University of Edinburgh: Scottish Varsity Rugby comes to Peffermill

Believed to be the oldest Varsity match in the world, this year’s fixture will kick-off at 3pm on Saturday 24 September, at the University of Edinburgh’s Peffermill Playing Fields.

Following last year’s ‘closed doors’ match, this year will see the return of spectators.

Students, staff and the wider communities of both Universities can register for a free ticket at the Scottish Varsity Match website.

Scottish Varsity Match

For those unable to get a ticket, the event will also be live streamed on the the Scottish Varsity Match website, allowing students, staff and alumni from both University and wider community to enjoy the game in the comfort of their own home.

An Ancient Rivalry
Formed in 1857 and 1858, respectively, Edinburgh University RFC and the University of St Andrews RFC are two of the oldest rugby clubs in the world, with only Edinburgh Academical FC claiming a longer existence in Scotland.

The fixture between the two clubs, dating back more than 160 years, is believed to predate the annual Oxford versus Cambridge Varsity Match.

The Women’s Scottish Varsity match
Equality is at the heart of both the University of Edinburgh and University of St Andrews sporting ethos and both Universities are completely committed to supporting their women’s rugby programmes, women’s rugby and women’s sport.

Since the introduction of the Women’s Varsity match in 2014, it has become clear that there is a clear disparity between the two women’s teams.

We have therefore made the difficult decision, in consultation with, and supported by, both the Edinburgh and St Andrews Women’s Rugby Clubs, that to protect player welfare and safety we will be unable to stage a Women’s Varsity fixture this year.

Both Universities will be offering alternative support during this year to their respective clubs.