‌The Welsh Varsity is a festival of sport, running from Saturday 1 April to Wednesday 5 April. The tournament sees students from 30 sports compete for the coveted Welsh Varsity Shield at venues across the city, including the Welsh Institute of Sport, the SSE Swalec and Cardiff Arms Park.

Cardiff will be looking to retain the shield for another year, having taken it home every year since it was introduced. The event culminates with the showcase Ladies and Men’s rugby fixtures in front of a crowd of thousands at the Principality stadium on the evening of Wednesday 5 April. Swansea University Ladies will be looking to avenge last year’s defeat whilst the Men’s team will be looking to repeat last year’s performance and take home the Welsh Varsity cup.  

Picture: the victorious Swansea team celebrate their win in the Liberty Stadium in 2016 

Elin Harding, VP Sport & AU President at Cardiff University, is enthusiastic about the tournament returning to home ground this year: “I am really excited that the Welsh Varsity is returning to Cardiff this year and it promises to be the highlight of our sporting calendars. It is great to see and support so many students competing at national stadiums and I hope that we can continue our unbeaten record in the Welsh Varsity Shield. It is exciting that we are introducing a number of new venues and have been working hard to ensure that this year will be the best year to date.”

Robyn Lock, Sports Officer at Swansea University Students’ Union, added: “Varsity is always my favourite time of the year. As a student I would enjoy the preparation, the training, the intensity, the nerves and the competition. It's a day filled with excitement, passion and performance. It showcases both Swansea and Cardiff’s student athletes and it lets people enjoy sport. Sport has the ability to bring people together and although there is the natural friendly rivalry, Varsity has the ability to unite Welsh sport. I am filled with excitement for this year’s Varsity and I can't wait to see the day unfold in raw Welsh passion.”

The tournament will start with a rowing competition on Saturday 1 April, with the Men’s and Women’s Novice and Senior squads battling for the spoils.

A single ticket gives access to all events and will go on sale on Wednesday 1 February.