Over 4,000 supporters, 30+ sports, and memories to last a lifetime -Varsity 2026 delivered everything and more.
Varsity is the highlight of the sporting year, and this year, it was the University of Portsmouth's turn to host. Over the weekend of 9-10 May, our city became the stage for one of the most exciting, electric, and proudly competitive events in student sport. With over 100 fixtures across more than 30 disciplines, from Dodgeball to Dance, Basketball to Water Polo, Team UOP gave everything they had, and the result was a week none of us will forget.
Across Ravelin Sports Centre, HMS Temeraire, Langstone Sports Site, St. Paul's Sports Hall, Portsmouth Tennis Academy and beyond, thousands of students, family members and friends came together to compete, cheer, and soak up the atmosphere. While the University of Southampton won the final result 176–160, it was the closest Portsmouth has come since their last Varsity win back in 2013, and every single point was hard-earned.
Last chance to grab your Varsity 2026 T-shirt!
Keep your Varsity memories alive with one of our limited-edition Varsity 2026 t-shirts. With only a few left, now is your final opportunity to get yours! Whether you’re collecting every year’s Varsity T-shirts or it’s your final year with Team UOP, make sure you get one to mark the moment. Head down to Ravelin Sports Centre reception and pick up your discounted T-shirt for just £10! Limited stock available - don’t miss out!
Navy Varsity
Before the main event, Team UOP kicked things off in style with Navy Varsity on Wednesday 22 April - a day where we don't face the University of Southampton, but take on the Royal Navy across 13 sports. From the Climbing Wall and Squash courts at Ravelin to the pitches at HMS Temeraire, it was a full, brilliant day of competition.
The Royal Navy took Climbing, Swimming and Tennis, but our teams weren't making it easy for them. Highlights included a stunning Table Tennis victory with an amazing scoreline, wins in Netball, Athletics, Fencing, Water Polo and Volleyball, and a strong performance in Women's Football. Men's Football ended in a draw, and despite a loss in Mixed Hockey, Team UOP had done more than enough.
When the day was over, Portsmouth claimed the Navy Varsity Cup with a final score of 32–28. The perfect way to start the Varsity season!
Fixtures Leading Up to the Main Weekend
The action didn't wait for the weekend. With fixtures on Wednesday 6 May and Friday 8 May, Varsity was already well underway before Saturday arrived.
Wednesday brought some great early results. Our Men's Rugby 1s put in a strong performance, winning 32-19 at Havant Rugby Club. The Equestrian teams won both Mixed fixtures at Gleneagles Riding School, and back at Ravelin, the Futsal courts were buzzing. Women's Futsal 1s delivered one of the results of the entire week with a brilliant 17-0 victory. Also, the Darts team were on fire with a clean 4-0 win at St. Paul's.
Friday kept the energy going, with Golf 1s winning at Lee-on-The-Solent Golf Club and some hard-fought Netball action at Langstone. Heading into the main weekend, Portsmouth led the overall tally 52-44, and the stage was perfectly set.
Saturday
Saturday 9 May arrived with glorious sunshine, and for the first time ever, a Varsity Village popped up outside Ravelin Sports Centre. With food stalls, a BBQ, ice cream, a face painter, freebies, Lucozade giving out free drinks and a DJ setting the soundtrack, the atmosphere outside matched the excitement inside.
On the courts and pitches, Team UOP came out fighting. The Netball teams were exceptional. Netball 1s and 2s both won, Netball 3s put in a performance described as "absolutely incredible," and Netball 4s won 43-24. The Dodgeball teams were just as strong, winning three of their four fixtures. Football Men's 1s beat Southampton 5-1 at Langstone, while Lacrosse Men's 1s and Mixed 1s also picked up tight, exciting victories. Although Climbing didn't go our way on Saturday, the atmosphere around the wall was incredible. Spectators packed the stairs and walkways to watch, with the event brilliantly commentated by Rich Fergus, our Climbing Wall Development Officer, who kept the energy high and the crowd loud. The support between the two rival teams was something really special to see.
Vice-Chancellor Professor Graham Galbraith and Deputy Vice-Chancellor Chris Chang were both in attendance throughout the day, and fittingly, they were courtside for the match of the day - Men's Basketball 1s, a nail-biting contest that wasn't decided until the final four seconds, with Portsmouth winning 68-67. The roar in that hall said everything.
Professor Galbraith reflected on the day: "Varsity is the standout event in our sporting calendar, reflecting the commitment, pride and unity that characterise the University of Portsmouth. I was delighted to be able to attend in person this year and to witness first‑hand the outstanding atmosphere created by our students, whose enthusiasm and support were evident throughout the competition. I was very proud indeed of how our teams competed with determination and great sportsmanship, and the narrow margin of the result speaks to the strength of the contest. While the final score did not come out in our favour, the sense of community and shared achievement was clear to see. Everyone involved did a fantastic job and engaged with energy and enthusiasm, and I congratulate all those who competed and of course the University of Southampton on their victory. I look forward to Varsity next year, which is an annual competition that seems to grow in fixtures and engagement every year. It is a great example of what being part of a University community is all about."
