2025-05-17 |website=Hear The Boat Sing |language=en-GB}}</ref> and other countries around the world.<ref name=":122">{{Cite book |last=Nigel |first=Fenner |title=Cambridge Sport: in Fenner's Hands |publisher=Cambridge Sports Tours |year=2023 |isbn=9781739330408 |quote=At this time, in the second half of the nineteenth century, England was experiencing a sporting revolution that went global, with Cambridge ... having a significant impact. |postscript=none}}; {{Cite web |last=Edwards |first=Ashley |date=2019-09-12 |title=History of Sport in Cambridge: Cradle of a Leisure Revolution |url=https://www.sport.cam.ac.uk/events/history-sport-cambridge-cradle-leisure-revolution |access-date=2025-05-17 |website=www.sport.cam.ac.uk |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Holt |first=Richard |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vtChCoG6veMC |title=Sport and the British: A Modern History |date=1990 |publisher=Clarendon Press |isbn=978-0-19-285229-8 |pages=6–7 |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":10">{{Cite news |last=Clarey |first=Christopher |date=2012-07-26 |title=Britain's Living Legacy to the Games: Sports |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/27/sports/olympics/27iht-srolbritish27.html |access-date=2025-05-17 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331 |quote=most of the countries in the world still play British sports or sports that were derived from British sports}}</ref>

A number of city and regional sporting rivalries exist between universities, which are also dubbed varsity matches. Unlike the Oxford–Cambridge matches, which are stand alone events in each sport, some of the more recent varsity competitions are multi-sport varsity competitions. The Roses Tournament between the universities of York and Lancaster is one of the oldest and largest of these, dating back to 1965. It is frequently referred to as the largest inter-university sports tournament in Europe.<ref>{{cite news |author=Helen Johnson |date=18 May 2018 |title=Wars of the roses: How the rivalry between Yorkshire and Lancashire still exists today |url=https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/wars-of-the-roses-how-the-rivalry-between-yorkshire-and-lancashire-still-exists-today-1-9170624 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180924033449/https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/wars-of-the-roses-how-the-rivalry-between-yorkshire-and-lancashire-still-exists-today-1-9170624 |archive-date=24 September 2018 |access-date=23 September 2018 |work=The Yorkshire Post |publisher=Johnston Publishing Ltd |quote=The sporting rivalry between the two counties has even filtered through to University life, with an annual sporting competition called the ‘Roses Tournament’ existing between University of York and Lancaster University. This tournament began in 1965 and has been described numerous times as the largest inter-university sports tournament in Europe.}}</ref>

Most inter-university sport in Britain is now governed and organised by British Universities and Colleges Sport, alongside Scottish Student Sport, and in Ireland by Student Sport Ireland.<ref>{{Cite web |title=University sports teams and elite sports |url=https://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/student-advice/where-to-study/university-sports-teams-and-elite-sports |access-date=2025-06-07 |website=Complete University Guide |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-09-22 |title=Welcoming the powers of student sport |url=https://sportfirst.sportscotland.org.uk/articles-archive/the-powers-of-student-sport/index.html |access-date=2025-06-20 |website=Sport First |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Home |url=https://www.studentsport.ie/ |access-date=2025-06-07 |website=Student Sport |language=en-GB}}</ref>

