About Varsity

Contributions from Andy Cox, published in the Sheffield Telegraph and Ollie Mitchell, published in Forge Press.

Sheffield Varsity began in 1997 when sporting teams from the city's two universities competed against each other in the first coordinated tournament of its kind. From there it snowballed, and now Sheffield Varsity is believed to be one of the biggest Varsity competitions in the UK.

Around 1,000 students from both the University of Sheffield and Sheffield Hallam take part in over 70 sporting events in venues across the city, cheered on by more than 15,000 spectators. Competitors will take part in over 30 sports, from boxing to rowing, athletics to ice hockey, and waterpolo to lacrosse. Sheffield Varsity is the city’s own Olympic games, with the team scoring the most points overall claiming victory for the year.

For two weeks each year, both campuses turn the colours of their respective teams: black and gold for the University of Sheffield, and maroon for Team Hallam. The fierce competitive nature between the teams is clear, and the electric atmosphere of the tournament cements it as a milestone in the Sheffield student experience.

Sheffield Varsity 2025 kicks off on Wednesday 19th March with Basketball and Netball at Canon Medical Arena

Tickets go on sale on Monday 27th January