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. [1] [2]
The longest-running series of varsity matches in the world is between the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge, and is a key feature of Oxford–Cambridge rivalry. [3] The University Match in cricket, which was first played in 1827, is the oldest varsity match in the world. [4] [a] The Boat Race followed in 1829. [5] The Cambridge and Oxford Athletic Games in track and field, first held in 1864, pioneered modern athletic competition. [6] [7] [8] The Scottish Varsity match in rugby union between the University of St Andrews and the University of Edinburgh is the oldest varsity match in the world in a code of football, having been first played under rugby union rules in the 1860s. [9] [b] 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. [11] The Varsity Game in basketball was first played in 1921 making it England's oldest basketball competition. [12]
Varsity matches held between Oxford and Cambridge influenced the development of college sports in the United States, [13] [14] [15] and other countries around the world. [16] [17] [18]
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. [19]
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. [20] [21] [22]
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.
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.; Edwards, Ashley (12 September 2019). "History of Sport in Cambridge: Cradle of a Leisure Revolution". www.sport.cam.ac.uk. Retrieved 17 May 2025.
most of the countries in the world still play British sports or sports that were derived from British sports
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.