==Varsity in England== ===Interregional rivalries=== *Anglia Ruskin University v University of East London **Challenge Cup<ref name="challenge cup">{{cite web|url=https://www.uelunion.org/ents/event/183/|title=UEL Sports Challenge Cup|publisher=UEL Students' Union|access-date=23 September 2018|archive-date=24 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180924070743/https://www.uelunion.org/ents/event/183/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://uel.ac.uk/about-uel/news/2022/march/challenge-cup-back-2022|title=Challenge Cup is back for 2022|date=30 March 2022|website=University of East London|access-date=23 November 2023}}</ref> *University of Bath v Cardiff Metropolitan University (Wales) ** Varsity<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thesubath.com/sport/varsity/2022/|website=Bath Students' Union|title=Varsity 2022|access-date=23 November 2023}}</ref> *Bath Spa University v University of Winchester ** Varsity<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bathspasu.co.uk/events/6013/214/|title=Varsity: Bath Spa vs Winchester|date=2015|publisher=Bath Spa Students' Union|access-date=23 September 2018|archive-date=24 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180924145213/https://www.bathspasu.co.uk/events/6013/214/|url-status=live}}</ref> *Bradford University v King's College London ** The Tolstoy Cup (since 1992) *Camborne School of Mines v Royal School of Mines ** The Bottle Match (since 1902) *University of Cambridge v University of Oxford – today comprising around 50 events, including the following<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-11-10 |title=Varsity Matches |url=https://www.sport.cam.ac.uk/student-sport/varsity-matches |access-date=2025-05-17 |website=www.sport.cam.ac.uk |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=The Varsity Series |url=https://www.sport.ox.ac.uk/varsity |access-date=2025-05-17 |website=www.sport.ox.ac.uk |language=en}}</ref> **The University Match (since 1827) – cricket **The Boat Race (since 1829), the Women's Boat Race (1927) and the Lightweight Boat Races (since 1975) – rowing **Athletics (since 1864 for men and 1974 for women) – pioneered modern athletic competition<ref name=":122" /><ref name=":5"/><ref name=":12"/><ref name=":22"/> **University Golf Match (since 1878) **The Varsity Polo Match (1878) **The Varsity Match (since 1872 for men and 1988 for women) – rugby union<ref>{{Cite web |title=History |url=https://www.thevarsitymatches.com/history |access-date=2025-05-17 |website=The Varsity Matches |language=en}}</ref> **Football Varsity (since 1874) – association football<ref>{{Cite web |last=Keating |first=Jessica |date=2024-03-05 |title=150 years of Varsity football |url=https://www.cam.ac.uk/stories/150-years-Varsity-football |access-date=2025-05-17 |website=www.cam.ac.uk |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2024-03-06 |title=University of Cambridge marks 150 years of Varsity football with Oxford |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cambridgeshire-68478932 |access-date=2025-05-17 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref> **Inter-Varsity Cross-Country Race (since 1880 for men and 1976 for women)<ref>{{Cite web |title=History of the Varsity Matches |url=https://www.ouccc.org.uk/history-varsity-matches |access-date=2025-05-17 |website=www.ouccc.org.uk |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=The Inter-'Varsity Cross-Country Race |url=https://cuhh.soc.srcf.net/about/history/varsityhistory/ |access-date=2025-05-17 |website=CUHH}}</ref> **Ice Hockey Varsity Match (since 1885) – the world's oldest ice hockey rivalry<ref>{{Cite news |date=2018-03-23 |title=A hockey rivalry for the ages: Cambridge, Oxford prepare to play 100th varsity match |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/hockey/a-hockey-rivalry-for-the-ages-cambridge-oxford-prepare-to-mark-100thmatch/article38342451/ |access-date=2025-06-25 |work=The Globe and Mail |language=en-CA}}</ref> **University Hockey Match (since 1890 for men and 1895 for women – first women's varsity match in the world)<ref name=":4">{{Cite thesis |title=The bipartite development of men's and women's field hockey |url=https://fieldhockey.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/John-McBryde-UBC_1986_A7_5M22.pdf}}</ref> **Varsity Match in water polo (since 1891) **Boxing and fencing (since 1897)<ref>{{Cite web |last=Prescott |first=Jack |date=2014-05-11 |title=Oxford University Amateur Boxing Club in brief |url=https://cherwell.org/2014/05/11/oxford-university-amateur-boxing-club-in-brief/ |access-date=2025-05-31 |website=Cherwell |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=History |url=https://www.oufencing.com/history-1 |access-date=2025-05-31 |website=Oxford University Fencing Club |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=History of OUABC |url=https://www.ouabc.com/history |access-date=2025-05-31 |website=boxing |language=en}}</ref> **The Varsity Game (since 1921) – basketball **Varsity Trip (since 1922) – skiing **Rugby League Varsity Match (since 1981) **The Varsity Yacht Race (since 2003) *Durham University v Loughborough University ** BUCS Varsity<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bucs.org.uk/news.asp?itemid=16390&itemTitle=%23BUCSwednesday+Focus+on+Loughborough&section=8&sectionTitle=News|title=#BUCSwednesday Focus on Loughborough|date=5 November 2014|access-date=9 October 2015|publisher=BUCS|archive-date=15 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211015225518/https://www.bucs.org.uk/news.asp?itemid=16390&itemTitle=%23BUCSwednesday+Focus+on+Loughborough&section=8&sectionTitle=News|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|newspaper=Palatinate|url=http://www.palatinate.org.uk/?p=62310|date=7 October 2015|first=Simon|last=Carey|access-date=9 October 2015|title=Want to get involved with