The 2023 Welsh Varsity tournament will be returning to Cardiff for the first time since 2019 as student teams from Swansea and Cardiff University go head-to-head in its 25th year.
For what is arguably the biggest day on the student calendar, Varsity is a festival of sport which sees students from Swansea University and Cardiff University battle it out in more than 30 sports, including both the men’s and women’s rugby matches which will be played at Cardiff Arms Park.
Varsity has been ever-present on the sporting calendar for both Swansea University and Cardiff University since it began in 1997 and has gone from strength-to-strength each year. For its quarter-century anniversary, the sporting showpiece will be taking place on Wednesday 26 April, with more than 10,000 students cheering on the teams in the Welsh capital.
After being cancelled in 2020 and 2021 due to Covid-19 restrictions, The Welsh Varsity made a hugely successful return in 2022 at Swansea’s Sketty Lane and the Swansea.com Stadium.
Olivia Evans, VP Sports and Athletic Union President at Cardiff University, said: “It is so exciting to have Varsity back in Cardiff after four years away and I have no doubt that our Team Cardiff will be on top form for this monumental home fixture. This year we will be giving the Cardiff leg of the fixture a fresh look and feel with some exciting new developments planned for the day, we can’t wait to announce those in the coming weeks.”
Jonathan Davies, Sports Officer at Swansea University Students’ Union, said: “We’re really looking forward to this year’s Varsity and it’s set to be a fantastic day. Our teams are in great shape, are looking good, and are ready to face off against Cardiff for another huge day of student sport in Wales.”
The 2023 tournament will take place in venues across the city, including Sport Wales and Cardiff Arms Park. Cardiff will be looking to retain the shield for another year, after reclaiming it in Swansea last year.
One of the highlights of the day includes the ladies and men’s rugby fixtures, which will take place this year in Cardiff Arms Park. Cardiff University Ladies will be looking to keep the momentum up following last year’s winning performance at the Swansea.com Stadium, while the Swansea Men’s team will be looking to take home the cup for the second year in a row.