Saturday closed with Portsmouth leading 106-98. The cup was still very much up for grabs.
Varsity is the standout event in our sporting calendar, reflecting the commitment, pride and unity that characterise the University of Portsmouth. I was delighted to be able to attend in person this year and to witness first‑hand the outstanding atmosphere created by our students, whose enthusiasm and support were evident throughout the competition. I was very proud indeed of how our teams competed with determination and great sportsmanship, and the narrow margin of the result speaks to the strength of the contest. While the final score did not come out in our favour, the sense of community and shared achievement was clear to see. Everyone involved did a fantastic job and engaged with energy and enthusiasm, and I congratulate all those who competed and, of course, the University of Southampton on their victory. I look forward to Varsity next year, which is an annual competition that seems to grow in fixtures and engagement every year. It is a great example of what being part of a University community is all about.
Sunday
Sunday brought cloudier skies, but nothing dampened the spirit. From the 8.00am trampolinists to the late afternoon Water Polo players, our athletes gave absolutely everything right to the final whistle.
There were brilliant wins across the board - Men's Badminton 1s and 2s both won, Athletics triumphed at HMS Temeraire, Men's Cricket 1s, Women's Cricket, and Men's Cricket 3 all claimed victories, and the Dance team won in the Ravelin Studios. Our Women's Table Tennis won their fixture, Tennis Women's 1s secured a win at Portsmouth Tennis Academy, and Volleyball Men's 1s and Women's 2s both won at Ravelin. The day closed in style with a strong 4-0 Water Polo Mixed win in the pool.
The final score across all fixtures: Southampton 176 - Portsmouth 160, just four wins away from a long-awaited victory.
Sports Administrator Tom Harris put it perfectly: "Varsity 2026 concluded on Sunday as the last of its 84 fixtures played out in the studios at Ravelin. The University of Portsmouth played host to Southampton in over 30 sports, with only 4 wins separating the two teams at the final reckoning, with Southampton taking the win. This true, diverse celebration of University sport was witnessed by thousands of spectators and is always regarded as a fitting end to many students' time with us. So whether representing the Dev's or the 1's, come sunshine or showers, Team UOP made memories and friendships that will stay with them for life."
Varsity 2026 concluded on Sunday as the last of its 84 fixtures played out in the studios at Ravelin. The University of Portsmouth played host to Southampton in over 30 sports, with only 4 wins separating the two teams at the final reckoning, with Southampton taking the win. This true, diverse celebration of University sport was witnessed by thousands of spectators and is always regarded as a fitting end to many students' time with us. So whether representing the Dev's or the 1's, come sunshine or showers, Team UOP made memories and friendships that will stay with them for life.
It was an absolute pleasure to organise my first-ever home Varsity. What an amazing effort from the entire team and all the clubs. It's a shame we couldn't win the trophy this time, but we were the closest that we have been since 2013! We're all very proud and hope that you all are too.
Varsity 2026 was everything student sport should be - full of passion, open to everyone, competitive and full of heart. Nadine Doble, Sport Events Officer, who organised Varsity, summed up the feeling in the team: "It was an absolute pleasure to organise my first ever home Varsity. What an amazing effort from the entire team and all the clubs. It's a shame we couldn't win the trophy this time, but we were the closest that we have been since 2013! We're all very proud and hope that you all are too."
Director of Sport and Recreation Paul Tilley shared that pride: "This year’s Varsity has been a fantastic celebration of student sport at the University of Portsmouth, with nearly 100 fixtures, thousands of participants and incredible support from fans across our four venues – Ravelin, Langstone, St Paul’s and HMS Temeraire. It has been a brilliant showcase of both the quality of our sporting offer and the positive impact sport has on the student experience. While we fell just short overall in a closely fought contest, I’m immensely proud of the commitment, passion and sportsmanship shown by our students throughout the week. My sincere thanks go to our staff for their outstanding organisation and dedication in delivering such a complex and high-quality event. Congratulations to Southampton on their victory – and we look forward to coming back even stronger next year."
Portsmouth may not be bringing the trophy home this time, but the performances, the community, and the memories made this week speak for themselves. Next year, the action moves to Southampton, and you can be sure Team UOP will be ready. See you there!
This year’s Varsity has been a fantastic celebration of student sport at the University of Portsmouth, with nearly 100 fixtures, thousands of participants and incredible support from fans across our four venues - Ravelin, Langstone, St Paul’s and HMS Temeraire. It has been a brilliant showcase of both the quality of our sporting offer and the positive impact sport has on the student experience. While we fell just short overall in a closely fought contest, I’m immensely proud of the commitment, passion and sportsmanship shown by our students throughout the week. My sincere thanks go to our staff for their outstanding organisation and dedication in delivering such a complex and high-quality event. Congratulations to Southampton on their victory - and we look forward to coming back even stronger next year.
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