sport? You're at the right University|archive-date=12 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151012234135/http://www.palatinate.org.uk/?p=62310|url-status=live}}</ref> or D-Day (Durham Day)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.lboro.ac.uk/sport/events/2023/d-day/|title=D-Day Durham Varsity|website=Loughborough University Sport|access-date=23 November 2023|date=18 October 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.lboro.ac.uk/sport/news/2018/october/durham-day-ends-in-a-draw/|title=Durham Day ends in draw|date=19 October 2018|website=Loughborough University Sport|access-date=23 November 2023}}</ref> ** Intramural Varsity (Durham colleges v Loughborough intramural sports)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://loughboroughsport.com/ims/durham-varsity/|title=Durham Varsity|access-date=30 October 2016|publisher=Loughborough Sport|archive-date=30 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161030203809/http://loughboroughsport.com/ims/durham-varsity/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.lboro.ac.uk/sport/events/2023/varsity/|title=IMS Varsity v Durham|date=26 February 2023|website=Loughborough University Sport|access-date=23 November 2023}}</ref> *Durham University v University of York ** College Varsity – between Durham colleges and York Colleges, started 2014 as a replacement for the White Rose Varsity<ref name="College Varsity">{{cite news|newspaper=Palatinate|url=http://www.palatinate.org.uk/?p=44733|first=Maddy|last=Sears|date=30 January 2014|access-date=7 October 2015|title=York College Varsity Announced|archive-date=21 August 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150821113532/http://www.palatinate.org.uk/?p=44733|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="College Varsity York">{{cite news|newspaper=York Vision|url=http://www.yorkvision.co.uk/sport/new-college-varsity/29/10/2013|title=New College Varsity|first=James|last=Pascoe|date=29 October 2013|access-date=8 October 2015|archive-date=6 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306010724/http://www.yorkvision.co.uk/sport/new-college-varsity/29/10/2013|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://thetab.com/uk/york/2023/03/13/uni-of-york-wins-college-varsity-competition-against-durham-university-30846|title=Uni of York wins College Varsity competition against Durham University|author=Jess Rolfe|work=The Tab|date=13 March 2023}}</ref> ** James – Collingwood tournament annually between James College, York and Collingwood College, Durham since 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.york.ac.uk/colleges/james/prospective/sport/|title=Sport|access-date=8 October 2015|publisher=James College, York|archive-date=4 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304050346/https://www.york.ac.uk/colleges/james/prospective/sport/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|newspaper=Palatinate|url=https://www.palatinate.org.uk/?p=17505|title=Collingwood host college from York University|first=Kate|last=Houghton|date=24 November 2011|access-date=8 October 2015|archive-date=15 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211015225522/https://www.palatinate.org.uk/collingwood-host-college-of-york-university/|url-status=live}}</ref> ** Josephine Butler – Langwith varsity: Annual home-and-away (York in the autumn, Durham in the summer) tournaments between Josephine Butler College, Durham and Langwith College, York held since 2013.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.yorkvision.co.uk/sport/langwith-succumb-to-josephine-butler/29/10/2013|newspaper=York Vision|title=Langwith succumb to Josephine-Butler|first=Dave|last=Washington|date=29 October 2013|access-date=9 October 2015|archive-date=5 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305183754/http://www.yorkvision.co.uk/sport/langwith-succumb-to-josephine-butler/29/10/2013|url-status=live}}</ref> * Kingston University v University of Surrey **Varsity<ref>{{cite web |title=Varsity 2016 |url=https://blogs.surrey.ac.uk/hongkong-blog/2016/03/14/varsity-2016/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180925141933/https://blogs.surrey.ac.uk/hongkong-blog/2016/03/14/varsity-2016/ |archive-date=25 September 2018 |access-date=24 September 2018 |publisher=University of Surrey}}</ref> (2010 to 2016) – replaced by two regional rivalries: Kingston v City and Surrey v Royal Holloway * Lancaster University v University of York ** The Roses Tournament (since 1965) – multi-sport varsity competition * University of Leeds v University of Liverpool v University of Manchester ** The Christie Cup (since 1886)<ref>{{Cite web |title=History of the Christie Championships - Leeds, Manchester & Liverpool |url=https://www.christiechampionships.com/about-christie-cup |access-date=2025-05-18 |website=Christie Championships |language=en-GB}}</ref> * Leeds Beckett University v Manchester Metropolitan University ** Battle of the North<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www2.mmu.ac.uk/news-and-events/news/story/?id=5499 |title=Manchester Met students take on The Battle of the North |date=21 April 2017 |publisher=Manchester Metropolitan University |access-date=24 September 2018 |archive-date=15 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211015225520/https://www.mmu.ac.uk/news-and-events/news/story/?id=5499 |url-status=live}}</ref> * University of Sunderland v York St John University ** Varsity<ref name="Sunderland">{{cite web|url=https://services.sunderland.ac.uk/universitysport/clubs--teams/varsity-events/|title=Varsity Events|publisher=University of Sunderland|access-date=23 September 2018|archive-date=24 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180924070906/https://services.sunderland.ac.uk/universitysport/clubs--teams/varsity-events/|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Regional rivalries===

