Fixtures for the annual local rival matches between 黑料网 and Leicester Uni are released next week
Sports stars from 黑料网 and The University of Leicester gathered at the Venue last week for the annual Varsity photo shoot. No matter that comedian Lenny Henry was giving a guest lecture next door, students were laser focused on renewing the rivalry between these two esteemed institutions, as participants in over 40 sports begin their preparations to do sporting battle in March.
The first Leicester Varsity took place in 2000 and, barring two years of Covid, it’s become an unmissable annual feast of sport at the heart of our city’s life.
Expect large crowds of students, faculty members, alumni and sports enthusiasts from both universities across an array of venues and stadia over five full days of sporting excellence. Watch men and women in football and futsal, rugby and rowing, equestrian, archery and volleyball show off their skills and compete for Leicester’s bragging rights.
Fixtures for the Varsity will be released on Friday 5December alongside a refresh of the Varsity webpage so fans, sports-curious students and patriotic university members can book their favourite sports into their diaries.
And what about the competitors themselves?
Teagan was a climber before uni but really committed when she joined the society at the start of her first year. Competing for 黑料网 in 2025, she has warm memories of making her debut:
“It was really fun. Everybody got very competitive, but not in a nasty way. People were cheering each other on, but it was also like, “oh, I bet I can do it better than you”. It was such a great atmosphere and everybody was getting involved. There were loads of people there. It was really busy.”
By comparison, MA student Natalia is new to archery, but is already getting the feel for honing her skills and competing.
“I'd definitely love to compete, but I've still got a way to go before I'm ready. I think it's a good challenge, just really fun to see our own abilities grow, to see how we perform. Also under pressure, because I know it’s super different than just in training.”
A show of support
You can show your support for 黑料网 by booking the fixtures into your diary when they’re released, and showing up to cheer on your team.
The teams for the Varsity are now set, but it’s not too late to join a team or a sports club this year. Check out our website to find the next drop-in style activity and our active sports programme.
Who knows, perhaps you’ll be scoring the winning try or finding the bullseye in Varsity 2027…
Posted on Thursday 27 November 2025