====East==== *University of East Anglia v University of Essex ** Derby Day<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.essexstudent.com/derbyday/|title=Derby Day|publisher=University of Essex Students' Union|access-date=23 September 2018|archive-date=24 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180924070814/https://www.essexstudent.com/derbyday/|url-status=live}}</ref>

====London====

*King's College London v University College London ** London Varsity Series – multiple sports over 8 days, culminating in the London Varsity rugby match<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.londonvarsityseries.org|title=London Varsity Series|website=londonvarsityseries.org|access-date=23 September 2018|archive-date=24 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180924070808/https://www.londonvarsityseries.org/|url-status=live}}</ref> * London School of Economics v Imperial College London ** The City Varsity<ref> {{cite news| title=The City Varsity: ICL vs LSE|work=Felix|access-date=20 January 2023|url=https://felixonline.co.uk/issue/1791/sport/the-city-varsity-icl-vs-lse |date=10 February 2022|author1=Billy Draper-Barr |author2= Georgina Hagger}}</ref> – men's and women's rugby *Brunel University v St Mary's University, Twickenham ** West London Varsity<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.stmaryssu.co.uk/varsity|title=West London Varsity|publisher=St Mary's University Students' Union|access-date=23 September 2018|archive-date=24 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180924070634/https://www.stmaryssu.co.uk/varsity|url-status=live}}</ref> – rugby, football, basketball, netball and cricket * City, University of London v Kingston University London ** Varsity<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.kingstonstudents.net/varsity|title=Varsity|publisher=Kingston University Students' Union|access-date=23 September 2018|archive-date=24 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180924070941/https://www.kingstonstudents.net/varsity|url-status=live}}</ref> *University of East London v Middlesex University **Varsity<ref>{{cite web|url=https://uelsportsblog.wordpress.com/2015/03/06/varsity-2015/|title=Varsity 2015|publisher=UELSports|access-date=23 September 2018|archive-date=24 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180924071104/https://uelsportsblog.wordpress.com/2015/03/06/varsity-2015/|url-status=live}}</ref> – replaced by UEL v Anglia Ruskin Challenge Cup from 2016<ref name="challenge cup"/> *Goldsmiths, University of London v University of the Arts London ** The Arts Cup<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gold.ac.uk/calendar/?id=1566|title=Varsity challenge: University of the Arts -v-Goldsmiths|publisher=Goldsmiths, University of London|access-date=23 September 2018|archive-date=24 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180924070921/https://www.gold.ac.uk/calendar/?id=1566|url-status=live}}</ref> – basketball, football, hockey, netball and rugby *Imperial College London v Imperial College School of Medicine ** VarsityFest<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.imperial.ac.uk/sport/club-sport/varsity/|title=VarsityFest|publisher=Imperial College London|access-date=23 September 2018|archive-date=24 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180924070913/http://www.imperial.ac.uk/sport/club-sport/varsity/|url-status=live}}</ref> – rugby, hockey, netball, football, lacrosse, basketball, tennis *King's College London v King's College London School of Medicine ** The Macadam Cup (since 2004)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.kclsu.org/macadamcup2018/|title=Macadam Cup 2018|publisher=KCL Students' Union|access-date=23 September 2018|archive-date=24 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180924070915/https://www.kclsu.org/macadamcup2018/|url-status=live}}</ref> – swimming gala, water polo, badminton, squash, hockey (men and women), mixed fencing, mixed tennis, ultimate frisbee, rugby (men and women), netball, lacrosse, football (men and women) and darts * University of London Colleges and Imperial College School of Medicine ** Allom Cup (since 1949) – Rowing<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ulbc.co.uk/allom-cup/|title=Allom Cup|publisher=University of London Boat Club|access-date=23 September 2018|archive-date=15 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170715132741/https://ulbc.co.uk/allom-cup/|url-status=live}}</ref> *Queen Mary, University of London v Queen Mary, University of London, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry ** The Merger Cup (since 1995)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.qmsu.org/mergercup/|title=What is Merger Cup|publisher=QMUL Students' Union|access-date=23 September 2018|archive-date=24 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180924105836/https://www.qmsu.org/mergercup/|url-status=live}}</ref> – rugby, football, hockey, rowing, tennis, badminton, netball, squash, and basketball *University of West London v University of Westminster **West London Varsity<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.westminster-basketball.com/2018/03/21/4-years-undefeated-in-varsity-over-uwl/|title=4 years undefeated in West London Varsity over UWL|date=21 March 2018 |publisher=University of Westminster Basketball|access-date=23 September 2018|archive-date=24 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180924070701/http://www.westminster-basketball.com/2018/03/21/4-years-undefeated-in-varsity-over-uwl/|url-status=live}}</ref>

====Midlands==== *Aston University v Birmingham City University ** Varsity<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bcusu.com/varsity/2018/|title=Varsity 2018|publisher=Birmingham City University Students' Union|access-date=23 September 2018|archive-date=24 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180924145032/https://www.bcusu.com/varsity/2018/|url-status=live}}</ref> *University of Birmingham v University of Birmingham Medics ** Brum Rugby Varsity<ref>{{cite news|url=https://thetab.com/uk/birmingham/2017/01/17/brum-rugby-varsity-2017-results-33110|work=The Tab|title=Brum Rugby Varsity 2017: Results|date=17 January 2017|author=Kris Burnett|access-date=24 September 2018|archive-date=24 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180924145223/https://thetab.com/uk/birmingham/2017/01/17/brum-rugby-varsity-2017-results-33110|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.birminghammedicsrfc.com/varsity|title=Varsity {{!}} Birmingham Medical School Rugby {{!}} Birmingham Medics RFC {{!}} Birmingham|website=Birmingham Medics|language=en|access-date=2019-07-27|archive-date=27 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190727110050/https://www.birminghammedicsrfc.com/varsity|url-status=live}}</ref> *University of Birmingham v University of Warwick ** Varsity Boat Race (2006 and 2012)<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.redbrick.me/rowers-claim-varsity-success/|title=Rowers claim varsity success|work=Redbrick|author=Doug Brown|date=9 February 2012|access-date=24 September 2018|archive-date=24 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180924105907/https://www.redbrick.me/rowers-claim-varsity-success/|url-status=live}}</ref> *Coventry University v University of Warwick **Varsity<ref>{{cite web|url=http://varsity.warwicksu.com/history|title=Varsity History|publisher=University of Warwick Students' Union|access-date=23 September 2018|archive-date=20 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180320074246/http://varsity.warwicksu.com/history|url-status=live}}</ref> *Derby University v University of Hertfordshire **Varsity<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.northamptonunion.com/activities/sports/varsity|title=Varsity|publisher=University of Northampton Students' Union|access-date=23 September 2018}}{{Dead link|date=March 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> *De Montfort University v University of Leicester ** Varsity<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www2.le.ac.uk/offices/press/press-releases/2018/march/leicester-leading-varsity|title=Leicester leading Varsity|date=13 March 2018|access-date=23 September 2018|publisher=University of Leicester|archive-date=24 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180924145120/https://www2.le.ac.uk/offices/press/press-releases/2018/march/leicester-leading-varsity|url-status=live}}</ref> *Keele University v Staffordshire University **Varsity (from 2001)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://keelesu.com/activities/au/varsity/|title=Varsity|publisher=Keele Students' Union|access-date=23 September 2018|archive-date=24 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180924110048/https://keelesu.com/activities/au/varsity/|url-status=live}}</ref> *Loughborough University v University of Nottingham ** IMS Varsity – between intramural sports teams<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/sport/intramural-sports-leagues/intramural-sports-leagues.aspx|title=Intramural Sports Leagues|publisher=University of Nottingham|access-date=26 September 2018|archive-date=27 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180927050436/https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/sport/intramural-sports-leagues/intramural-sports-leagues.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref> *University of Nottingham v Nottingham Trent University ** Nottingham Varsity<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.trentstudents.org/varsity|title=Mitts Varsity|publisher=Nottingham Trent? University Students' Union|access-date=23 September 2018|archive-date=24 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180924110146/https://www.trentstudents.org/varsity|url-status=live}}</ref> (since 2004)

====North East==== *Durham University v Newcastle University ** The Boat Race of the North – rowing (since 1997) *Newcastle University v Northumbria University ** The Stan Calvert Cup (1994 – 2018) *University of Sunderland v University of Teesside ** Varsity<ref name=Sunderland/>

====North West==== *University of Central Lancashire v Edge Hill University **Varsity<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.edgehillsu.org.uk/articles/edge-hill-gears-up-for-varsity-2018|publisher=Edge Hill Students' Union|title=EDGE HILL GEARS UP FOR VARSITY 2018|date=18 April 2018|access-date=23 September 2018|archive-date=24 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180924105843/https://www.edgehillsu.org.uk/articles/edge-hill-gears-up-for-varsity-2018|url-status=live}}</ref> *University of Chester v Salford University **Varsity<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.salfordstudents.com/varsity|title=Varsity's back - and this time it's personal!|access-date=23 September 2018|publisher=Salford Students' Union|archive-date=24 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180924105917/https://www.salfordstudents.com/varsity|url-status=live}}</ref> (since 2016)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www1.chester.ac.uk/news/varsity-2016-chesters-time-shine|title=Varsity 2016: Chester's time to shine|publisher=Chester University|author=Jack Mason|date=27 May 2016|access-date=23 September 2018|archive-date=24 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180924145125/https://www1.chester.ac.uk/news/varsity-2016-chesters-time-shine|url-status=live}}</ref> *University of Liverpool v Liverpool John Moores University ** Liverpool Varsity<ref>{{cite web|url=https://student-news.liverpool.ac.uk/2018/04/06/varsity-2018-everything-you-need-to-know/|title=Varsity 2018: Everything you need to know|date=6 April 2018|publisher=University of Liverpool|access-date=24 September 2018|archive-date=25 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180925104238/https://student-news.liverpool.ac.uk/2018/04/06/varsity-2018-everything-you-need-to-know/|url-status=live}}</ref> *University of Manchester v Manchester Metropolitan University ** Varsity<ref name=Independent>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/student/student-life/clash-of-the-campus-titans-varsity-for-beginners-8859432.html|title=Clash of the campus titans: Varsity for beginners|author=Rosie Collington|date=4 October 2013|work=The Independent|access-date=25 September 2018|archive-date=25 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180925072201/https://www.independent.co.uk/student/student-life/clash-of-the-campus-titans-varsity-for-beginners-8859432.html|url-status=live}}</ref> *University of Manchester v University of Salford ** The Two Cities Rugby League Challenge<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/rugby_league/s/1098294_varsity_game_heading_for_willows|title=Varsity game heading for Willows|work=Manchester Evening News|date=23 February 2009|access-date=1 October 2009|archive-date=15 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211015225520/https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/varsity-game-heading-for-willows-911335|url-status=live}}</ref> ** The Two Cities Boat Race (since 1972) – rowing<ref>{{cite web|title=Manchester wins Two Cities Boat Race - but only just!|url=https://www.manchester.ac.uk/discover/news/manchester-wins-two-cities-boat-race---but-only-just/|publisher=University of Manchester|date=15 May 2007|access-date=24 September 2018|archive-date=25 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180925141931/https://www.manchester.ac.uk/discover/news/manchester-wins-two-cities-boat-race---but-only-just/|url-status=live}}</ref>

====South East==== *University of Bedfordshire v University of Northampton ** Varsity<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hertssportsvillage.co.uk/varsity|title=Varsity|publisher=Hertfordshire Sports Village|access-date=24 September 2018|archive-date=25 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180925104351/https://www.hertssportsvillage.co.uk/varsity|url-status=live}}</ref> *University of Bournemouth v Southampton Solent University **Varsity<ref>{{cite web|url=https://portal.solent.ac.uk/events/events-articles/2018/may/varsity-2018.aspx|title=Varsity 2018|publisher=Southampton Solent University|access-date=25 September 2018|archive-date=26 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180926130654/https://portal.solent.ac.uk/events/events-articles/2018/may/varsity-2018.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref> *University of Brighton v University of Sussex ** Varsity<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sussex.ac.uk/internal/bulletin/staff/2013-14/04042014/varsity|title=Sussex takes back Varsity trophy from Brighton|date=4 April 2014|access-date=24 September 2018|archive-date=25 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180925104356/http://www.sussex.ac.uk/internal/bulletin/staff/2013-14/04042014/varsity|url-status=live}}</ref> *Buckinghamshire New University v University of Roehampton ** Varsity<ref>{{cite web|url=https://bucks.ac.uk/students/the-students-union/varsity-2018|title=Varsity 2018|publisher=Buckinghamshire New University|access-date=24 September 2018}}</ref> *Canterbury Christ Church University v University of Kent **Canterbury Varsity<ref>{{cite web|url=http://canterburyvarsity.com|title=Canterbury Varsity|publisher=Christ Church Students Union and Kent Union|access-date=24 September 2018|archive-date=25 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180925142011/http://canterburyvarsity.com/|url-status=live}}</ref> *University of Chichester v University of Winchester **Varsity{{citation needed|date=March 2019}} *Oxford Brookes University v University of Reading **Varsity<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.brookes.ac.uk/brookes-sport/news/varsity-2018---meet-the-captains/ |title=Varsity 2018 - Meet the Captains |date=19 March 2018 |publisher=Oxford Brookes University |access-date=25 September 2018 |archive-date=26 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180926090149/https://www.brookes.ac.uk/brookes-sport/news/varsity-2018---meet-the-captains/ |url-status=live}}</ref> *University of Portsmouth v University of Southampton ** Varsity Cup<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.upsu.net/whats-on/event.php?event=2018-03-11-varsity-cup-2018-southampton-vs-portsmouth |title=Varsity Cup 2018 |publisher=University of Portsmouth Students' Union |access-date=25 September 2018 |archive-date=26 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180926130723/https://www.upsu.net/whats-on/event.php?event=2018-03-11-varsity-cup-2018-southampton-vs-portsmouth |url-status=live}}</ref> * Royal Holloway, University of London v University of Surrey **Varsity<ref>{{cite news |url=http://thetab.com/uk/rhul/2016/10/04/rhul-competing-varsity-first-time-ever-10753 |title=RHUL are competing in Varsity for the first time ever |date=4 October 2016 |newspaper=The Tab Royal Holloway |language=en-GB |access-date=21 October 2016 |archive-date=22 October 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161022090818/http://thetab.com/uk/rhul/2016/10/04/rhul-competing-varsity-first-time-ever-10753 |url-status=live}}</ref>

====South West==== *University of Bath v University of Exeter **Rugby Varsity<ref>{{cite news|url=https://exepose.com/2018/02/26/live-rugby-varsity-2018/|work=Exeposé|title=Rugby Varsity 2018: No love lost as Exeter dump Bath in South West derby|author=Wil Jones|date=26 February 2018|access-date=26 September 2018|archive-date=26 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180926132239/https://exepose.com/2018/02/26/live-rugby-varsity-2018/|url-status=live}}</ref> *University of Bristol v University of West England **Bristol Boat Race **Varsity<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.varsityseries.com/varsity/history/|title=Varsity: History|work=Varsity Series|access-date=25 September 2018|archive-date=26 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180926085930/http://www.varsityseries.com/varsity/history/|url-status=live}}</ref> *University of Plymouth v University of St Mark & St John **Varsity<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.marjon.ac.uk/about-marjon/news-and-events/marjon-news/marjon-ladies-triumph-on-first-day-of-varsity-2018.html|title=Marjon ladies triumph on first day of Varsity 2018|date=23 February 2018|publisher=University of St Mark & St John|access-date=25 September 2018|archive-date=26 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180926090040/https://www.marjon.ac.uk/about-marjon/news-and-events/marjon-news/marjon-ladies-triumph-on-first-day-of-varsity-2018.html|url-status=live}}</ref> *University of Worcester v University of Gloucestershire **Varsity<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.worcsu.com/sports_activities/varsity/varsity2018/|title=Varsity 2018|publisher=University of Worcester Students' Union|access-date=25 September 2018|archive-date=26 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180926090046/https://www.worcsu.com/sports_activities/varsity/varsity2018/|url-status=live}}</ref>

====Yorkshire and the Humber==== *University of Bradford v University of Huddersfield *University of Hull v University of Teesside v York St. John University ** The Tri-Varsity (ended 2008)<ref name="York St John" /> *University of Hull v University of Lincoln **The Humber Games – inaugurated in 2014 after Hull's annual series with York ended in acrimony in 2013.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://thehullfire.com/news/hull-in-new-varsity-with-lincoln |title=Hull in New Varsity with Lincoln - the Hullfire |access-date=8 December 2013 |archive-date=13 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131213055914/http://thehullfire.com/news/hull-in-new-varsity-with-lincoln |url-status=live }}</ref> *University of Hull v University of York **The White Rose Varsity Tournament (contested from 2005 to 2011 between York and York St John University<ref name="York St John" />) was a short-lived series established in 2011. It was discontinued in 2013 due to disagreements between the two universities.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.yorkvision.co.uk/archive/white-rose-varsity-cancelled-indefinitely/08/08/2013|title=White Rose Varsity cancelled indefinitely|date=8 August 2013|access-date=19 March 2020|archive-date=19 March 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200319165915/https://www.yorkvision.co.uk/archive/white-rose-varsity-cancelled-indefinitely/08/08/2013|url-status=live}}</ref> *University of Leeds v Leeds Beckett University ** Leeds Varsity<ref name=Independent/><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.leedsvarsity.com/|title=Leeds Varsity|website=www.leedsvarsity.com|access-date=26 May 2013|archive-date=31 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150731093132/http://www.leedsvarsity.com/|url-status=live}}</ref> *University of Sheffield v Sheffield Hallam University ** Sheffield Varsity (since 1997) – the largest ice hockey varsity match outside of North America, with the event reaching stadium capacity of 9,300 for the 2025 series.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/city-region/news/city-sheffield-celebrates-25th-anniversary-varsity | title=City of Sheffield celebrates 25th anniversary of Varsity | date=24 February 2022 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/city-region/news/city-sheffield-celebrates-25th-anniversary-varsity |title=City of Sheffield celebrates 25th anniversary of Varsity |first=Andy |last=Cox |date=24 February 2022 |website=The University of Sheffield |access-date=10 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220228144720/https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/city-region/news/city-sheffield-celebrates-25th-anniversary-varsity |archive-date=28 February 2022 |url-status=live }}</ref> *University of York v York St. John University ** White Rose Varsity Tournament (2005 – 2011)<ref name="York St John">{{cite news|newspaper=Nouse|first=Jake|last=Farrell|date=21 January 2011|title=York St. John Sabbatical Officer voices disappointment over Varsity shake-up|url=http://www.nouse.co.uk/2011/01/21/york-st-john-sabbatical-officer-voices-disappointment-over-varsity-shake-up/|access-date=10 October 2015|archive-date=4 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304052906/http://www.nouse.co.uk/2011/01/21/york-st-john-sabbatical-officer-voices-disappointment-over-varsity-shake-up/|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Varsity in Ireland== *Queen's University Belfast v Ulster University **Queen's v Ulster Varsity<ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-11-06 |title=Get Behind Your Queen's Intervarsity Teams |url=https://www.qub.ac.uk/news/IntervarsitySeason2025.html |access-date=2025-06-07 |website=www.qub.ac.uk |language=en}}</ref> *University College Dublin v Trinity College Dublin ** Colours Boat Races<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ucd.ie/news/2013/03MAR13/190313-UCD-wins-three-of-four-Irish-Colours-Boat-Races-and-takes-Gannon-Cup-for-sixth-year-in-a-row.html|title=UCD wins three of four Irish Colours Boat Races and takes Gannon Cup for sixth year in a row|website=www.ucd.ie|access-date=26 May 2013|archive-date=27 March 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130327154343/http://www.ucd.ie/news/2013/03MAR13/190313-UCD-wins-three-of-four-Irish-Colours-Boat-Races-and-takes-Gannon-Cup-for-sixth-year-in-a-row.html|url-status=live}}</ref> ** The Colours Match (since 1952) – rugby union

==Varsity in Scotland== *University of Aberdeen v Robert Gordon University ** Granite City Challenge (since 1996) ** Aberdeen Universities Boat Race (since 1995) – rowing<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://local.stv.tv/aberdeen/news/sport/215544-aberdeen-uni-and-robert-gordon-uni-take-on-aberdeen-boat-race/ |title=Aberdeen Uni and Robert Gordon Uni take on Aberdeen Boat Race | Sport | Aberdeen | STV |access-date=26 May 2013 |archive-date=2 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130302063736/http://local.stv.tv/aberdeen/news/sport/215544-aberdeen-uni-and-robert-gordon-uni-take-on-aberdeen-boat-race/ |url-status=live }}</ref> *University of Abertay Dundee v University of Dundee ** The Tay Games Varsity Challenge<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://app.dundee.ac.uk/pressreleases/2013/march13/varsity.htm|title=University of Dundee : External Relations : Press Office|website=app.dundee.ac.uk|access-date=19 March 2020|archive-date=19 March 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200319165916/http://app.dundee.ac.uk/pressreleases/2013/march13/varsity.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> *University of Edinburgh v Heriot-Watt University ** Varsity Quaich – men's football, men's and women's hockey, men's rugby and rowing<ref>http://local.stv.tv/edinburgh/13618-heriot-watt-takes-back-varsity-quaich-during-this-years-games/ {{Dead link|date=February 2022}}</ref> *University of St Andrews v University of Edinburgh ** The Scottish Varsity (since 1860s) – rugby union<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.ed.ac.uk/schools-departments/sports-union/news-events/varsity-win |title=Edinburgh wins Varsity Match | News & Events | |access-date=26 May 2013 |archive-date=8 August 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130808081553/http://www.ed.ac.uk/schools-departments/sports-union/news-events/varsity-win |url-status=live }}</ref> **The Johnny Wookey Memorial Varsity – ice hockey<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.thesaint.scot/post/jonny-wookey |title=Johnny Wookey |date=24 March 2022 |access-date=9 September 2022 }}</ref> * University of Stirling v University of Dundee ** Tayforth Boat Race * University of Edinburgh v University of Glasgow ** The Scottish Boat Race (first held in 1877) – rowing * University of the West of Scotland v Edinburgh Napier University ** East v West Varsity – men's American football, mixed badminton, men's basketball, men's and women's hockey, men's rugby * University of the West of Scotland v Scottish Rural College v Ayrshire College ** West Coast Varsity

==Varsity in Wales== *Aberystwyth University v Bangor University ** Aberystwyth-Bangor Varsity *Cardiff University v Swansea University ** Varsity Shield in over 30 events,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bodbin |first=Sarina |title=The ULTIMATE Student Guide to Welsh Varsity 2025 |url=https://www.swansea-union.co.uk/news/article/susu/The-Ultimate-Student-Guide-to-Welsh-Varsity-2025/ |access-date=2025-06-08 |website=www.swansea-union.co.uk |language=en-GB}}</ref> including: ***Welsh Varsity (since 1997) – rugby ***The Welsh Boat Race (since 2006) – rowing * Cardiff Metropolitan University v University of Bath (England) ** Varsity<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thesubath.com/sport/varsity/2022/|website=Bath Students' Union|title=Varsity 2022|access-date=23 November 2023}}</ref>

== Notes == {{Notelist}}

== References == {{Reflist}}

*List of varsity matches Category:History of higher education in the United Kingdom Category:Student culture Category:Sports matches Category:Student sport rivalries in the United Kingdom Match